Good Life: Who Says

Good Life: Who Says

David C. Russell

“Greg and Donna, you are at the point where you must make a decision to move,” Dr. Simons said, tone firm, expression stern.

“We love the seasons and our grandchildren are here,” Donna said.

“Your grandchildren could easily come visit you in Arizona. They have airports, train stations, bus stations or…”

“Or our kids can bring them and mooch off us more,” Greg added.

“Winter has become too harsh for both of you. Your respiratory condition now calls for action on your part. Don’t delay anymore,” urged Dr. Simons.

Greg and Donna had been diagnosed with respiratory conditions and suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Snow, ice, caring for a ranch-style home on a good-sized piece of land had increased in challenge to maintain over the past few years.

“Simons laid it on thick, don’t you think?” Greg asked as they enjoyed lunch at a favorite café.

“We’ve heard it all before,” Donna said, sighing as she spoke.

Arriving home, they had a piece of mail that seemed timely. It was from an organization in Tempi, Arizona, Young Retirees Unite. Greg and Donna were in their mid fifties, and married after graduation from St. Clair County Community College in lower Michigan.

“Donna, listen to this,” Greg said, adding, “Young Retirees Unite is an organization and community. We help newly retired couples or widows settle into the golden years with ease and near seamless care. We will be holding a webinar on Thursday to tell all, show all, and answer all pertinent queries about our gated community.”

“Is there a time given for the webinar?”

“Three p.m. The web address is included,” Greg answered.

Seated before their computer kept in the den, they held hands while viewing the webinar, or created notes on their respective mobile devices.

“There’s something that sounds too good to be true,” Donna said at the halfway break-point.

“I know what you mean. I noted to ask about utilities and home problems during the Q and A,” Greg said.

Greg posed his questions to the presenters, and was assuaged to some degree as a result.

“Our homes are all inspected, under fifteen years, new appliances, cleaned regularly, sprayed for pests occasionally, wiring and building codes maintained, etc.”

Greg and Donna made plans to fly out and visit the Young Retirees United community in six weeks. They invited another couple, Jodi and Mike, to accompany them. The airline were offering a major discount to couples and foursomes flying to and from the same destination. Was this meant to be?

“Maybe we can get in a few rounds of golf,” Mike said.

“Yeah, we’re going to be out there for four days,” Greg replied.

Donna and Jodi talked about shopping trips and sites to see in and around Tempi during their spare time.

Afew days before the trip was to begin, Donna had begun to experience frequent shortness of breath when doing even small activities. They went to see Dr. Simons, who prescribed them a stronger liquid-based medication to help arrest wheezing and coughing symptoms. “I suggest you take this while out there. I’m giving you a ten-day regimen, so you should be covered well. I’m glad to see you two are following my advisement,” he said.

“This place we are looking into seems a good fit for us,” Greg said.

“Let me know how you’re doing and the findings from your trip when back home. You two are a couple I have enjoyed doctoring with over the years,” he said, smile wide, tone warm.

Within one week, the four of us were on our flight headed to Tempi, Arizona. The short-term stay would be on the Young United Retirees organization’s dime. “They get it back in member dues,” Jodi said.

“Yeah, it’s nice to know that all we pay for at this point is our air-fare,” Greg replied.

“

On landing at the airport outside Tempi, temperatures were warm, air dry, setting of course desert-like. We drove to the provided address, and were on location within the hour of having left the airport.

“Accommodations are nice, surroundings fairly quiet,” Jodi said.

“Hey look,” Mike said, adding, “There’s a group on the course.”

“Looks a bit challenging,” Donna said.

“The guys will be up for it,” Jodi quipped.

Condominiums were the provided housing. A building for visiting guests contained six units on three stories, two per story. Entry was by key-card, which we had received in the mail. It would be turned into the office on our departure.

Each unit had wall-to-wall carpeting, two bedrooms, queen-sized beds, bath facilities shared, and the standard kitchen amenities.

A folder lay on the dining room table that outlined planned meetings during our three-day stay. Afternoons and evenings were unscheduled so to formulate our own agenda.

“Wouldn’t you know, we get the hottest part of the day to be leisurely,” Donna said.

“Get an early start on a summer tan,” Jodi said.

“You look for a silver lining in just about anything,:” Donna quipped.

“Beats the alternative,” Jodi shot back. Donna’s facial expression reddened all but for a couple short moments.

Mike said, “I hoped you ladies may hold your differences in check until return home.”

The next morning, we were in the clubhouse with other guests, and the “laissez-faire” approach and manner by mid-morning had become the beginnings of a three-day sales pitch.

“My name is Jose,” said a middle-aged, well-dressed representative of the organization, adding, “We will always be honest and up front with our guests and members. We’ve been in the business for fifteen years, and that in and of itself says something.”

In the afternoon, the ladies stayed at our unit while Mike and Greg went to putt some balls around the facility golf course. Donna had a low-grade Migraine, and Jodi contented herself to read, made salads for early dinner, and chatted with friends back in Michigan.

The evening, the four played some hands of Uno, and turned in so to be fresh for day two. Donna was feeling somewhat better. “If it gets too heady in there, I’m coming back to the unit,” she said.

“Try to stay for it all. We both have to make this decision before we return home,” Greg said.

Donna sighed, saying, “I know; I know.”

The next morning, Jose greeted the guests and laid out the program for day two. “We’ll talk utilities, community policies, membership dues, etc.”

Mike, an hour later, excused himself to return to the unit. He had onset of stomach pain, something he labeled “hurts-like-hell heartburn.”

Though Mike and Jodi were early into the exploration of retirement options, they would be staying put for a couple more years. Donna said, “I think Mike is already missing our Friday card parties.”

“Maybe, but his life is active enough nonetheless,” Jodi replied.

When all returned to te unit, a note by Mike lay on the table I am at the Wellness Center in Tempi. I expect to be back by the late afternoon.

As the girls decided to go visit the shopping district, I went to the pool with a book both to relax, sun, and swim a few lazy laps.

Mike did return while we were out, and reported stress was the reason for his GI upset. That evening, we joined other couples for an informal meet, greet, and acoustic entertainment held in the clubhouse patio. Events like this were said to occur frequently for this community. Lawn-chairs were strewn about, and plastic-topped tables for groups of up to six added to the casual tone.

The next morning, day three, not only featured Jose as presenter, but other staff circulated among the guests to both offer refreshment and measure interest in potential condo purchases.

“Talk to the two sitting at the next table,” Mike said. He pointed toward us, adding, “We’re along for the ride this time. Their doctor advised them to consider Arizona for health reasons.”

We were tended to by two staff for the rest of the morning.

That afternoon, Donna and Greg viewed what was called our ‘potential condominium’. It appeared fresh, clean, appliances under three years, real estate terms reasonable to us.

After a couple hours deliberation, Donna and Greg met with the sales personnel to begin the purchase process. “We can move here in October, (three months) and escape an oncoming Midwest winter,” Greg said.

“You showed us what you called a potential home. Can the unit shown be our planned home?” Donna asked.

“Fairly likely, yes, fairly likely,” stated the agent with a slight nod.

The next three months were full of transition activity around the move: final visit with their doctor, listing and selling their current Michigan home, making down-payment on the condo, packing and moving.

When they were escorted to their new unit by the sales agent, entered the premises, they were dumbfounded to find disarray.

Together, they gasped. Greg said, "What on God's green earth have we fallen for?" Tears filled Donna's eyes and ran down her face.

Carpenter ants scurried about, termites had appeared to chew gouges in some of the interior woodwork. Greg and Donna both remained statuesque on making this discovery!

End