Page 5 of Care: Part 1

CHAPTER THREE

Care for Goodbye

As soon asshe got out of her taxicab for the second time that day, she walked over to the hotel elevator. Immediately, she was welcomed by the sight of Mr. John Jones. The moment he saw Avelina, he smiled brightly at the young woman as she got into the elevator.

"Hi, John. Your children came home today, right?" She asked him.

Mr. John Jones quickly realized that she was the only person who would try to strike up a conversation with him in the building. Everyone just treated him like the scum on the bottom of the Earth, but Avelina was different. She cared and remembered things like the day before when he told her that his two daughters would finally come home for college today.

"They haven't arrived yet. On my lunch break, I plan to go pick them up at the airport.”.

"Really? Are you excited?" She exclaimed cheerfully as he pressed on the button to get her to Miss Paola's room.

"Very excited. I've been waiting to see my girls for a year now.”

She walked up to him and embraced him in a hug. "I'm excited for you! That's amazing. Alexa and Dani sound like amazing people. They're fortunate to have you as a father.”

The elevator doors dinged, alerting her that they made it to her floor.

Avelina pulled away from the hug and patted him on his shoulder before turning around and walking away.

"Thank you, Avelina. I didn't realize how much I needed to hear those words until now.”

Avelina walked down the hall and towards Miss Paola. The older woman was in the living room doing yoga. The second she saw Avelina, she rolled her eyes and turned her attention back to the television, which broadcasted a yoga instructor.

"Good afternoon, Miss Paola," Avelina spoke before walking over to her refrigerator and checking to see if she had all the groceries she needed.

Avelina made sure to stock Miss Paola’s food up two days ago and was happy she still had enough food to last a week or two.

She then walked into her bedroom and made Miss Paola's bed. No matter how hard she tried not to, Avelina formed a connection with each person she took care of—especially Miss Paola. It would hurt too much to leave her,

"What is wrong with you?" Miss Paola asked.

The woman walked past Avelina with her yoga mat in her hands.

Avelina sighed sadly and sat down on the floor before patting the space beside her for Miss Paola to sit.

"I am not sitting on no damn floor when the bed is right there," Miss Paola stated.

The woman walked over to the bed and sat down on top of it.

Avelina smiled and realized that Miss Paola’s attitude was what she was going to miss most. The woman seemed to have never cared how anyone felt about her words. She always spoke her mind.

"Today is my last day.”

Avelina couldn't even glance up at Miss Paola because it would break her. Her sadness was beginning to fill her emotions, leaving her to frown.

"What? I thought your contract was going to last for three months," Miss Paola spoke in disappointment.

Avelina walked over to Miss Paola and sat down on the bed beside her. She let her head rest on the woman's shoulder.

"I've been offered another job. I'm sorry, Miss Paola, I wish I could stay.”

"Is it money? I can give you more money. I know that I've been rude, but it's the way I've always been. That's why I'm single and successful. Plus, I may not look like much now, but I was once hot, too," she grumbled sadly.

Avelina pulled her in for a hug as the woman just awkwardly patted her back.

"No, I love your attitude. It always makes me smile. As for the money, it's okay, Miss Paola. Just make sure you tell your next caregiver that you must be asleep before midnight, or you'll be cranky for the rest of the week. Also, your food must be given to you before ten, or you won't eat anything.”