Frank
Atherton is the assistant director at a nursing home in Ohio. For an
ex-military man, the job may seem a little tame, but he actually
likes the mundane, day to day routine. After the chaos of war, it's
nice to relax. He's happy there, until Ralph Penwarren shows up. An
insufferable man, Penwarren has already made Frank's life hell, and
it's only been a couple hours. Instead of staying at home, Frank
decides to stay on site in one of the guest rooms, in case there is
an emergency with Penwarren. By chance, he meets Dr. Marka
Ventimiglia, a new psychologist on staff.
Frank
hung up, turning back to his visitor. "Sorry. Had a little
problem with a guest. He's a real jerk. In fact, he's the reason I'm
here tonight instead of home—with a beer." He flopped into the
chair with a sigh.
"I
hear a story in that."
"His
name's Ralph Penwarren. His mom lives here. She fell and he blames
us. Long story short, he's going to make us as miserable as possible
before he leaves."
"My
Gran would call him a pip," Marka replied with a sly
grin.
"Mine
would call him a prick," Frank countered. "She's been
married to a Marine for fifty-six years. She doesn't take crap from
anyone. She'd eat Penwarren for lunch."
"Sounds
like you should give her a call."
"Maybe
I will."
They
were laughing quietly over their little joke when someone knocked at
the door. It was Kathy. She bustled past Frank with several rolls of
toilet paper.
"Sorry
it took me so long. I dropped by Dr. Ventimiglia's first, but she
wasn't there. I didn't want to go in.... Oh, hi! I didn't know you
were here."
"I
came to see if he had a spare. That's how he found out he hasn't got
any either."
"All
you have to do is call housekeeping. We'll take care of it. The
numbers should be on top of the TV."
"They
were. I didn't realize there was anyone there at night."
Kathy
smiled, handing her some toilet paper. "Once in awhile someone
gets up and pees the floor or spills. Most nights are pretty quiet. I
inventory and fold sheets, that sort of thing."
"Thanks
for the information. I'll be staying in a guest room for a few weeks.
After that, I'll move into a house in town. They're remodeling. It's
not ready yet."
"Oh,
sweet! What house?"
"The
cute periwinkle blue house on the corner of Main and Fifteenth."
"You'll
love it! My husband helped with the remodel. He finished the floors.
All oak," Kathy said. "It's got a great view of the park
and pond."
"Yes,
I saw. That and the kitchen are the two things that sold me on the
house."
"Kenny
also helped with the cabinets. He's a great carpenter. He works here
part time too."
"I
look forward to meeting him."
"If
there's anything else you need, holler. I'll be sitting in my cave
watching TV and folding sheets." Kathy withdrew, a questioning
look on her face as she passed Frank.
"Night,
Kath. See you in the morning."
"Bright
and early," she replied, winking as she left.
Blushing,
Frank shut the door behind her. "God, we'll be the topic of
gossip for the next week."
"What?
Why?"
He
pointed to himself, then her. "You being here in the middle of
the night—"
"It's
just past ten!"
"Around
here, that's like two o'clock in the morning anywhere else. Be
prepared for it. The entire staff will know before noon and half the
residents by supper."
"I
hate to think what the talk would be like if we were naked." She
paused, reddening. "Sorry."
Frank
burst out laughing. "Don't be. I was thinking it."
"But
you're too much of a gentleman to say it. Sometimes my mouth works
faster than my off switch."
"No,
you just beat me to it."
"You
won't get in trouble, will you?"
"Only
with myself."
She
was clearly puzzled.
"I
handle things like that. Actually, it's flattering."
"Oh?"
"Yeah."
He scratched his head, one hand in his pocket. "Found in a room
with a pretty woman like you— Sorry, now I need my off switch."
"Could
be worse things."
"Yeah,
we could've been naked."
©
2015 Dellani Oakes
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