The old woman’s tangled hair and the dingy nightgown caked with dried egg yolk did not matter. Her thin, frail body slumped heavily to one side. A small trail of spittle leaked slowly down her wrinkled chin. She closed her weary eyes, then released a pitiful sigh.
“How was breakfast, Miss Sierra?” He slowly leaned in close, then delicately wiped her aged mouth. Without waiting for a reply, the tall middle-aged attendant silently pushed the battered wheelchair to the cracked window. A warm, heavenly breeze blew against her sunken skin. She shivered slightly but gladly ingested the freshness of the cool, sunny morning.
“I’m going to leave you here awhile, Miss Sierra, so that you can enjoy the beautiful view.” Within moments, she was alone.
Sierra Bradley was the oldest living patient at Manor Care. Her permanent residency began fifteen years prior when her husband, Edgar, died from a massive heart attack. With little discussion, the family admitted Sierra to Manor Care.
“Don’t worry, Mom. We promise to visit often,” Chad vowed. Her son’s promise fell flat.
“Mother, you’ll be much happier here at Manor Care. They have all sorts of bustling activities to keep you amused!” Her daughter, Melissa, a self-centered wealthy business owner, could not conceal the obvious lie.
But over the ensuing years, Sierra’s fate would turn the corner, leaving behind only loneliness and utter despair. Minutes turned into hours, hours into days, until finally, they rolled into one conglomerate of memories hurling by with discerning viciousness.
“Miss Sierra, how about a nice cup of hot tea and a flaky biscuit?” The familiar voice was calming and entirely genuine. His unending devotion knew no bounds, even with his age. It was more than just a job—it became his ultimate purpose in life.
Eddy Cantor carefully poured the boiling water into the worn porcelain mug. He pursed his lips together and whistled a merry tune while draping the woven shawl across the old woman’s curved spine.
“Miss Sierra, this is steaming, so please wait a minute or two before you take a sip,” explained Eddy.
Sierra’s eyelid twitched. She glanced up at the overpowering, yet gentle man. His brown eyes were filled with compassion. “Thank you, Eddy,” she whispered. Her gnarled hands lightly shook without hesitation. The soft bread crumbled with her unsteady touch.
“Miss Sierra, let me help you. Would you like butter or jam?” His politeness was immeasurable.
“Both!” squealed Sierra with delight.
Eddy let out a huge laugh as he spread the mixture upon the bun.
“Would you mind if I sat with you, Miss Sierra?” asked Eddy. He stood patiently to the side and waited for an answer.
“Eddy, I enjoy your company, please,” responded Sierra between bites.
Eddy’s face filled with joy as he dragged the metal chair across the room. “The weather today is pleasant. I think spring has finally arrived.” He gazed through the transparent window with appreciation.
Sierra tipped the warm cup to her thin lips. The soothing liquid coated her parched throat. “Eddy, do you suppose my children ever forgave me?” Sierra’s attention turned to setting the tea back onto the tray.
“Forgave you? What could you have possibly done to expect forgiveness?” Eddy became baffled by her strange choice of words.
Sierra remained quiet for a brief moment. “For…for growing old, of course!” Sierra’s head hung in shame. She tried with all her might to hold back the brimming tears of sorrow.
“It’s absurd to be mad at someone for aging! Why, it happens to us all!” Eddy’s heart burst with sympathy. “There, there, Miss Sierra. You’d have to be a damn fool to hold that against a person.” Eddy quickly grabbed the box of tissues from the dresser.
Sierra sniffled a minute or two before she decided to stop. “Then why have they forgotten me?” Her lingering words stung deep. Eddy searched his mind but could not find the answer. A tiny smile crept across her shriveled face. “Maybe their forgetfulness is my penance.” Sierra, once again, stared out into the emptiness.
Eddy tried desperately to comprehend this anguished way of thinking.
“Miss Sierra, if I could be so bold, and with all due respect…your adult children have no excuse for not taking time out of their lives to spend with their mother! And…and I won’t stay still while you blame yourself for their ignorant sins!” Eddy’s casual demeanor transformed into anger as he stood up, consumed with fury.
“Eddy…Eddy, my boy…sit down…sit down!” exclaimed Sierra. Eddy struggled with his burning emotions and then relinquished his sour attitude. The weight of his body strained against the thin frame. “How do you think I was able to survive all these years at Manor Care?” Her tone was low and weak.
He shook his head with woe. “I don’t know, Miss Sierra, I honestly don’t know.” Eddy’s massive shoulders sagged as he hunched forward.
“Miss Sierra, I just want you—” the old woman’s insistence silenced Eddy’s words.
“I know, Eddy…I know.” The old woman gently tugged at the worn shawl. She knew within her soul it had been Eddy keeping her spirit alive over the passing years. Not her selfish and self-centered children.
Eddy relaxed a bit, then pushed out a smile. “They say it will be another hot summer, Miss Sierra.”
“That’s what I heard, Eddy…that’s what I heard.” Her decrepit hand lightly patted his thick knee.
Outside in the pouring sunshine, the magnificent sugar maple tree had begun to bloom clusters of tiny yellow-green corymbs, announcing the birth of yet another year at Manor Care.
INSTANT NOODLES 