He calls with a list of complaints. “It gets lonely around here in the winter,” he says.
He is having all sorts of physical problems. He is a big man. His knees hurt. He can’t do the extensive gardening he has had as a serious hobby for the past twenty years. He doesn’t know what he is going to do.
“Have you ever considered assisted living?” she asks full of sympathy with the full knowledge that this will be the question she must be ready to ask herself someday.
“No, I want to die here in my home.”
“Maybe you should see about getting someone to come in everyday, do light housekeeping, gardening, shopping, etc?” she suggests.
“That is what I am considering.”
There is a pause. She knows he would like her to come over to visit more often. He is smitten with her. Her youthful long blond hair, her big expressive blue eyes, her contagious laughter. In another day they might have been occasional lovers. He had been a great looking man in his prime, but that time has passed. Besides she is firmly paired with an equally youthful husband who is her love match.
She vows to invite the Old Man out for dinner. A good steak and some wine ought to improve his mood for a while anyway. She would lead him to pretend that it was possible. A moment of fantasy to give him hope.
Old Man,
If I could I would love you for a little while.
Just hold you and comfort you.
Maybe make you laugh.
Ease your pain in this world for a few moments.
Let you know that there are women who care,
Women who can be lovers,
and lovers who can be motherly…
to suit your needs… if but for a time.
It is here. If you want it.
I have love to give to you.
Old Woman
(First published 9/4/11)
