Chapter III

It’s a Sunday morning, and I’m expecting a phone call from the resort. Every time the phone rings, I keep on jolting in anticipation only to find out it was for grandma or from the post office. It’s already nine in the morning when we get breakfast. I kept on glancing to the red object. Maybe I’ll bring it with me upstairs. Nan wouldn’t mind.

KRRRRRRRRRRRRRRING. Oh, another call. “Goodness Feleni, you’re being jumpy. Here, have some more salad.” I ignored Nan and sprinted to the living room where the sound belongs. I pressed the button and answered – “Hello?”

“Hi! This is Sally from Garnet Homes. Is Mrs. Hopkins at home? Her friend here wants to talk to her.”

Oh. It’s for Nan again. Why does she keep on getting calls? She must’ve had a lot in her social circle. In contrast, her precious granddaughter doesn’t have any. “Nan it’s for you again!”

“Oh dear, was that Sally?” she said, rushing towards me. “Give me the phone dear.” I handed it to her immediately. She answered the call in her optimistic voice. I got back to my seat, chair scraping over the floor, still distracted despite chewing my broccoli. Why aren’t they calling me? Mrs. Arborro said she’ll be in touch. Does that mean I am not accepted? Now I’m worried. They probably just say that so as not to hurt my feelings. I put the dishes to the sink and run the water.

I reflected again – pretty much every day since the time I finished the interview. My answers might be wrong or that maybe my behavior must’ve been unimpressive. “Feleni! A call – for you!” Nan yelled. Finally – it’s been FOREVER. If there’s one thing I’d be crazy over, it’s the high suspense.

Literally, my hands were soaked in sweat as I get to touch the telephone again, like – forget washing, I can summon water. “Good morning. Is this Miss Feleni Goodlyn?” the person on the other line said.

“Speaking.” I bit my lip. I swear, this should be affirmative. I needed the job badly.

“Please come to Royal Villa. This is your first day. Mrs. Arborro will be waiting for you at 10.” She hang up, and a tone followed. I haven’t said my thanks yet – that’s rude. I looked at the clock, 9:40.

Okay Feleni, breathe –

Nan’s oblivious about this. Quick – find an alibi. Imagine I have a lightbulb on my head, like in those cartoon characters in the movies, that’s what this is. How come I haven’t thought of it? Of course – the volunteer program! It’s like the Aha-moment.

That’s right, she won’t suspect if I told her I signed up for one. I looked for her to the kitchen. She was washing the dishes I left earlier. “Nan. Umm. I was wondering if I can go today.”

“What for?” Nan replied.

“I was going to apply for a volunteer program this summer. Y’know, I need to make a report paper about it at school.”

“Where is this – program? Why didn’t you tell me about it earlier? I could have introduced you to those I know.”

I can’t think of a place other than – “As a matter of fact, it’s at umm…at – Garnets!” I tried to sound convincing. And Nan lighted upon hearing the name. “Really? That’s fantastic dear –”

Actually, this place has been grandma’s favorite hangout. Her retreat, lair, hidey-hole, stamping ground – whatever.

When my parents were still alive, we often visit that place because of Grandpa Mike. He is an ex field marshal in the U.S. army when he was still active and healthy – later in his sixties, he had Alzheimer’s, so Nan looked after him after being admitted at the nearest hospital. I still remember how Nan crumbled on her knees as Grandpa Mike asked who she was. I bet that hurts – they’re each other’s twin flames and he can’t even remember her name.

They moved him to Garnets to spend his remaining years. Then, when grandpa passed away, Nan cried so much she hyperventilated. Nan didn’t cry like that during my parent’s funeral. Not even when she realized she’d be taking care of me for the rest of her life.

She became enduring and impassive over the years, and she didn’t have so much of a weekend getaway. Which is why, moving back here again made her vigorous and involved in the activities at Garnet Homes Elder Care. A place where she can relive memories.

Nan took me to her closet and was picking up clothes here and there.

“Nan what is this about?” I just thought - I’m in a terrible situation. Don’t tell me she’s – she want me to wear her dresses? No – no. A big fat NO. I look again at the clock. Oh no! I’m going to be late.

“Dear this would look good on you.” She studied me in a red vintage dress. This is horrifying! I’m not gonna be someone dressing like a pin-up girl in the 70s. Only – I wouldn’t look the part. I’m way too skinny for the dress. There’s even boob paddings in it. Trust me – that would only look a lot faker.

“Nan I have no time for this. I have to go okay.” I run upstairs. Cleaning a pool doesn’t have to require wearing a nice dress. What I need is something comfortable. I wore a jumper, put some trendy knitted bracelets I made in eighth grade. Afterwards, watched myself in the mirror: ponytail on point. Cool.

The moment I set foot at Royal Villa, a big smile is plastered on my face.

You can do this Feln – ace this. Mrs. Arborro immediately introduced me to the pool. I suppose, she’s the type to be always in a hurry. I tried to keep up as much as possible of course. She gave me the pep talk, telling me that I have to clean the pool every day; specifically every six in the morning. I’ll be doing scrubbing, skimming, and vacuuming, as well as checking filters, water levels, and pool chemicals. I did take down notes.

“You’ll assist our certified pool guy Jerry.” She gestured a hand to him. “Both of you will take turns, so you don’t have to do all the heavy stuff. Don’t worry, he’ll teach you the ropes around here.” She said.

Jerry is in his forties. He taught me all the necessary things I needed to know about the cleaning process. Amazingly, we really get along with each other. He did quite funny remarks about Mrs. Arborro though, he said she’s a cranky old lady because she loves coffee and that she is a sweat blood. And I just laughed, because she looks like she is to me.

The pool was packed with people: I could hardly listen to Jerry about the filters. Making both of us raise our voices until we’re out of breath. We did a break soon after.

I went to the bathroom because I felt jittery. Need to answer Mother Nature. I opened a cubicle and BAM! – Two human beings were eating each other’s faces. To put it simply, they were making out. The tall girl is one of the Barbie wannabes who ganged up on me the other day. A horrible sight. “I’m sorry!” was all I have to say.

“Hey!” the girl called. I was halfway out from the bathroom when someone yanked me, pinning me to the wall. It was her. “You – never speak about what you saw. You hear me?” I nod. “Good. Or you’re dead!” Another hard slam, hurting my ears and defeating my legs from where I stand. Then, she left.

First thoughts were, what did I just saw? I mean it’s not a big deal. They can eat their faces all they want. I won’t spill because I don’t care. Second, why is this happening to me? I just wanted to pee. The smile I had earlier fade away as I head back to the pool.

I planned my alibi after securing my spot at the resort. On Monday, Nan asked if I was done with the application. Of course I haven’t. She is starting to suspect me about why I was always out early at Garnet. The thing is, Nan bakes cookies for the elders every three in the afternoon. She hands them hot milk or hot chocolate: depends of course in the weather. She might have asked someone there.

Hence, I got here at Garnet Homes after lunch. It’s great that I have to work only in the mornings at Royal and the volunteering at noon. My schedule’s entirely full. Way to go Nan.

Initially, the volunteering was planned to happen next month instead of today. I let out a groan from the back ache. I was sitting on a gray sofa waiting there for almost five minutes when an old lady appeared on the reception desk.

“Well hello there! Is there anything I can help you miss?” she said.

“Hi. It’s Feleni Goodlyn. I’m Nan’s – I mean I’m Mrs. Hopkin’s granddaughter.”

She stared at me before saying, “Oh! Oh my goodness yes I almost forgot. Yes, you’re grandma told me about you sweetie. Sorry for not recognizing you earlier. It’s probably the age eh? Name’s Sally. Nice to meet ya –” She’s so jolly.

“Care to have some biscuits?”

“It’s fine. Nice to meet you too Sally. I was wondering if I can volunteer for the elders. Here is my letter of application.” I handed her the paper.

“Oh no! No need for that sweetie. Come, I’ll show you around. You can start whenever you like.” We passed rooms; introducing me the names of the elders and their favorite pastimes. “Here’s John. He’s seventy five. An old workaholic.” She whispered to me and continued, “He’s very rich. Sadly, his daughter died because of leukemia. Poor guy.”

“Umm. Sally.” It was nice to meet the interesting ladies and gentlemen here, but I hardly know what to do for them at this moment. “Yes sweetie?” she asked.

“I’m just asking, what can I do for them now?” I replied.

“You can bring them your Nan’s cookies and hot milk sweetie. They’re at the other room.”

Subsequently, I noticed some of the elders were either having a conversation or playing mahjong. But, old John here doesn’t seem to interact or play at anything. Looking grisly and mundane as he propped on an old hardbound; I guess about six hundred pages thick. I sit beside him, over the carpet that is, observing the pretty Christmas lights still hanging on the window frame. “You look bored.” I turned, surprised that he spoke to me. “Not quiet.” A confirmation of what I really felt. Not bored, not really – just tired. The silence fell between us and he’s back at reading – while The Great Pretender by The Platters melds into the background.

It’s past three, I have to go home. Nan and I made it a rule to watch our favorite noon time series on weekdays together. As I went out to look for my bike, I realized it was not there where I parked it. Perplexed, I searched the front yard but only found a few elders having their walks.

It must be right here somewhere. For goodness sake, it’s a bike – it’s not small. Who could possibly stole it? Sweat is trickling my forehead. My eyes kept searching everywhere. I even opened the stupid mail box.

After a few hours of searching and asking from bystanders there, I turned at a group of old ladies at the veranda, and a guy in a white shirt was giving out newspapers. I looked behind him – there it is, my pastel green bike. I fumed. This guy took it.

The guy glanced then looked at me and made a huge grin.

He was moving towards me and I just thought, “Woah this guy’s kinda hot. Just like a runway model.” He had this golden boy aura. Tall, broad shoulders, tanned skin, freckled cheeks, ocean blue eyes and ash blonde hair, very white teeth too. And damn, he smelled like juicy pears with a shower of lavender – Okay focus.

“Hey, is this bike yours? Sorry for not asking. You might think I stole it.”

Ugh. Ridiculous. Who wouldn’t think so?

“Yeah. You figured.”

“I was just in a hurry. I need to get the old peeps their dailies that’s why I…”

I didn’t really hear the whole thing of what he was saying because I drove away. I mean who cares. There’s no harm done anyway. I have moved past the yard when he called out – ‘Hey!’, but I’m on my way –

At home, Nan made her special ramen which is my favorite by the way. One successful slurp of the tasty noodles melted the weariness. The clock strikes at four, and we both watch Gray’s Anatomy. I was just thinking of the time when the tall chick slammed on my ear –

“Feleni, Is everything alright?” Nan asked. I chuck a noodle with my chopsticks and beamed at her. “Yeah sure.”

With Bright Tomorrows, end of Chapter Three.