Are You Alright Mister Lawrence?

by James Alexander

  Chapter 3

  “I see why I never stopped here with you before going to the home.”

  “You are so impatient Mister Lawrence. You want to go already? We just getting started.”

  “That’s what you said at the last house. But. Hey. Don’t let me hold you back Shirley. I’m just tired. Actually, I don’t know why I’m so tired; I didn’t used to be.”

  “I don’t know what it could be Mister Lawrence. It’s not like you have not been getting any sleep. Now that I think about it, you been going to sleep earlier lately. You also been napping more often. You trying to keep dreaming that dream aren’t you Mister Lawrence… Oh! Look out now.”

  “What! What’s happening?”

  “Nothing is happening over here. I was looking at that child across the way about to walk into the street. There was a car driving down the road and the driver was paying too much attention to his cellphone to even notice the child.”

  “What a shame? Is the child alright.”

  “Yes. Yes Mister Lawrence. Wow. I need to calm down. My heart is still racing. But, about the child, he’s running back to that yard sale. If he is not careful then he may run into that table.”

  “Did he just run into the table?”

  “Yes. You heard that too huh. That is one hard headed child. He is not crying or nothing.”

  “I didn’t hear it. That child and table are standing out from the darkness.”

  “Not this again Mister Lawrence. So I guess I still stand out from the darkness too then.”

  “Well, no. Not since we walked into the flea market. There were so many people around us that you didn’t stand out anymore.”

  “You are the only person that couldn’t notice me in a crowd Mister Lawrence. I’m big as a hippo.”

  “Come on Shirley. I don’t like when you talk like that. Now go on. Go look around. I’ll be fine in this rocking chair.”

  “It looks like you two are interested in these chairs. Mam, that rocking chair would make a lovely gift for your husband.” the home owner said.

  “Husband! Oh no mam. I am his caretaker. How old do I look to you?”

  “You don’t look old mam, it’s just… you two look so comfortable with each other.” the home owner said.

  “What would I look like marrying someone that much younger than me?” Mister Lawrence said.

  “You say that like I’m one of those youngins. I’m about fifteen years younger than you.”

  “Well… I shouldn’t have said that. I am so sorry. Please ignore me and keep looking around.” the home owner said.

  “I have wanted to ask you about that painting over there.” Shirley said.

  “The one with the horses.” the homeowner said.

  “No. The one behind it. With the mountain.” Shirley said.

  “That’s a pretty one. I just love how the mountain does not over power the landscape.”

  “I just want a painting with a mountain on it for my den but that’s a good point I guess.”

  “It’s priced to sell so let me know when you’re ready to make your purchase.”

  “Do you think that painting would be—

  “Mister Lawrence look out!” Shirley shouted.

  ________

  “Uhhh. What happened?” Mister Lawrence though. “Ouch. My head... Where am I? Hmmm. The last thing that I can remember is walking toward that child and the table.” Mister Lawrence sat up. “Is this, a bed? When did I—”

  “He just moved. You just moved. Are you alright Mister Lawrence?”

  “Shirley. Is that you?”

  “He alive! He alive... Ijuwanasayiisawray Mister Lawrence. Ijuwanasayiisawray! Mister Lawrence! Peefagimi! I sawrayiisasawray! I shunamayagodea Mister Lawrence! I shunajetukyahome! Ahhhhhahhhahhahhhhahhh!”

  “Mam. Mam. Mam! Calm down.” The doctor said after he ran into the room.

  “What is going on?” the nurse said as she entered.

  “I am glad to see you here. Please get her out of here. She’s hysterical.”

  “Yes doctor.” The nurse said before escorting Shirley out into the hallway.

  “Mister Lawrence. How do you feel right now? Are you in any severe pain?” the doctor asked.

  “No. Not really. Just a headache.”

  “Good. I mean not good that you have a headache but good that you are not in any severe pain from the accident.”

  “What accident?”

  “I don’t know any other way to tell you this but you was hit by a lift bus while crossing the road.”

  “Really. I don’t remember getting hit by a bus. I feel fine. See. Let me just… oh there it is. My arm is beginning to hurt now. I should’ve just stayed still.”

  “On a scale of one to ten, one being slight and ten being intolerable, how much pain is your arm in right now?”

  “Don’t let me scare you doctor. This is nothing. What’s going on with Shirley?”

  “She blames herself for your accident. Nothing that we told her has convinced her otherwise. She has not left your side since you were placed in the ambulance. We tried to get her to leave since it’s getting late but she insisted that she stay here until you recovered. You have someone special there Mister Lawrence. Is she family or a good friend or what?”

  “Shirley is my caretaker. She been with me since I moved into the group home. You would think that I knew her my entire life but I have only known her for about a year. Shirley is just a caring type of person. She’s like this for everyone in the home that she helps out.”

  “Are you sure about that? She really seems to care about you. We don’t get many visitors that would have done what she did, even for family. You may not see it but please, at the very least, tell her that you appreciate what she does for you. We wanted to thank her for being here but it would mean more if you told her.”

  “I feel much better now.” Shirley said as she entered the room.

  “That is good to hear Miss Shirley. I will leave you two alone. I’m sure you have much to talk about.” The doctor said before he exited.

  “I am sorry Mister—”

  “Don’t apologize Shirley. I did this to myself.”

  “But how can I be a caretaker and not take care of your wellbeing. You could have died Mister Lawrence. Died. I am just sick to my stomach thinking about that painting. If I was not so focused on myself then I would have noticed you get up.”

  “You deserved to go to that yard sale. It was the least I could do for you since you have to put up with me.”

  “I’m used to the way that you all treat me at the home. You don’t have to make excuses for me Mister Lawrence. I was in the wrong and you deserve better. That’s why I’m leaving. After you get out, I will—”

  “Shirley! Listen to me Shirley. Having you in my life is the best thing that could have ever happened to me. You have done more for me in the short time that I have known you than most people I have known my entire life. I’m sorry for not telling you this before. You know that I’m just a stubborn old man. I couldn’t bare living if another amazing woman in my life was gone.”

  “Wow Mister Lawrence. You really know how to make a woman feel better… Oh thank you Mister Lawrence. You don’t know how much your words mean to me. I am just, glowing right now. You could probably see it.”

  “Well… I think I do. You’ve been rocking back and forth this entire time.”

  “Yes I have but you know I always do that when I am anxious. You know you can’t see anything. Are you alright Mister Lawrence?”

  “I am alright. Well, except for my arm.”

  “Let me go and get the doctor for you.”

  “Hold on Shirley. Just let me tell you that I really appreciate what you do for me. Even if I don’t always show it. Well, more like ever show it. Why don’t you go ahead and go home? Not to your guest bedroom at the home but your house. I will be alright. I’m sure they will get someone to pick me up tomorrow. Just go and relax yourself.”

  “You know what Mister
Lawrence. I will go home and do just that. Besides, I need to hang that painting and finish some chores.”

  “You bought the painting.”

  “I was worried about you but that deal. I couldn’t pass it up.”

  “You are the best Shirley.”

  “Alright Mister Lawrence. I will see you tomorrow.”

  “See you then Shirley.” Mister Lawrence said as Shirley left the room.

  “Oh. Hey. Is that you doc?” Mister Lawrence asked

  “No. I’m the nurse. I was just checking up on you. How is your arm?”

  “Are you shorter than the doctor?”

  “Mister Lawrence. I need you to tell me where your arm is hurting for the doctor. Why are you worried about my height?”

  “It sounds like you are shorter. I can hear your voice coming from a lower level.”

  “I can understand if you don’t want to speak to me but you don’t have to be rude.”

  “What? I wasn’t trying to... Where are you going?”

  “I’m getting the doctor. You clearly don’t want to speak with me.” the nurse said before stepping through the doorway.

  “What do you have against my nurse Mister Lawrence?” The doctor said when he entered.

  “I don’t know how to explain this but I’ve been having this dream where people and things stand out from the darkness. When she walked in I immediately thought she was you but what I thought was you standing out from the darkness became shorter when she spoke. If that makes any since.”

  “That’s a loaded statement Mister Lawrence. Maybe you should talk to a psychologist.”

  “I do have a doctor’s visit coming up at Ferguson Medical Center tomorrow morning. I can see if they have one there.”

  “Really. Ferguson you say. Don’t worry about asking for a psychologist when you get there. I will have a friend of mine see you when you’re done with your checkup. He is amazing and I’m not just saying that because he’s a friend. You can ask anyone there when you go. He is the best psychologist they have on staff. His name is Darryl Washington. Just ask about him at the reception desk.”

  “I will do that. Shirley has been worried about this dream. She thinks it’s affecting me.”

  “Really. Do you have an example of how it has been affecting you?”

  “I touched a random woman’s face. I stayed in bed for hours to keep the dream repeating in my head. And apparently I walked into a busy road because of this dream. So, yeah, I need to see your friend after my checkup tomorrow.”

  “Here. It’s really late. Take these two pills and your arm should feel better in the morning.”

  Don’t tell me I’m going to run into the table again… Ouch. Should have known. Hey. Is that the wall my mom walks from behind and the fridge, and the cabinets, and the oven, and.. Mom. Wow. You stand out again but in a way that’s more, well, recognizable— especially compared to everything else that stands out…”