Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: HANDIWORK (01/14/21)
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TITLE: Eye See You | Previous Challenge Entry
By Jennifer Champion
01/18/21 -
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Hopefully, the coffee I am brewing will mask the antiseptic odor before Sissy arrives. A quick glance at the clock above Elevator 3b tells me she probably just came through the main gate. Someone is in her chair today so she will not like that, but I have an idea that might work. Near the window, next to Ms. Gladys is a cozy spot. Gladys is a sweet lady and will do well with Sissy nearby. There is also a calming painting of a beach on the wall and a nice spider plant on the table. It takes about ten minutes for Sissy to get from the parking lot to the third floor, so I had better prepare Gladys.
“Good morning, Gladys.” I peer into her eyes as I hand her a fresh cup of coffee with two hazelnut creamers.
She smiles back and reaches for it carefully with her wrinkled hands. “Oh, thank you Linda. You must have read my mind. I was about to come over there a pour myself a cup. Did you hear about Tootie’s daughter?”
I nodded. Tootie was a single mom to thirteen-year-old twins, Sophie, and Molly. The girls had gone on a school band trip and on the way, a drunk driver hit their bus. Sophie has been on the third floor for two weeks. She died last night.
Gladys continued, “Poor Tootie. I have never heard someone scream so sorrowfully. At least my Buster has lived a long life. He got to do most of everything he wanted to do in life but that child…”
Gladys stopped herself before she started crying. I quickly changed the subject because Sissy would be arriving any minute now.
“Gladys, I need your help. Do you remember the young woman that sits over there by the bathroom? She has a caregiver with her every day.” Gladys nodded. She knew exactly who I was talking about because Sissy could be rather loud at times.
“Well, Mr. Taylor is in her seat today and I can’t ask him to move with his bad leg and all so I was hoping Sissy could sit with you today. I’m really sorry. I know she can be loud and unpredictable. I mean, you have enough on your mind as it is with Buster. I don’t know what else to do though.” By now, I was in a panic. If Gladys said no, I’d have to ask Mr. Taylor to move.
Gladys smiled and took my hand. She looked me square in the eyes and said, “Sissy can sit with me everyday for as long as I am here. If Buster passes before Sissy’s mother does or gets moved, then I’ll come back and sit with her still. She and I are going to be good friends. See, Sissy is no different than you or me. God made her too.”
With that final thought, the elevator dinged, and I rushed over to greet Sissy and her caregiver, Tabitha. Today Sissy is wearing a red cape like superheroes in cartoons do and bright yellow sneakers. She jumps up and down and screams with excitement when she sees me. I turn Sissy’s attention to the corner of the room where Gladys is located and whisper to Tabitha my plan. She nods and gives me that look that says, “I hope this works.”
As I brew the fourth pot of coffee for the families and friends of the patients in the intensive care unit at Hope Medical Center, I see Gladys, Sissy and Tabitha over in the corner. Gladys is teaching Sissy how to “talk with her hands”. Sign language has become a game and Sissy has never been so quiet. Gladys was right, God made us all. Some of us are severely autistic like Sissy and others are deaf like Buster. I have poor eyesight but thanks to Gladys, I now have a new way of seeing people. We are all wonderfully made.
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You have drawn your characters and their interaction very well, which is not easy to do. A touch of red ink would relate to occasional drifting between past and present tense, which is unfortunately very easy to do. But overall, great work.
As I posted my comment, I'd wondered what your title could mean- until I saw "ICU!!!!!"
Very clever. Go to the top of the class!!!