All I was thinking about were the new chairs.
I pulled up, and all I was thinking about were the new chairs.
He had suspenders on. Button up white shirt tucked in his over sized black pants. A sweet 80 year old man. He looked like he wanted to come down his porch steps to greet me. But he stopped. Soon, to find out he does not walk so well. So I came to him. Half way up the drive way I greet him by his name, Charlie. He smiles and slightly yells from his step, "You are a beautiful young lady!" I thank him and tell him his house is beautiful. We go inside.
The chairs are sitting next to the door. Charlie beckons me to sit in them. He assures me they are quite comfortable, and he wasn't wrong. Once sitting, I look around the old house. Smells old. China cabinets are clutter with antique Disney collectibles. Papers litter the table. Things are quite a disarray.
"My wife, she now has Alzheimer's, and she is in a new place that has the things she needs. It is 4,000$ a month to keep her there. But I want the best for her."
His wife's name is Helen.
I apologize for his situation, which feels weird. But I didn't know what else to say. But just to give him the most comforting smile I had.
"I just can't keep this house up with out her. I have to get rid of some stuff."
I tell him that the chairs will be well loved. He takes me around his house, showing me the things his wife once loved. China. Lace curtains. Vases. Ceramic collectibles. And roses.
Charlie apologizes for not being able to help me put the chairs in my car, his strength isn't what it used to be. But in return, he will pick me one of his wife's roses. To help pay for my gas that got me there. And I can't stop smiling.
Putting the chair in my car, I look over the hood, to see Charlie with a large rose. In a glass vase. My heart melts.
"Please take this vase. My wife would love you to have it." And with that I give him a big hug. Something so strange about hugging a stranger. But so real. Charlie tells me he hasn't had a hug like that in a long time.
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