Rosalie Dickson Boileau

Butterfly Bruises Rosalie Dickson Boileau

Set in a care facility for the elderly, the narrative follows the lives and relationships of two unlikely friends; Agnes, a retired operating room nurse, and Teresa, an ex-Vegas show girl. The opening sentence will draw you in - Agnes loves the smell of her own flatulence, like an old friend who comes to visit that nobody likes but you. Teresa's granddaughter Jessie visits Sundays, smuggling in contraband of cigarettes, vodka, and the occasional edible laced with cannabis oil. On Mondays, the old gals rendezvous at a bench hidden by a small grove of cedar trees, to share the treats. Timely in light of our aging population, the story touches on sensitive subjects such as elder abuse, end of life, and domestic violence, however, it is peppered with laughable moments.