Page 16 of Bound By Consequences
“I know, and no I have no clue what’s going to happen. But know this, just like bein’ out in the field, I’ll do my damnedest to come back home.”
A stray tear left my mom’s eye just as my dad returned. I couldn’t get a read on his face.
“Meeting is moved until tonight,” he ordered, looking at me, then to my mom. “Gotta run. Club business.” He leaned down and kissed my mom on the lips and then took off.
Memories of the past crashed into me. My father leaving. My mother crying. Feeling left out of the fold at every turn. But this time, it was different. There was no pain. There was no guilt or anger in my father leaving. There was just my dad going out to take his brothers backs.
I wished I’d have seen this before.
“Sounds good.”
My mother smiled. “We can spend the day together!”
“Sure, but I’ve gotta go get the keys to my place and go to the storage unit.”
Her nose scrunched a bit. “Not liking you not living here.”
“Grown man and need my own space.”
She sighed. “Fine, but we’re spending time together today!”
That was what we did, spending the day together and getting into my new place.
6
Ensley
This place always smelled good.They changed it every time I stepped into the building. Today was a fall scent with some kind of pumpkin apple combination and maybe some kind of marshmallow or something. It was divine.
Some people thought going into an assisted living home, the smell of death and despair was all around. Nope. Not at the Rosewood where my friend Gladys lived. This place was like a ten-star resort that I’d love to come for a vacation. Instead of that, we just visited and enjoyed it from afar.
Remy tugged on my finger, then put her arms up in the air to be picked up. I lifted her and positioned her on my hip as I turned to the woman on duty. “Hi. We’re here to see Gladys Withendal.”
“Hey, Ensley!” Reba, who’d known me since I started coming, came from the back room, wiping her hands with a paper towel and totally ignoring the receptionist.
“Hey, Reba. How are things?”
“Good! And you brought Remy today! Gladys is going to be so happy.” Reba clapped her hands excitedly. She’d worked here for years and absolutely loved her job. Some people just acted like they enjoyed what they did every day, when they really didn’t. Reba did, hands down.
“Geee…” Remy squealed, kicking her legs. It was the closest she'd come to saying Gladys. It was a very hard name for a little one. Therefore, Geee it was. Remy loved her Geee.
“She is too,” I said with a smile.
“Go on in. I’ll get you down.” Reba went to the computer, and the buzzer to the inner door sounded. I hustled to the door, pulling it open just in time. Remy squirmed knowing exactly where she wanted to be.
“Hang on. We need to go see Gladys, and then we can play.”
“No…” Remy whined, and I kneeled to her eye level.
“Yes. We need to see Gladys first or we have to leave. They won’t let us play without Gladys.” This was partially the truth and a little white lie. We wouldn’t have to leave, but that was only because they knew us here. The playground in the courtyard was Remy’s favorite thing to do. It was for all the grandkids who would come to visit.
“Pay!” Remy called out, and several of the men and women turned. Most were used to Remy; she was young. But some didn’t like the noise much. We just went along with our business.
Remy looked at me for long moments, then calmed when she put her head on my shoulder. She had a short fuse, but it burned out quick.
It was one thing I hoped she’d keep through the years, at least the burning out quick part.
We made it to Gladys’ room and knocked softly. There was no answer.
