Business is slow these day’s. Greed in high places has caused a world wide recession. Were i live it is a mild recession, still, people have stopped projects as they are uncertain about their futures. Leaning back, looking back, reflecting. I watch a women walk by my office window. A truck passes, the glass moves, reflections, refractions.
Memories!
Huh! ….. the lady walking past the office reminds of a lady i new years ago. Edna, an older women, 65 too 70-ish if memory serves.
I met Edna in a hospital room she shared with my mother in law.
I remember Edna because of her back.
My wife and i were visiting my mother in law and Edna was her roomy. The ladies were talking, i got bored and walked over to the window to look outside. When i turned i saw Edna’s bare back, too the small of her back. Edna had a beautiful back. This surprised me as i never thought a women in her late sixties would possess anything appealing to me.
” i guess i had better revise my attitude toward older women.”
We visited my mother in law a couple more times and i conciously looked forward to seeing Edna’ back. She was covered the first return visit and had moved on the next visit. OH WELL !
About four months later my sister in law called me about doing some work for a Church friend of hers. I said yes. I met my sister in law the next day at a coffee shop, we chatted. I got the address from her and was to meet her at her friends house the following Monday.
Monday, Monday ! Off …. to meet my sister in law at this ladies home.
Met my sister in law at her fellow parishioners home. We talk, she introduces me to the nurse and leaves. I have cabinets to install, and some book cases to erect. A nice little reno job. I still have not met the home owner. She is under a nurses care and is not available, so i start the job.
I brought a negative air purifier to keep the air dust free. I worked from Ten in the morn until near Four in the afternoon, this was in compliance with the nurses instructions.
On my second Monday the nurse tells me that the owner would like to meet me. I was looking forward to this meeting. I walk into her room and to my surprise, there lies Edna.
” Hello Edna” ..i say . Happy to see her.
” Hi ” ..she say’s back.
” I did not know you were my boss “
” Boss ? ” ..she laughs.
” How are you dong Edna “? … i ask.
“So so” she replies.
I move beside the bed and squat, we chat.
As i leave, her in her bed, i give her a little hug. We talked of the work i am doing for her and we have agreed on a price. Her Church is paying for one third. I go to work as the nurse returns.
Near the end of my stay at Edna’s, i come into her room for the second time, we converse some more. I like Edna and ask if i could visit her from time to time. She said Yes.
A week after i finished the work for Edna i return to get paid. The nurse leaves us alone to chat. Edna comments on how she has not able to hold anyone anymore because of her health. She said her husband passed away over ten years ago and even when she was able to get about she was a stay at home girl. Now she wishes she had gone out more.
She seemed down. She said she would at least like to have the opportunity to hug someone once in a while. The conversation ended on this subject as the nurse reappeared. I said my goodbyes and off i went.
A couple of months went by when i made a surprise visit to Edna. she was very happy to see me. The nurse left us alone, she went to get some supplies for Edna.
” Edna, theres a bit of fluff near you eye.”
Edna brushed her face trying to remove the fluff.
” It is still there Edna, here, close your eyes for a second and i will remove it, OK “
Edna closed her eyes, i move to her to remove the fluff, which did not exist. I stuped and kissed Edna gently on her mouth. She startled and opened her eyes …. not objecting to my sneaky kiss, i kissed her gently again on her lips. She smiled, ” Why did you kiss me she asks”
” On my last visit you told me that you would like to be hugged or kissed but that your health was a detriment. Also Edna, you have nice lips, and a beautiful back.” i smiled as i knew that would beg a question.
” Beautiful back she askes”.
” Yes ” .. i reply, and explain.
Edna laughs. I was pleased that i could make her laugh.
I moved away from her and looked at the book cases i installed. She had had the glazier install glass They looked great i thought. I looked at some of the titles on her book collection.
” You have an interesting book collection Edna”, i said.
” Thank you”
I go back to Edna, we talk for a good hour. Our discussion covers Church, health, mobility, and a wide range of other topics. I had moved a chair near Edna’s bed so i could sit as we talked. I had gotten her a couple of drinks during our visit. She had a catheter. The nurse reappeared, it was time to go. I could see the disappointment in Edna’s face. I told her i would visit again. With that i kissed her, in front of the nurse.