Oldthorns

On my first day at work in Oldthorns Nursing home I walked right into
Mr Brobe . Out of all the people in the world I had to bump into Grumpy Old Grizzly Guts , as we called him at school . There were so many times he had put me in my place . He gave me so much grief growing up . Briefly I reflected back on my early years at school .
I suddenly remembered the way he would stand towering over me .
Screaming like a army drill sergeant ..

"Remember little man . I'm bigger and stronger than you ."

Now here he was just where I wanted him . I had so many words I could have said . I walked over to him . I could sense my anger rising within me .
I grinded my teeth so hard that I broke two teeth in half .

"Well hello . Mr Brobe . How are you today . "

"What ? Do I know you ?"
Came the reply .

"Ah no . Not yet . I'm the new nurse Mr Brobe . It's time for your medication ."
I said .

" Do I have medication ?
Came the reply .

I took the tablet from a spoon I held and he before he swallowed it he asked .

"What was that tablet I just took ?

I checked my list and replied .
" Chewy ."

"I beg your pardon ?
"Don't blow bubbles in the classroom again ."

The alarm went off and I jumped out of bed .

"Oh no . It's late . Nearly slept in . Time to get to work ."

I jumped in the shower and after a quick breakfast I jumped in the car and drove to work . Reality hit , it was really my first day on the job .
As I walked in to the Nursing home I had my guard up almost expecting to meet Mr Brobe in the corridor there .
Instead I found a staff member who introduced me to some of the residents .
The orientation took almost half the morning but I learned a lot about the residents who lived at Oldthorns .
Mr Black was from a country where the colour of his skin made him unacceptable . He was one of the lucky ones who escaped the civil war .
I was told never to talk about the war .

Mrs Major was one of the oldest residents in Oldthorns . She had devoted her life to her husband and children until the day she started to forget things .

Mrs White was a happy old lady who spent a lot of time on her appearance .
She had lived in the nursing home for seven years .

I listened and lot and asked a lot of questions . After a week or two I started to notice a very private side to certain residents lives .

Mrs Major stayed in her room most of the day until about three thirty and it was then she would take a seat by the front window that overlooked the main road outside Oldthorn Nursing home . There she sat for over an hour gazing out at the passing traffic and never talking to anyone .
I observed her for some time before making any assumptions about of her .
Some people told me she had lost her sense of hearing .
Some people told me she was losing her sight .
Others told me she was mad .
I observed her before reserving any such opinion .

One day as she walked back to her room I made it my business to be in the corridor and as she approached I looked at her and smiled .
I softly asked her ,
"Can you hear me ?
I knew by the way she looked back that she could .

"Are you watching for the school bus ?''
I asked .

She smiled from the side of her mouth and somehow what I said she had understood .

She replied ,
"I'm waiting for the kids to come home from school ."

There and then I realised for most of her life Mrs Major had a routine where she waited for her children to come home on the bus .

Outside it was pouring down with rain and I asked her ,
"Good day Mrs Major . Isn't it a lovely day outside ? "

"I don't like the rain . The kids will get soaked ."
She said .

I dwelt with her for a moment and tried to reassure her by saying .
"The kids will be all right . Don't worry ."

I returned to the common room and noticed two of the residents cuddling up together on the sofa . Mrs Waters the afternoon tea lady tutted and scolded the two residents . She walked off red faced towards the kitchen .
I knew what was coming next . It wasn't long before a story had emerged around a new love affair between Mr Black and Mrs White .
I knew who had started the gossip .

God why can't people ever see the grey I said to myself .

The next day when the afternoon tea lady arrived I went over and said .

"People think just because they're old they're incapable of having any romance . I'll tell you something Mrs Waters . None of us are ever too old for love . Don't you agree ? "

My words fell like a silver spoon from a china cup to the floor .
The tea lady stood speechless and looked right through me .

I continued ,
"You know what Mrs Waters , isn't it sad that some people think old people can't contribute anything to society . Why don't you prove them all wrong and invite some of the residents to join you in a small cookery class in the kitchen once a week . I'm sure it will add a little extra spice into their life ."

At first she couldn't accept what I had challenged her to do . But I continued to remind her each time I saw her with the tea trolley .

Mr Black and Mrs White continued to hold hands and cuddle one another everyday until Mrs White died . Their short love affair lasted a week but I'm so glad they both had time to share something special together .

What a lovely surprise it was when Mrs Waters began to do some cookery classes with the residents . As it turned out Mr Black had been a qualified Chef in his day and was able to contribute quite a lot to the activity .

Mrs Major continued to wait for the bus each day that never came .
As she sat looking out the window Mr Butt , one of the new residents sat down beside her . I approached him and softly whispered in his ear ,
" She's waiting for the bus .

"Good . I'm waiting for it too . Let me know when it comes will you ."
I reached out and touched his hand and said ..

"It shouldn't be too much longer ."

The End