Out of the Mouth of Old People by Littlewing1957
A Lightning Flat Christmas Slice of Life
Ennis walked over to the side of an elderly man. Ennis noticed his rheumy eyes following him, and he decided to say hello. Ennis never visited a rest home before he decided to join Jack in Lightening Flat, and what he saw unsettled him. The home was well run, moderately clean, and best of all, it was not overcrowded. Still, Ennis was unprepared for the stale scent of old people, vegetative young people, antiseptic, and the stifling air of loneliness. Jack’s mother, Roberta Twist, was a special Christian lady who volunteered at the Silver View Rest home at least twice a month. Jack insisted on accompanying his mother on her visits to the home, and this time, he asked Ennis to go along. Ennis agreed.
It was December 12, and Roberta had Jack stop the truck at the Woolworth’s thrift store in town. Ennis waited in the truck as Mrs. Twist and Jack ran into Woolworth’s and purchased streamers, Xmas tree decorations, poinsettia plants and wreaths to decorate the home. Ennis helped the pair place the goods in the back of the truck for the trip to the Silver View Rest Home. Mrs. Twist walked into the home and had Jack and Ennis arrange the Xmas fixings on the table in the rec room. There was already a good sized Douglas fir in the corner of the room. It was partially furnished, and already looked very festive. Ennis helped Jack remove the colorful bulbs, tiny Santas and garland that Mrs. Twist bought to finish off the tree. Once Ennis and Jack got to work on the 9’ tall Douglas fir, they were joined by a few of Silver View’s residents. Ennis and Jack handed decorations to an elderly man and a younger woman, both wearing bathrobes, and both very eager to help the attractive young men decorate the tree. Roberta was having fun hanging wreaths on the doors of the recreation room. She, too, had help from a few of the residents. Ennis stood back and admired his handiwork, and placed a hand on Jack’s shoulder. “I’m glad I came, Bud!” Ennis began. “This is very rewarding. Thanks for inviting me.” Jack smiled and patted his friend’s hand. Just then, Ennis noticed an elderly gentleman in a wheelchair at the door of the rec room. He was smiling at Ennis and Jack, his eyes twinkling. Ennis nodded at the old man and smiled back. He was about to go over and wheel him in when the director of the Silver View Rest Home entered from the side door and made an announcement.
“We are very fortunate this evening to be entertained by Lightning Flat High School’s choir. Please join us in 15 minutes in the Chapel, where we’ll be treated to Xmas carols. Afterwards, we’ll come back here for refreshments.”
Mrs. Twist asked Ennis and Jack to help the less mobile residents to the chapel. When everyone was seated, Lightning Flat High School’s Music Director took the pulpit.
“Ladies and Gentleman,” she began, “It is my pleasure to introduce to you Lightning Flat High School choir. I think you’ll like our medley of holiday standards.”
Ennis and Jack, Roberta Twist and the Home’s attendants were offered the front pews. The applause was thunderous as the youngsters took the choir stand, resplendent in gold choir robes.
And the choir sang. Jack and Ennis hummed along to “God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman,” while Mrs. Twist couldn’t contain her excitement when she heard “Jesus, Jesus, O What a Wonderful Child!” But there was not a dry eye in the house when the teenagers ended with a moving rendition of “Silent Night.” Ennis looked at the Home’s staff and saw most of the women were crying silently. He knew that even if he lived to be 100 he would never forget those tear streaked faces.
Refreshments in the rec room consisted of chocolate cake, cookies, finger sandwiches and fruit punch. Ennis looked on, approvingly, as the members of Lightning Flat’s choir mingled with, and entertained the residents of Silver View Rest Home. Jack was laughing and talking with a few elderly women, when he noticed the same old man who eyed him earlier. He was sitting all alone in his wheelchair with a plate of cookies on his withered, blanket covered knee. Ennis placed his Styrofoam cup of punch down on a table and walked over to the old man. Ennis squatted down to eye level and smiled at the elderly gentleman. He reached a hand out to the man, who grasped it in a firm handshake.
“Ennis, Ennis Del Mar!”
“Jasper Mims!” The old man offered politely. “You’re new here?” Jasper asked Ennis. “I know Roberta and Jack, but I’ve never seen you before.” Ennis smiled.
“I just got in last week. I’m here to visit Jack and help his family around the ranch.” Jasper smiled and coughed a bit. Ennis steadied the plate of cookies on the old man's knee until the fit subsided.
“Look, Ennis,” Jasper began as he wiped the back of his liver spotted hand across his mouth. “I hope you don’t take this the wrong way, but this is important.”
“What is it, Mr. Mims?” Ennis asked, puzzled that the old man would give him advice. Jasper coughed once again before continuing.
“I know all about Jack,” Jasper wheezed. “Oh, nothing I’m absolutely sure about, but this is a small town and word gets around.” Ennis wasn’t sure he liked what he was hearing, but he was silent and allowed the old man to continue.
“I see how Jack looks at you, and I saw how you looked at him!” Another cough.
“Look, perhaps the two of you can’t be happy here. But I’m tellin’ you to go somewhere you can be happy. You see, I’m like you, and there was someone special in my life. But I let my fear get the better of me, and I lost him." Jasper looked Ennis straight in his hazel eyes.
"I don’t want to see that happen to you, or Jack.”
Ennis couldn’t help but feel embarrassed, but he knew that it was pointless to tell Jasper that he was mistaken about him and Jack.
“Wherever you find love, take it!” Jasper continued. “It is worth the risk. And even if you end up old, alone and in a rest home like me, at least you can say you claimed love. There is nothing more important, young man!” Ennis was about to answer when an attendant walked over to Mr. Mims and placed both hands on the handles of his wheelchair.
“There you are, Mr. Mims!” The young woman said. “C’mon, let me take you in and give you your medication. Say goodbye to the young man.” Jasper Mims shook Ennis’ hand and winked at him.
“Come back and see me sometimes, Ennis!” Jasper smiled before he was spirited away. Ennis nodded and allowed Jasper to be wheeled out of the room.
Ennis sighed and looked over the crowd for Jack and Mrs. Twist. He found them over by the tree talking to what looked like an orderly. Ennis joined them and placed a friendly arm over Jack’s shoulder. He looked into his lover’s eyes and smiled when he noticed a mixture of shock and delight in the pools of blue. He made a decision to visit Mr. Mims. He would come before Christmas Eve, bearing gifts.
Topic: Introducing the "Jack with Ennis" Fan Fic Game - the BetterMost Edition (Read 2170342 times)