Meet the Love Sleuth

"New Hope Care Center" the simple oval sign stated. Marking the entrance, it had been placed at the apex of the broad curving drive that was lined with sturdy maple trees. When Gerilee Serilium came to work that Thursday in August, she read the sign. "New Hope Care Center--" Pausing, she said, "I like the name. I think my next question for Mrs. Waterson will be to ask how she and her late husband chose the name." Gerilee experienced serenity, even with the early morning sound of mowers in the spacious front lawn. Mr. WWW III stood beside the open limo door and noticed the sign. "New Hope. This may be my last hope." Suddenly, the memories flood into his mind--Fritz in Bio 101, their dream of a care center together. This time, though, when the memories came, he could no longer ignore them and shove them aside. Then the repeating question that always followed, "Why? Why? Why?" But there was never an answer. The question uppermost on his mind today was, what if Margaret, good as she was, could not handle his mother's constant screaming? Inside the care center, at room 397, Mrs. Waterson saw William. When he turned to flee, she called out to him, "Oh no! You don't run now! Erica, take him to the quiet spot. I will meet with him out there." New Hope opens a door to possible change and freedom. Freedom? But from what? Anger? Suspicion? Torn emotions? Rejection? Lost dreams? Enjoy the journey with me as a variety of screamers meet the love sleuth.

"I like it already," the lady mumbled, stepping just inside New Hope's front door. "I hope we can get some help here." "I'm sorry," the receptionist said, "but I didn't catch what you said." "I like it already. The grounds and the gardens are so well kept. The entire layout around this beautiful home fits. When I saw the sign, New Hope Care Center, and the dove on top, I felt a surge go through me. It reminded me of the dove sent out from the ark and God's promise in the rainbow. And I remember that He promises us that we will not have more than we can carry, although, sometimes, like this with Connie, it seems to be more than we can carry. But that surge whispers a possibility of hope. New Hope here in this beautiful place." Dr. Petersen asked, "Where is Connie at present? What is her condition?" "At our home. We have full-time round-the-clock nurses to care for her. Doctors come to the house. Her spirit is broken. She is in and out of awareness. Sometimes she just stares ahead. At times, she screams the same things she did at the hospital. The doctors told us she lost the baby. We haven't told her that yet. Treatments, doctor comments, medications are recorded in her file as well as their prognosis. No apparent possibility for improvement," she whispered. "There's always hope," Doreen said. "Believe me, I know. There is always hope." Enjoy the journey with me as a wider variety of Screamers: Meet the Love Sleuth.