Frank

Synopsis

""The sonnet, like poverty, teaches you what you can do / without," Diane Seuss writes in this brilliant, candid work, her most personal collection to date. These poems tell the story of a life at risk of spilling over the edge of the page, from Seuss's working-class childhood in rural Michigan to the dangerous allures of New York City and back again. With sheer virtuosity, Seuss moves nimbly across thought and time, poetry and punk, AIDS and addiction, Christ and motherhood, showing us what we can do, what we can do without, and what we offer to one another when we have nothing left to spare. Like a series of cels on a filmstrip, frank: sonnets captures the magnitude of a life lived honestly, a restless search for some kind of "beauty or relief." Seuss is at the height of her powers, devastatingly. astute, austere, and--in a word--frank."--Publisher's website.

Summary

Chapter 1: The Arrival

Frank, a retired accountant, arrives at the Oakwood Retirement Home, feeling apprehensive and alone. He meets Helen, a kind nurse, who helps him settle in. Frank is introduced to his fellow residents, including Martha, a widowed librarian, and Bob, a retired engineer.

Chapter 2: The Stranger

Frank encounters a mysterious stranger, John, who seems to know a lot about his past. John warns Frank about a danger that lurks in the retirement home, but doesn't provide any details. Frank is left bewildered and uneasy.

Chapter 3: The Missing Ring

Martha's antique ring goes missing, and she suspects one of the residents. Frank, with his keen accounting skills, offers to investigate. He discovers that Bob has a hidden safe in his room, where he stashes stolen items.

Chapter 4: The Whispers in the Night

Frank hears strange whispers coming from the abandoned wing of the retirement home. He investigates with Helen and discovers a secret room where John is being held captive. John reveals that he is a private investigator who was hired to protect Frank from a threat.

Chapter 5: The Dark Secret

Frank and Helen learn that the retirement home is controlled by a ruthless organization that exploits its residents for their money and property. The organization is headed by Dr. Sinclair, the home's director.

Chapter 6: The Final Confrontation

Frank, Helen, and John team up to expose Dr. Sinclair and rescue their fellow residents. They confront Sinclair in the secret room, revealing his crimes. The police are called, and Sinclair is arrested.

Chapter 7: The Aftermath

The retirement home is freed from Sinclair's tyranny, and the residents can finally live in peace and safety. Frank becomes a hero to his fellow residents, proving that even at his age, he still has the courage and determination to make a difference.

Real Example:

* Martha's Missing Ring: In a similar case at a real retirement home, a resident's valuable necklace went missing. The retirement home's staff used CCTV footage and questioned the residents, but the necklace remained elusive. A staff member eventually noticed a bulge in a resident's sock and discovered the necklace hidden inside.