I'm yours

I’m Yours

Liam was up late working on a new story for his collection of short stories. He had been dealing with a dry spell and struggled with his writing. He often found inspiration as he listened to music on his IPhone. He sat on the sofa, writing of a young man with a zest for life.

The man drew a smiley face on his mirror after taking a shower. He danced to a tune that touched every part of his body. It had been awhile since he’d felt good about himself as he removed a hospital band around his wrist. It was an exciting day for Andy as he started his first day at the senior center. “Good morning Andy,” Mr. Miller, the director for the center said. “Hi, good morning,” Andy replied, as he put on his white lab jacket with his nametag pinned on the pocket. “I’ve got your patient schedule posted on the staff bulletin board,” Mr. Miller said.

Another staff member walked into the back room. “Hi my name is Frank.” “Hi. Andy.” “First day?” “Yeah.” “Welcome to the center,” Frank said. “Thanks,” Andy replied, as he checked his patient schedule. “I see you’ve got Mrs. Garcia this morning. She’s a sweetheart,” Frank said.

It was almost noon and all the patients were gathered in the dinning room for lunch. Andy had just picked up Mr. Jones and sat him next to Mr. Phillips. “Have a good lunch Mr. Jones,” Andy said. “Thank you Andy. You do the same,” Mr. Jones said. “Do you want to grab a bite from next door?” Frank asked. “That sounds great,” Andy replied, as the guys walked to the Deli next door.

The guys sat at a vacant table with their sandwiches. “Do you live in the City?” Frank asked. “I just moved into a studio on Franklin,” Andy said. “I hear they are great for the price. I move to the City six months ago and I share an apartment with a couple of guys who attend City College,” Frank said. “How long have you been working at the center?” Andy asked. “It will be two years this month,” Frank said. “So why do you work at the center?” Andy asked. “My grandmother was a patient at the Center. She passed a couple of years ago and I stayed on to help others like her,” Frank said. “I’m sorry for your loss. That is really nice of you,” Andy said. “I wanted to show my appreciation to the center for taking good care of my grandmother and I just felt a connection, since she spent her last days here,” Frank said. “Sounds like you were close with your grandmother?” Andy asked. “She was my best friend,” Frank said. Andy smiled. The two guys became good friends as they worked at the center.

It was the weekend and both Frank and Andy were off. “Hey do you want to hang out this weekend?” Frank asked. “What do you have in mind?” Andy replied. “I planned on doing a little shopping in Chinatown. Do you want to join me?” Frank asked. “It’s been awhile since I’ve been there. Sounds great,” Andy said.

The next day the guys walked down Grant Street and they visited each of the stores along the way. They stopped at one of the restaurants to eat lunch and the food was served right away. Andy sat quietly as Frank started eating. “Is everything all right Andy?” Frank asked. Andy looked a bit out of sorts “It will pass,” Andy said, looking a little pale. “Why don’t we just get it to go and take you back to your place,” Frank said. The guys walked back to Andy’s apartment. “I’m sorry Frank. I just need to lay down for a bit,” Andy said, as Frank sat next to him. “Do you need anything?” Frank asked. “There is a prescription in my medicine cabinet in the bathroom,” Andy said. Frank got the medicine for Andy along with a glass of water. “Are you sick?” Frank asked. “Nothing to worry about,” Andy said as he popped a couple of pills into his mouth and washed it down with water. “It’s for the nausea that comes on whenever I overexert myself,” Andy said. “My uncle had similar problems with nausea when he dealt with Leukemia.” “Please don’t say anything to anyone,” Andy said. “How bad is it?” Frank asked. “I have a month or two,” Andy said. “So why are you working at the center?” Frank asked. “I wanted to help others that need my help while I can,” Andy said. “What about you? Who is going to help take care of you?” Frank asked. “I have always been a little selfish thinking that I was invincible when I was as a teen. Then I found out that I was dying. Everything changed for me and I realized that I needed to be a little nicer and to be kind to people, especially the elderly. I left home when I turned eighteen to conquer the world. Things have changed now and I have to live my life to the fullest, without any regrets. I used to think that getting a leather jacket would solve everything or if I made a million dollars I would prove to myself that I was worth something. It doesn’t matter anymore because I can’t take the leather jacket or the million dollars with me. It’s all about just living to the fullest, loving yourself, and just being happy,” Andy said. Frank sat next to Andy as he listened to his story and he started to get emotional. “Don’t Frank. This is why I don’t say anything to anyone. I just want to live as long as I can,” Andy said. Frank held Andy’s hand, squeezing it and nodding his head with a smile. “Okay,” Frank said.

The next week the two guys worked together with their usual patient schedules. It was Andy’s third week on the job when he didn’t show up for work. “Frank have you seen Andy?” Mr. Miller asked. Frank looked concerned and rushed to his apartment. He knocked on Andy’s door. “Andy are you home?” Frank said. He knocked again, calling his name. A few minutes later Andy opened the door, still in his pajamas. “Hi Frank,” Andy said. “How are you doing?” Frank asked. “I was feeling a little weak this morning and I needed to sleep in,” Andy said. “Should we take you to the hospital?” Frank asked. “There is nothing they can do for me,” Andy said. “Let’s get you dressed and we’ll take a short ride,” Frank said. Frank drove Andy to the hospital. They checked him in and made him comfortable. “Is there anyone you like me to call Andy?” Frank asked. “There is no one,” Andy said. “What can I do for you?” Frank asked. “I would like to start arranging my affairs to make sure that everything is done before I go. I would like to donate what little money I have in my bank account to the center. I have a leather jacket that would look good on you,” Andy said. Frank did what Andy wanted done and returned to the hospital. Over the next few days Andy’s condition worsened. Frank sat next to Andy, holding his hands. “Thank you for being a good friend,” Andy said, as he closed his eyes for what would be the last time. The illness took over and Andy died.

Frank made all the arrangements for Andy as he requested. His body was cremated and his ashes were scattered on the beach. Andy’s bank account, which totaled a little over a million dollars, was given to the center. A memorial picture of Andy was hung in the dinning room in his honor. There was an inscription: In loving memory of a wonderful friend and staff member of the center.