AllFreeNovel
Share Us
His lips curled in appreciation, and he ran his hand along his beard, feeling the soft black strands between his fingers.
“All right, then. So, it seems you only work at Kroger as far as employment, right?”
“Right.”
“What hours do you work there?”
“Fulltime. Usually third shift start at midnight, but my schedule is different.”
“Mmm hmm.” He’d already noticed that.
“It’s from ten to six. My boss let me do that ’cause she understands I’m raisin’ my niece, and need to see her off to school.”
“All right, good. So, here are more details about the position, baby.” He set his cigarette down in the ashtray, placed the phone down on the desk, on speakerphone, and leaned forward, steepling his hands. “Eli is a friend of mine, like I told you. He was born like you and me, normal, but he got hit by a car when he was young, and it messed him up. He had to have a lot of surgeries, learned to walk again and what not, but his brain was never the same. He understands things just like you and me, meanin’ you could read him an article from the newspaper, and he’ll get it just fine, word for word. In fact, he reads the Wallstreet journal and talks to me about the articles sometimes. The problem comes when he wants to have a conversation. Like I said during our first chat, you gotta really pay attention because his words occasionally sound jumbled, even though he can speak just like us, as far as full sentences, answering and asking questions, things like that.”
“All right, I understand.”
“He is in an adult living center so I can make sure he’s safe. I am payin’ top dollar, above and under the table, to ensure that. I’ve got a million eyes and ears on him, but that doesn’t mean he’s happy. Being safe and bein’ happy are two different things.”
“Yes, I agree.”
“Iris, in some ways, Eli is an old soul. In other ways, it’s like dealin’ with a cantankerous child. He likes comic books, coloring, kids’ television shows. Then, on another hand, he loves good music, an occasional beer, and the man can play chess and kick ass at it, too. He can have deep conversations, talk about almost anything—you just—”
“Gotta listen.”
“That’s right.”
“He’s smart, just like your niece. Real good at word puzzles, any kinda puzzle, really. Eli is sensitive though, but instead of being like me and tellin’ whoever said something we didn’t like to cut it out, he’ll go and tear up his room, scream like a banshee, things like that. He doesn’t hit people, but sometimes, he will hit himself. Does that sort of thing freak you out?”
“No. I got family members wit’ special needs. Seen it all my life.”
“Okay then. He’s also on a couple medications, but the nurses handle that. So, what I’d want you to do is visit him at the home. Talk with him. Play games. Have lunch with him sometimes. Take a walk with him. He’d like that. You can drive him somewhere, too, but just ask him first. Don’t assume he wants to go. Like, offer to go to the zoo for example. He likes the zoo, but there’s one animal he hates, and he was this way before the accident.”
“What animal?”
“Eli is afraid of ducks, so don’t take him to no pond with ducks in it. If you do, you’ll be damn sorry you did.”
“Okay.”
“You think that’s funny, don’t you? That this grown man is afraid of ducks?”
“Now if I did, would it matter?”
“It might.”
“Look, sir. I didn’t laugh now, did you? And you already know the thought of it’s kinda funny, or you wouldn’t have asked. Irrespective of any of that, I’m not a jerk. My mama and auntie raised me better than that, and I’m not sadistic. I’m not gonna take that poor man ’round no ducks when you just sat up here on this phone and told me he ain’t fuckin’ wit’ Donald or Daffy under any circumstances.”
Jude burst out laughing and his stomach quaked.
“Girl, you’re funny. I like that… I like that a lot…” They got quiet on the phone, listening to each other breathe.She’s got an attitude problem, but that’s all right. Havin’ a bad attitude means somebody hurt her. That can be fixed…He liked how she sounded, and the way she pronounced her words. He loved her when she was quiet, for in her silence, he could envision kissing her… tasting her lips… making her cum…
“We’ll do a test run for two weeks and see how it goes. I want you to spend at least an hour with him each visit. The minimum visits are two times a week, just during the workweek—no weekends since he already has activities scheduled on Saturdays and Sundays. But let both me and him know the schedule in advance. No popovers at the last minute. You understand?”
“Yes.”
“I’d be payin’ you $50 an hour to start, just like I told you, and if he and I are satisfied, it’ll go up to $75.00 after three months. I’ll also give you money for any food you have to buy, tickets for any movies you might take him to, and gas you have to spend. Just keep the receipts, and I will reimburse you.”
“All right.”
