by Matt Shea
The doughnut shop had a busy day with its five o'clock closing time moments away. The last customers left the establishment a half hour ago with the utensils already cleaned. The old clock on the wall that a flour vendor donated forty years ago would tick the final ten seconds. Holding hands, the trio counted out loud. “Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three two, one!”
Immediately Mary turned the cardboard sign that dangled over the front door from; 'open' to 'closed' and locked the door. Harold turned off the majestic red neon sign on the roof that read, “West Hill Doughnut Shop”. The forty year enterprise that became a landmark was officially closed.
The married couple that weathered all those years with their hard work hugged in relief. They challenged the American dream and got it! Teddy could hear the sniffling of tears as they embraced with the realization of what they had accomplished.
It was time to count the money in the register, empty the safe, clean counters and sweep floors. Like clockwork, they quietly attended their assigned chores. In twenty-five minutes they were finished. It was now the simple task of gathering their coats, jackets and other apparel, turn off the lights and lock the back door.
Once they were outside Harold inserted the key into the deadbolt that protected the back entrance to the shop. He turned it smoothly and secured the metal door. Looking down the block he saw a light on the top floor of a high-rise apartment. That was home and it served as an additional surveillance for the family business.
It was time to celebrate with dinner out on the town. Teddy's favorite restaurant was selected and there he would have his favorite meal; a bacon-cheeseburger with French fries. The nephew was also paid for his labor. “Thank you, Uncle Harold!” said Teddy as he received the token of appreciation. Dinner was enjoyable as life's stress and anxiety left the Barton's life. Home would be the next stop.
It was eight o'clock in the evening when they entered the apartment on the top floor. Teddy was accustomed to staying in their guest room. He entered the dwelling with his luggage and closed the door. Moments later the bedroom door opened with Teddy entering the living room in his pajamas. His Aunt lit up the Christmas tree lights making the room festive. The happy nephew sat on the sofa and admired his surroundings. He was always grateful to be staying with his aunt and uncle. There were even times when he wanted to stay there forever- with his grandmother included.
“Teddy, would you like some hot chocolate before bedtime?” asked Auntie Mary.
“Mmm, I'd love that!” exclaimed the excited boy.
“So would I!” remarked Harold.
Teddy was warm, happy and simply enjoying a quiet ending to a great day. His auntie Mary returned with three cups of hot chocolate topped with whipped cream. She placed three coasters on the coffee table and rested the hot cups on them. The three picked up their cups and made a toast to their retirement and having Teddy staying with them. The precious moment was savored with funny stories rotating amongst them. Soon the thick white porcelain mugs were empty and it was time for bed.
Teddy went into the bathroom and brushed his teeth. He returned to the living room and hugged his aunt and uncle good night. The tired guest went to his room and climbed into bed. He said his good night prayers and fell fast asleep.
Mary woke up at four o'clock out of habit. She was quiet being hopeful that she wouldn't wake up her husband. He too was already awake trying not to disturb her. Each became aware of the other and laughed.
“Well, I guess we're up,” said Mary in a humorous tone.
“I'll make some coffee,” said Harold.
Mary put on her bathrobe and slippers, following her morning routine. She would first go to their deck and brave the cold morning. She slid open the glass door that allowed access and stepped on the deck, closing the plate glass behind her. Mary leaned over the railing and looked at the aging brick structure on the corner. Harold slid the glass door open and joined Mary, closing it behind him. He arrived with two cups of hot coffee, handing one to her. Together they hugged and looked at the glistening Christmas lights that lit up the neighborhood. Their doughnut shop was now just a dark silhouette.
This was the best time of the day where silence reigned. The only activity was a gust of wind swaying branches and the scratching sound of dried leaves whisking on the icy pavement below. Soon the haze of dawn would greet a new day.
This morning would be different with no schedule to keep. The retirees could have another cup of coffee, kick back and relax. It was now five in the morning; the time when their shop usually opened.
A movement down below caught their attention. A car slowly pulled in front of their shop and stopped briefly. Its driver must have read the sign on the front door, reading; “Out of business due to retirement”. It quietly drove away.
Soon the regulars gathered at the bus stop. A scout left the party to carefully look through the dark windows of the vacant pastry shop. There were no signs of activity inside. Slowly, the dejected pedestrian returned to confirm the bad news. The small gathering at the bus stop seemed to have changed. They appeared to be individually secluded and impersonal.
Harold and Mary didn't know how to feel at that moment. It wasn't that they didn't like to bake or get up early in the morning. Unbeknownst to them, Teddy was also up and watching them from the living room. The mature boy felt that they were going through an adjusting period and knew to respect their privacy.
The sun began to rise over the distant mountains with the city coming to life. Traffic lights on the roads leading to town increased as the noise of the city began to take over. It was time for the elders to go inside and start breakfast.
“Good morning, Teddy,” said his aunt with a surprised tone. “Did you sleep well last night?” she asked.
“I slept fine, Auntie Mary,” said the nephew.
“I bet you would like a bowl of oatmeal with raisins and brown sugar,” said Harold.
That was Teddy's favorite meal for breakfast. “I'd like that a lot!” answered the boy.
Breakfast seemed more quite than usual. Teddy noticed that his aunt and uncle seemed to be running out of things to say to each other. It seemed that they wanted something to do, but didn't know what. Whenever Teddy made a comment it seemed to perk them up.
After breakfast each went a different direction. Teddy went in his room, changed into his clothes and watched the television set provided there. Harold went into the living room and watched the news. Mary got out all of her old high school annuals and photo albums. The lonely senior placed them on the dining room table and started to thumb through the memories.
This first day of retirement didn't seem significant at all. In fact, it was boring. The couple did their daily chores as mundane conversations arose. It was as if they had nothing to do, or worse yet; nobody to share anything with. Teddy sensed a depression developing between his aunt and uncle. He noticed how they would stare at one another as if they were trying to ask, “Now what?”
Teddy was already fighting a depression of his own. It was the holidays and he could only notice the happiness that normal families were having. He saw parents playing with their children and felt all alone. He felt denied not knowing his parents and questioned if he was even meant to exist.
Teddy decided to soul search. He knew the neighborhood and many of the shop owners. He would take a walk and wisely reach out to seek advice.
He asked his aunt and uncle if he could go outside and walk the neighborhood. He promised to be back before dinner time. “That's alright, Teddy,” said his aunt. “Make sure that you bundle up and stay warm,” she said.
“Be sure to stay safe, Teddy,” cautioned his uncle.
Teddy was enthused now that he had something to do. He knew that such visits usually brought a touch of adventure and taught lessons. “I promise to stay out of trouble,” said the responsible nephew. He hugged his aunt and uncle, put on his coat and earmuffs and left.
***
Teddy started his journey by wal
king down the street and evaluating himself. He knew that he was different from all the other kids. He felt awkward being bigger, heavier and only being able to afford cloths from thrift stores. He felt a stigma being raised by his grandmother, without any contact from his real parents. It also bothered him that they often had to relocate to cheaper housing to survive on her fixed income. This always put him at the status of being 'the new kid in school'.
The young man was in deep concentration over these hardships. All at once his thoughts were interrupted by someone yelling out his name.
“Teddy!” called out a familiar voice. It was, Gregor, a local rock and roll musician that worked at the gas station across the street. Gregor had a gift for relating to younger people- like Teddy. He would be the perfect guy to get advice from.
Teddy was at a corner with no cars traveling nearby. He crossed the street and in a loud voice said, “Hi, Gregor!”
Gregor was happy to see Teddy. The long blond haired man with rich brown eyes and barreled chest gave Teddy a man's handshake. “I was hoping that you would come by to see me,” the grown man said. “I know that you always stay a week with your aunt and uncle this time of year.”
A black air hose that lay across the lot had a car drive over it, signaling a bell. This alerted Gregor that a customer had arrived. “I have to go for a minute,” said Gregor. He approached an old Pontiac driven by a gray haired sixty-six-year-old woman wearing a flowered hat from the 1950's. “What can I do for you today, Mrs. Willows?” asked Gregor.
The spunky woman answered, “I need three dollars of regular gas.” The senior handed Gregor three dollars and leaned back in her seat.
Teddy watched Gregor pump gasoline into her gas tank as the revolving numbers kept pace with the amount owed. The three dollar figure was passed at maximum speed with more fuel being pumped into the gas tank. Gregor randomly stopped with the balance at seven dollars and fifty-eight cents.
“We're all done here, Mrs. Willows,” said Gregor in an accommodating tone.
The grayed haired woman on social security started her car and leaned towards the fuel gauge. “Mercy!” she exclaimed. “I have more gas then I realized.”
“Well good!” remarked Gregor. “You have a nice day, Mrs. Willows.”
The woman was smiling and said, “You do the same!” She cautiously drove off.
Teddy looked at Gregor nodding his head in approval. “You bought Mrs. Willows extra gas because she needed it,” commented the boy.
“Well, not exactly,” said the tenant. “My boss will cover that, but I do extras in return.” Teddy focused on his older friend and wanted to hear more.
“This is a small town and we need to help each other out a bit to survive,” said Gregor. “If you go a little further to make things nicer for someone, it makes everything better for everyone.”
The forty-two-year-old man bent over and looked at Teddy. “It's like your families doughnut shop. They are known for caring for everyone in this neighborhood. In-turn, people go out of their way to pick up any litter that's around it. They also shovel the snow off of their walkway during the winter time and they are always seated first in any restaurant they go to around here. It's called respect and doesn't always have to cost money.”
Gregor continued, “I always wanted to be a famous musician. My dream got to the point where I forgot about caring for others. That made me go nowhere. Now, I am actually a member of this community and have a job. I also get to play my music at weddings, parties, street fairs and taverns. People even give me small change when I perform. I actually achieved my goal as a musician when I accepted that I would never be rich, but could still care about others.”
Teddy was absorbing this lesson. It reminded him about his own life and what he had to accept. Gregor had more to say. “Do you want to know what I do with the money I get for playing music?” he asked. Teddy nodded his head up and down. “I spread it around, just like your aunt and uncle do,” said Gregor. “I tip the barmaids in the taverns I play at. If someone needs a small handout, I might be able to give a bit. I even take my boss out to dinner sometimes as a way to thank him for having this job. There were times when I was broke in this town, but I was never hungry or homeless.”
Another car drove up to the pumps. Gregor said, “I have to go now. It's been nice talking to you and I hope you come by again.” He patted young Teddy on the shoulder giving reassurance. With dignity, the musician approached his next customer.
Teddy had food for thought realizing how important it was to care about others. He continued down the street to the malt shop to visit another friend; Walt Evans.
The visitor needed no introduction, “Teddy!” called out the proprietor, “I heard you would be in town this week. I am so glad that you dropped by.”
Teddy loved Walt, and trusted the short, jovial man with the crew cut and waxed mustache. He took the fight to Walt.
“Walt, can I share a problem with you?” asked Teddy.
Walt erased his smile and walked up to his young friend. With sincerity he got close to Teddy and patted two bar stools that faced his counter. The shop had no customers and the setting was perfect for a heart to heart. They sat down next to each other and swiveled the stools facing one another. With direct eye contact the shop owner whispered, “What is it?”
Teddy began to explain that he always felt different from all the other kids. He used his appearance as an example.
Walt said, “I think I know what you are talking about.” He asked Teddy to turn around for a moment. The boy followed the instructions. “Now turn back,” said Walt. Teddy spun one hundred eighty degrees and faced the malt shop owner. Walt was leaning over with his hands pressed firmly on the counter. His paper hat was shifted off to one side covering his left eye. “What color are my eyes?” asked Walt. Teddy stared at his right eye and saw a blue eye concentrated on him.
“Blue,” said Teddy.
“Now turn around until I tell you to look at me again,” said Walt. Teddy followed the instructions and spun the opposite direction and stopped.
“Now turn around,” said Walt. Teddy pivoted around.
This time his hat was repositioned, covering his right eye. “What color are my eyes now?” asked Walt. This time Teddy was staring at a brown eye.
Teddy said, “Brown.” The boy realized that Walt's eyes just changed color, or so he thought. “How did you do that?” Walt removed his hat giving the answer. His eyes were different colors!
“You see, Teddy,” explained Walt. “In one way or another, we all are different; and that makes all of us the same.”
Teddy was amused by the demonstration. It also made him feel better about who he was.
“Now I have a problem that I need to share with you,” said the kind man.
“What is it?” asked Teddy.
“I need to get rid of some ice cream,” said a happy Walt. “Why don't you help me with this problem and let me make you a sundae.”
Teddy sat up tall with a smile. Walt continued, “If my memory serves me correct; you like hot fudge.”
An anxious Teddy nodded his head up and down.
A hot fudge sundae was served with a pile of swirling whipped cream topped with a cherry. It also had a small candy cane sticking out of it. “Thanks, Walt!” exclaimed Teddy.
“You are quite welcome, my friend,” said the jolly man. “I want you to enjoy that while I make an important phone call.”
Teddy savored the treat and finished it just when Walt returned from his call. “I have another surprise for you,” said Walt.
“What is it?” asked Teddy.
“Do you know the Heyden twins?” he asked.
“No, I don't think so,” said Teddy.
“You know Sam, don't you?” asked Walt.
“Sam the barber?” asked Teddy.
“Yes,” said Walt. “Sam also has a twin that's visiting him at this very moment. I shared with them the problems that you and I have about feeling different. They fe
el the same and want to share their story with you.”
Teddy got excited and said, “Neat!”
A flock of customers entered the ice cream parlor. “I am going to leave now, Walt,” said Teddy. “I will visit you again this week.”
“Thanks for visiting me,” replied Walt. “You are always welcome here. Bye, Teddy!”
“Bye, Walt!” said Teddy as he walked out to the sidewalk. His trek would only last a few seconds because Sam's barbershop was only two doors away. It appeared that another wise-old friend would give guidance and share advice.
