After
hearing a repeated knock, Caleb simply pulled the covers over that shaved hard
head of his and tried to ignore the thumps from mom’s front door. Still, after
several minutes of relentless barking from the dogs, it was time to get up and
find out who was disturbing this peaceful morning.
The door barley creaked open before a brilliant morning sun
blinded the view. Lisianthus Glass asked “Is Gabriel up yet?” The aroma from a
platter of stemming cinnamon rolls tightened the knot in Caleb’s very empty
stomach. It growled in an angry protest but he turned his nose away to let in
the new neighbor.
Lisianthus preferred to be called Lisi and since moving in
next door about a month ago, she had practically adopted Caleb’s mother
Gabriel. Caleb, who now lived right outside an Air Force base in Ohio didn’t
know what to make of Lisi. She came by to check on Gabriel every day and made
sure all her needs were taken care of. Upon pushing her way through the door
she added, “I’m not sure if you’re allergic to bleached flour like your mother
but Merry Christmas anyways. Did you know you look like hell this morning?” The
cheerful smile was warm and welcoming so Caleb greeted it back with a grin and “morning”
mumble.
Kindness from strangers was an unknown concept in this
household. He assumed she would just hurt then in the end, just like everyone else
has done. For now though it was time to practice the Golden Rule and treat
others like you want to be treated, at least until they screw up and reveal the
beast hidden within.
After situating the rolls on their kitchen counter, Lisi
started a pot of coffee. The coffee pot was one of the pride and joys of this
home since it was a high priced Bunn Maker. A pot was ready in three minutes every
time. The perfect jump start for anyone needing a caffeine fix.
The
only way Gabriel was able to afford nice items like this was because she sold
her excess prescription pain meds. It wasn’t something any of them were proud
of. Caleb detested the fact that doctors had not only turned his mother into an
addict by trying to ease her pain, but she had basically turned drug dealer as
well to pay bills. Resisting the urge to go back to bed, Caleb sat on mom’s
worn green couch to socialize for a few minutes. It was at least distracting
from the cursed thoughts that continued to pop up. “If only the job market was better, I could help mom out. If only I hadn’t
gotten that infection in my eye and still had vision in both eyes.”
As a
plain black cup of Folgers Black Silk was presented to each, Lisi ask “what was
all the commotion last night? Are you OK Gabriel – Caleb?”
“It’s too bad they always bring this shit
back up when you just want to forget about it.”
