isabelle

I stood in front of the white mansion while looking down at a tiny white box in my hands. Big black gates opened up when the security guard recognised me. I waved at him with a smile while his face reflected one too.

This was a senior home. I had volunteered at this place 2 years ago and instantly fell in love with everyone at the house. The only occupants were elders, who had nothing but love to offer. It pained my heart to know that such amazing people were sent away from their families because they appeared as a 'burden' to them. There were a few people who would come visit on occasion but, I never fancied them.  

Even after volunteering to help the older folks for three months, I did not stop visiting them. For the past two years, all my Friday evenings were spent here. Everyone who worked and stayed in this place was family to me. 

All the grandma's and pa's were excited on Fridays, expecting their families to stop by during the weekends. This atmosphere always made me happy. Their Monday's however, were the gloomiest of all days. I had once not been able to make a trip to the senior home on Friday so stopped by them on a Monday evening.

Their spirits were dulled out and I could not understand why. That was until one of the helpers told me, "No one came to visit them." Those words had to be the saddest things spoken. I mentally cursed at all the people who gave up on their parents when they reached old age. 

That evening, I tried my best to cheer everyone's spirits up and I think it worked. They were not sulking as much and some of them were even laughing amongst each other, this eased my nerves. I felt a smile reach my face when the realisation hit me, I helped them smile.

I never felt more good about myself than I did that day. The helpers had also noticed this and made sure to tell me about the effect I had on them. 

From then on, I made sure to visit them on Monday evenings as well. To help them get over their disappointments and sometimes, to just hear them vent out.

They dedicated all of their adult life towards raising their kids and when they  needed help? They were just sent away to some strange place with a bunch of other helpless people.

However, this senior home had a nice group of elders who were extremely kind and helpful. I loved everyone here and this place was my second home.

"Isa!" Jane exclaimed and pulled me into an embrace.

I greeted her with a warm smile while the rest of the gang surrounded me, some of them hugging and kissing me too.

Jane prompted everyone to take a seat on the circular couch that was situated in the center of the room. She has been living at the senior home much longer than the others; she cared deeply for all of them and was always in a jolly mood. I was made to sit in the center while everybody else sat around me.

"How was school, dear?" Mia asked me with an excited smile on her face.

They never really got to hear about other people's lives in person so, were always eager to know about mine. I gladly shared everything that happened since my last visit. They listened intently. My life wasn't interesting but I still shared it with them. They just wanted to talk to someone new and would never judge me. I always felt safe around them.

After they were all caught up with my life events, it was my turn to start questioning them. "Are all of you taking your pills on time?"

They nodded in response. 

"How was the check up with your doctor, Ella?"

"Oh, it was the same old, darlin'. Don't go worryin' about it now," she told me.

"And, your leg Mia? Has the swelling reduced? Here, let me see," I said walking upto her.

This was how my evenings here usually went by. I'd tell them about school, then go on asking about everybody. I made sure to ask everyone a question because the smile that lit up their face whenever they heard their name, it was priceless. They felt recognised and I could just imagine their brains going 'oh, she remembered!'

The small things were what mattered to them. 

After catching up with everyone and listening to them talk about Bingo night, it was almost time for their dinner. The older folks were used to sleeping early so having dinner at 6 wasn't surprising. When I got up to take my leave,  Martha stood with me so that she could see me off. I hugged everyone and said my goodbye's before making my towards the door.

I could see Martha slowly walk towards it and quickly caught up with her.

"This is for you," I told her once we were outside the house. I held out the white box with containing airpods.

"What's this, Isabelle?" she questioned me. 

"You told me that your gramophone stopped working the other day. These earphones will help you listen to music better from your phone," I told her, knowing about her bad hearing. She had to hold her phone really close to her ear if she wanted to hear anything and this tired her arm out. "You'll also be able to talk on the phone longer, more effectively too." I added, sounding like an advertiser.

"Oh no, I can't accept this. It must have cost you a fortune. I should be the one spoiling you, dear," she joked while shaking her head.

"No, don't worry about that. My parents gifted them to me last year and I still haven't used them. At least they'll be helping you out if you have them," I said and placed the airpods in her hand. "Please take it, Martha," I insisted.

She finally gave in. "Oh, my darling. Come here." She pulled me into a hug. "You don't know how much you mean to us, Isabelle. Thank you so much." She placed a kiss on my forehead as we pulled away from the hug.

"It's nothing. So, I'll see you in a few days then. Bye, Martha. Take care of yourself."

"You too, dear."

~⨯~