Silver Bells

A woman in a fuchsia pullover hurries over, distressed. She is nonverbal, but Nadine knows that this loveseat in front of the Christmas tree -- now occupied -- "is her favorite spot." Nadine helps the newcomer settle into the plump cushions, then hands her a baby doll from a carriage parked in the corner, knowing that the patient raised three sons and wants to cuddle only the boy dolls. She will sit, cooing and content, for hours in front of that tree.

Nadine's grandmother had a story she always told at Christmas, about the pine tree and why it stayed green all year round. It was a poem, Nadine thinks, and the way she remembers it, God had gathered all the plants and animals together, "to give them their duties."

"The Creator told them: 'You'll sleep when wintertime comes,' " she recounts. "And the pine tree was curious, and asked the Creator: Do you sleep or slumber when winter comes? And the Creator said, 'No, my child, I never sleep or slumber." And so the pine tree begged to keep watch, too, and was given a green coat of armor to shield itself against the cold.

It's almost dinnertime on the third floor, and Nadine must keep watch on the elevators. A code has to be entered to make the doors open, but still she worries about the residents who tend to gather there this time of day, when light fades and Alzheimer's patients become more agitated, a condition known as sundowning.

Virginia Moates appears with her handbag, her lipsticked mouth pursed with worry. She kisses Nadine on the cheek, as if to say goodbye. "I want to go home now," she says. Nadine hugs her back, gently leading her away, inviting her to come have some supper. Nadine returns to find another elderly woman weeping in front of an elevator, and repeats her evening ritual.

Betty Plack seeks her out next, ready to go, but it's the daily trip she's intent on.

"Should we be going now?" she urges.

"No, after dinner," Nadine answers, "I promise, I wouldn't leave you."

Christmas is coming, and she has something special planned tonight, an outing to a Maryland observatory, where together they will all search for the North Star, tracing its path across the dark winter night.