Abe starred out at the sun-drenched parking lot and muttered to himself. The view was nothing worth looking at for more than a second. Still, he had been sitting in an uncomfortable, but nice looking, chair in the nursing home’s lobby for more than two hours. People came and went, cars shifted about, all the while he watched with mounting irritation and worry. I know it’s today, He thought for the hundredth time, I checked my calendar when I woke up and after lunch right before I came out here. He has to be here soon. I know I had the wrong day yesterday but I got confused. Today I’m certain, I’m certain.
The antiseptic smell of medical grade cleaners and the incessant prattling of a midday talk show drifted from the halls and rooms behind him. Abe was looking at the clock yet again and contemplating the arduous trek back to his room when he felt a gentle nudge against his calf.
“Well hello Gus,“ Abe said looking down at the aging beagle who’s green bandana proclaimed its job as a therapy dog. “Grown tired of watching the ladies play cards have you? Well, you are more than welcome to sit and stare out the window with me.” With that Abe patted his lap and Gus lept stiffly up, barely making the jump and floundering a bit before settling. Abe petted with a steady rhythm and spoke in a calming voice that had Gus asleep in under a minute. When Abe felt the dog’s heavy breathing he grinned for a heartbeat then turned his attention back outside.
He was on the cusp of giving up the wait, of walking to his room to call his daughter and check his calendar when a glint of sun caught his eye. From the far edge of the parking lot emerged a beautiful monster. A mile of shimmering paint and dazzling chrome. Abe smiled. A torrent of memories cascaded in his mind as the iconic old car gracefully slid into a parking spot right in front of the door. He sat up with a jolt that woke Gus and sent him wobbling onto the floor. A young man in skinny jeans and a flannel shirt got out of the car and walked towards the nursing home. Just before reaching the door the man paused and pulled out his phone. Abe nearly went crazy with excitement as the young man stared at the phone for what seemed an eternity, thumbs flying around. At last, he put his device away, screwed on a smile, and came inside.
“Seth!” Abe cried out and his grandson walked through the door. “I was afraid I had gotten our day mixed up again.”
Abe gripped his cane with both hands and with a few muffled grunts, and grones worked himself first to the edge of the chair then up onto his feet.
“Hello grandpa,” Seth said in a pleasant tone as he strode over and wrapped his arms around Abe, “Nope you had it right this time. Ready to go?”
“Ha,” Abe chuckled, “I have been ready since yesterday.” With that Abe gave Gus one last pat and told him what a good dog he was before the two men made their way outside two the car. As Seth was getting the door open and the cane stowed, Abe spotted Gus watching him through the window. Abe gave him one final wave and goodbye, just in case. With all the smoothness of a rusty saw blade, Abe lowered himself into the seat and waited for Seth. When Seth set down he pulled out his phone and tossed the black rectangle on the seat between them. Abe ran his hands over the car’s worn leather and shining wood.
“How’s the old girl running?” Abe asked with genuine interest.
“Oh she’s doing great grandpa,” Seth replied, “I actually just changed the oil and put new brake pads on, but other than that it is running like new.”
“Well, I sure do appreciate you busting me out of that awful home and taking me for a drive. It’s so stale and boring in there, so many people just waiting to die.”
“Oh, now grandpa it isn’t all that bad. Y’all do lots of fun things and you can spend all day watching sports. Also, this was your car for thirty years before you gave it to me so you are welcome to all the rides you want. Plus, my girlfriend loves this thing so
I owe you big time.” He said with a wink before getting serious again, “How are you doing? Mom said you have been down ever since Rodger died.”
“Your mom worries too much,” Abe replied gruffly, then let out a sigh and continued, “But she isn’t wrong, one by one my friends have died off and it seems like so long since your grandma passed. Rodger was the last of the old gang and now I am alone.”
“Grandpa!” Seth exclaimed clearly upset, “that isn’t true at all. You have a family that loves you dearly and the nurses at Shady Cove think you hung the moon. I have seen you around this place, you might as well be the mayor the way the other residents look up to you.” Abe smiled and patted Seth on the shoulder,
“I know, I know and I love all of you more than I could possibly tell, but it simply isn’t the same. Everyone I knew when I was your age is gone. What was once a shared experience between friends is now nothing more than a tired old story that bores young people. What had been a hopeful future is now a rapidly fading past. Its people that make life worth living and the hope of a new adventure. All of the people I was so close to in those early days when the world was fresh and infinite and ripe for the taking have passed, leaving me alone with a broken body and a failing mind. I sometimes think that these days people live too long, that maybe it would be better if we died while we could still fully live. Ah, listen to me, jawing away and subjecting you to the ramblings of an old man.”
“That’s ok grandpa, I would say I understand but that wouldn’t be true. These days have to be hard for someone who has had an amazing life like yours. Why don’t we crank up the car and go have an adventure?” Abe laughed and said,
“That sounds great to me, and I can promise you one thing, this will be a day to remember.”
They cruised out of the nursing home parking lot and down the road. The sun was gleaming and around them spring was emerging on every bush and tree, re-covering the mountains in pale green leaves and dotting the fields with brightly colored wildflowers. A short way down the winding two-lane road, Seth pulled into a lonely looking gas station with only one working pump. Coasting past the pump with the out of order sign, Seth stopped and put the car in park.
“Sorry Grandpa,” Seth apologize, “I completely forgot to fill up before I got you.”
“That’s ok,” Abe replied pulling twenty dollar bill out of his jacket pocket, “I tell you what, why don’t you take this and top it off on me.”
“Oh you don’t have to do that Grandpa, I wanted to take you out today, it’s on me. Besides, where did you even get that money?”
Ha, your Grandpa still has some tricks up his sleeve. I know you can cover it but I’m tired of feeling useless. You will make my day if you let me do this for you.”
“Alright,” Seth relented, “Thank you.” Then he got out of the car and started filling the tank. When the job was done Seth got back in and fired it up.
“Do you like ice cream sandwiches?” Abe asked with no preamble.
“Well yeah” Seth blurted enthusiastically, “What kind of person doesn’t?”
“Good, Why don’t you take this,” he slipped a five from his jacket, “and run inside to get us each one.” Seth grinned and took the money, then reached to turn off the car but Abe interjected,
“Please leave it running, it is awfully warm out today.” Seth got out and walked into the gas station. Abe watched him closely, waiting until his back was turned before he unbuckled his seatbelt and got out of the car. Endeavoring to be quick, but only managing short steps, Abe clutched his cane, shuffled around the hood, and opened the driver’s side door. He tossed the cane in not really caring where it landed, and, with no small amount of difficulty, slid down behind the wheel. Not bothering to buckle up, Abe put his foot on the brake and gripped the wheel with both hands. Just the feeling on his fingers brought life and energy back to his long-dormant limbs. Afraid that hesitating too long would not only get him caught but allow sensible thoughts to dissuade him, he reached up and shifted the car into drive. The idle of the engine changed. When he let up the pressure on his foot the car rolled effortlessly forward. Abe’s heart pounded and a bead of sweat ran down his forehead. It had been over a decade since he had last driven a car, a fact the was foremost on his mind as he pushed the gas and started to really go. As he steered toward the road he glanced back into the store to see his grandson at the register paying, completely oblivious to the fact that his car was being stolen.
“You have always been good to me Seth,” he said aloud, “and I am truly sorry to do this to you, but a man has to live until the very moment he dies. I hope that you will understand.” He reached the edge of the parking lot and his first big decision, right or left. He could not remember what lay in either direction, even though Seth came by on a semi-regular bases to take him out for drives. A van was coming in the far lane and he had no intention of slowing down now. So without a second thought, Abe cut to the right and out onto the twisting ribbon of worn asphalt. No cars were in sight and he rolled down the window before mashing the gas. The wind swirled furiously around the cab as the car lept forward and forced Abe back into his seat. At first, it was almost more than he could handle. Years of moving at a snail’s pace had left him completely unprepared for this eruption of speed and power. For a moment he let the car fly, let it accelerate and eat up the road. Happiness filled Abe’s soul as trees and houses whipped by in a blur. All too quickly a curve came and he slowed down, but the euphoria continued to course through his veins unabated. He laughed out loud and started to sing, the world was ahead of him once again.
Just One Quick Story 