She thought that she had been a fairly good mum; both of the kids had turned out ok. They were in stable relationships and all had good jobs. And as for her husband she felt that they had been happy and contented with their life. She had not asked for a lot just that when and if it was needed she was not put in one of those places where lots of others were put. She had always liked her own company and could not stand to be stuck with people; there had always been a quiet contemplative side to her character.
Her family were thinking about moving her again, she had always liked this place up the road and she was looked after very well. She had loved the gardens as she had passed on her way to the shops. They had put her in her best clothes and her hair was done as nice as it ever was. Mind you she was not too sure about the makeup! The family did not realise that hearing was the last to go and she could hear them all talking and discussing her as though she was not there. Sarah her daughter was crying and saying that it was not what mum wanted, the trouble was everyone was so emotional and the woman in charge was being so officious. All she seemed to care about was extra money for this that and the other.
Sandy herself knew that it was only until the 22nd just ten days left, so why on earth could she not have what she wanted. As she listened to them trying to weigh up what was right Sandy thought all this upset to save a few hundred pounds. What was the point of her being so careful with her money and being very clear with what she wanted if no one was going to take any notice? The manager was getting more and more insistent a decision would have to be made and if the family did not want to pay the extra then Sandy had to be moved.
She again pointed out to them if they were not going to be visiting on a regular basis then Sandy was best off at the hub where many stayed for their last days. Her husband Phillip said that the family would discuss it tonight, an agreement would be reached and he would be back in the morning with the family's final word. In they all trooped again and gave her a kiss, Sandy was so angry she could spit. They needed to be taught a lesson and somehow she was going to do it, the question remained how and what could she arrange?
The problem was that the reasons the manager gave were so logical and economical, little did the family know that her bonus was fixed according to how many she could centralise. Costs and overheads were reduced and profits increased as did the individual bonuses. Deep down Sandy believed that the family would come to the right conclusion; anything other than her own expressed wishes had to be a bad decision. The pale woman lying there recognised that the suddenness of the situation was what had put the family into total confusion. She must admit she was also totally amazed at the course of events and of the outcomes, but the 22nd loomed ahead.
Into Sandy's mind popped two films: Blithe Spirit with Rex Harrison and Ghost with Whoopi Goldberg, now why had her subconscious thrown these two into her mind. They both had shown people with the power to affect their surroundings but what indeed was their relevance to her position here. Clearly to influence Phillip and the kids something had to happen, laying here was she able to affect things at home? Then the penny dropped and she realised the ghostly type characters were all such strong people, all determined to get what they wanted. So maybe that was the commonality, she had to become more determined than ever before the rest of her life depended on it. Sandy went into action.
The next day as promised Phillip returned to see the manager, his mind seemed more determined and focused than he had ever been. Firstly he came and spoke to her and even knowing that she could not answer he told her everything would be fine. Bending down kissing her he told her how much he and the kids loved her. Sandy relaxed and knew her wish was about to be granted. She could hear the attempts at the manager's persuasive cajoling but Phillip had found his bottle and he was clear and firm. Sandy was to stay where she was until the 22nd and a member of the family would be there every single day until then. Sandy rested in contentment
The manager was perplexed as she had clearly thought that she was on a winner, no staffing costs here and increased profits at the centre. She had felt sure the family would move Sandy after all she just laid through the following days she spoke to the family she was gradually told the story of the time that everything went bump in the night. That in fact the family had been unable to sleep as the garden lights went on and off, the electric lights flashed and the home seemed beset by random power surges. The electricity board were called out, but could find nothing wrong. They determined that it had been a very isolated and localised incident. Sandy knew now her days were finished here and it was time.
On the 22nd Sandy watched down as her family collected the coffin with her body in and it was off to the crematorium. Her spirit was sailing high above and she thanked her family for not putting her into the central bank of bodies. She had loathed the idea when she was alive never mind when she died and found out that your spirit only faded gradually from your body. All those other spirits trying to have a conversation with her that really would have done her head in. Thanks Phillip for making a bad decision into a good one.