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It was midday now and the sun was high overhead. Surprising her, it’s warmth on her shoulders was causing her to perspire under her sweater. She always wore a sweater over her house dress, summer or winter. Glancing quickly over at Grace she saw her brow was glistening with damp perspiration too. She thought she noticed a slight pallidness under her friends wrinkled, dark skin.
Thinking to herself Grace was just a might overdressed in this heat for the walk? Still, at their ages she reflected to herself, it was no more than proper attire for a lady. Along with the heavy leather shoes with square, one inch heels, and the ever present hats. Some, she knew wore those silly, new fangled “sneakers”. But she and Grace didn’t agree with what they genteelly scoffed at as “children’s shoes”. After all, a lady presents herself properly! Even ones penniless like Grace (leaving herself out). It just wouldn’t do, going “downtown” in view of friends or neighbors without dressing properly.
The sun cast deep, shady pools beneath the big maples lining the sidewalk up the steep hill. Walking between them it was hot! Normally the long walk back up the hill was something she endured with a modest sense of pride. Even at her “advanced age” (as her daughter laughingly referred to it, makin’ her smile) she rarely stopped to rest. She’d worked at the sewing mill 38 years and never needed a “ride” to get there!
Still, she thought how helpful it might be if the “city fathers” provided a few benches along the streets? The town’s older citizens could use a place to sit and rest in the heat. Wouldn’t cost that much, would it?
Walking was part of her nature and though her gait had slowed, her pride caused her to straighten her shoulders, again. Having to sell the car after her husband’s passing a few years back (God rest his dear soul) had nothing to do with it! She’d done that to avoid borrowing money from her daughter to cover those exorbitant “final expenses” (letting her daughter think “insurance” had covered those). Unknown to her daughter, that’d long since been borrowed against, to pay his hospital bills. It was enough that she gratefully cashed that $100.00 money order her only child faithfully sent, second week every month.
But right now she was thinking maybe it hadn’t been such a good idea, Grace coming along this morning? The mile or so down the hill had taken them nearly two hours. Stopping to rest as Graces’ still ailing hip had begun to bother her more. The trip back up was turning into a real ordeal.
Starting out just after 8 a.m., Grace had insisted that her hip was “... near good as new...!” It’d been many long months since she’d fallen and Grace seemed anxious to come along. But her aging friends words seemed now more like hopeful bluster than reality?
It’d been since before last winter that Grace had been able to join her on these walks into town. She realized how much it made Grace feel left out, not going with her. How important it was just seeing people. Being able to say “Hello” to their few old friends still remaining in this hard, lonely world. Grace had said with a big smile, that today was a good day! Finally going together once more to the church-ladies food pantry across town. She’d show the doubters she was still among the living!
Now nearing their dilapidated apartment house near the top of the hill they rested, leaning against a neighbor’s fence. Glancing over again at Grace, she was sure she wouldn’t ask her to walk into town again soon. Her friend was tired. A wan smile was all Grace managed as they began the last few steps to the backdoor apartments.
Helping Grace up the final steps to her apartment, she’d put away the few canned goods, cheese and other staples. Leaving to go downstairs to her own apartment, she’d turned to Grace, and said goodbye.
Then, surprising both of them, she wrapped Grace in her arms in a long embrace. Turning quickly away to go, she hoped Grace thought it was just a drop of perspiration she dabbed at on her own cheek?
Startled awake late that night, she couldn’t look out when she heard the ambulance stop in the street out front. She sobbed softly into her pillow..., and thanked God for Grace.
I Don’t Know About You..., but I’d bet there are folks nearby who need you to lend ‘em a hand.
Cal Teeple, sole member of the Observational Cogitation Consortium, often found three stools down from you. He may now also be ignored, accosted (or commented to) on the Web! Simply Go To: wayneindependent.com/cal.
It was midday now and the sun was high overhead. Surprising her, it’s warmth on her shoulders was causing her to perspire under her sweater. She always wore a sweater over her house dress, summer or winter. Glancing quickly over at Grace she saw her brow was glistening with damp perspiration too. She thought she noticed a slight pallidness under her friends wrinkled, dark skin.
Thinking to herself Grace was just a might overdressed in this heat for the walk? Still, at their ages she reflected to herself, it was no more than proper attire for a lady. Along with the heavy leather shoes with square, one inch heels, and the ever present hats. Some, she knew wore those silly, new fangled “sneakers”. But she and Grace didn’t agree with what they genteelly scoffed at as “children’s shoes”. After all, a lady presents herself properly! Even ones penniless like Grace (leaving herself out). It just wouldn’t do, going “downtown” in view of friends or neighbors without dressing properly.
The sun cast deep, shady pools beneath the big maples lining the sidewalk up the steep hill. Walking between them it was hot! Normally the long walk back up the hill was something she endured with a modest sense of pride. Even at her “advanced age” (as her daughter laughingly referred to it, makin’ her smile) she rarely stopped to rest. She’d worked at the sewing mill 38 years and never needed a “ride” to get there!
Still, she thought how helpful it might be if the “city fathers” provided a few benches along the streets? The town’s older citizens could use a place to sit and rest in the heat. Wouldn’t cost that much, would it?
Walking was part of her nature and though her gait had slowed, her pride caused her to straighten her shoulders, again. Having to sell the car after her husband’s passing a few years back (God rest his dear soul) had nothing to do with it! She’d done that to avoid borrowing money from her daughter to cover those exorbitant “final expenses” (letting her daughter think “insurance” had covered those). Unknown to her daughter, that’d long since been borrowed against, to pay his hospital bills. It was enough that she gratefully cashed that $100.00 money order her only child faithfully sent, second week every month.
But right now she was thinking maybe it hadn’t been such a good idea, Grace coming along this morning? The mile or so down the hill had taken them nearly two hours. Stopping to rest as Graces’ still ailing hip had begun to bother her more. The trip back up was turning into a real ordeal.
Starting out just after 8 a.m., Grace had insisted that her hip was “... near good as new...!” It’d been many long months since she’d fallen and Grace seemed anxious to come along. But her aging friends words seemed now more like hopeful bluster than reality?
It’d been since before last winter that Grace had been able to join her on these walks into town. She realized how much it made Grace feel left out, not going with her. How important it was just seeing people. Being able to say “Hello” to their few old friends still remaining in this hard, lonely world. Grace had said with a big smile, that today was a good day! Finally going together once more to the church-ladies food pantry across town. She’d show the doubters she was still among the living!
Now nearing their dilapidated apartment house near the top of the hill they rested, leaning against a neighbor’s fence. Glancing over again at Grace, she was sure she wouldn’t ask her to walk into town again soon. Her friend was tired. A wan smile was all Grace managed as they began the last few steps to the backdoor apartments.
Helping Grace up the final steps to her apartment, she’d put away the few canned goods, cheese and other staples. Leaving to go downstairs to her own apartment, she’d turned to Grace, and said goodbye.
Then, surprising both of them, she wrapped Grace in her arms in a long embrace. Turning quickly away to go, she hoped Grace thought it was just a drop of perspiration she dabbed at on her own cheek?
Startled awake late that night, she couldn’t look out when she heard the ambulance stop in the street out front. She sobbed softly into her pillow..., and thanked God for Grace.
I Don’t Know About You..., but I’d bet there are folks nearby who need you to lend ‘em a hand.
Cal Teeple, sole member of the Observational Cogitation Consortium, often found three stools down from you. He may now also be ignored, accosted (or commented to) on the Web! Simply Go To: wayneindependent.com/cal.
