Finally
Finally, I make one entry, but I'm a bit shy. I kind of nervous having other people critique my work and I'm still not sure how to post a story on this thing. Well...be gentle please.
Life’s Crossroads
The acrid smell of smoke, copper, and burning flesh shot through his nasal cavity. He felt a steady flow of something wet flowing from the side of his head. What just happened? Where was Jones? The staccato of automatics firing echoed deeply into his head as his vision blurred.
“C’mon, sweetie. Time to wake up,” Eli’s mother shook her son gently.
Eli abruptly opened his eyes wide. It was just a dream, no a memory. Jones died that day, a kinder fate than what Eli was left with. Eli was not sure why God did not take him that day. He was left with multiple contusions into his skull and permanently damaged his brain, impairing his speech. The explosion tore several muscles in his right leg, condemning him to use crutches for the rest of his life.
“Mwamwa?” Eli mumbled.
“Get up, sweetie. Mama has to go to work soon. Let’s go to the breakfast table. There’s yummy waffles and bacon today. You like bacon,” Eli’s mom urged.
Eli stared at his mother, incomprehensibly at first, then, slowly nodded. Eli motioned to get up by rolling towards his side. Eli’s mother carefully held him upright by lifting his shoulders. She attempted to carefully aid Eli into maneuvering his legs towards the floor. Eli pushed her hands away, wanting to get up on his own.
“Ai can duu eet maiself,” Eli said slowly in his hampered speech.
“I know you can, honey, but maybe I should help. It’ll be quicker,” she moved towards Eli to help him again.
“No!” Eli twisted himself away from her. “Ai can duu eet.”
“But it’ll be easier with Mummy sweetie. We want to eat breakfast soon, right?” she pleaded.
“No! Gwo away! Ai can duu eet maiself!” Eli shouted.
“Good lord, Marie. Just let him do whatever he wants. If he falls or calls for you then you can help him,” Eli’s father said from the doorway.
“But he’ll hurt himself!” Marie insisted.
“Then let him. He’ll learn that way,” Eli’s father replied.
“Frank!”
“C’mon, Marie. You’ll get nowhere trying to talk to him,” Frank said dismissively.
“He’ll hurt himself and end up in the hospital again!”
“No!” Eli shouted, “No! Geroff!”
“See, he agrees with me,” said Frank, “Let’s wait at the table, Marie. He’ll come when he’s ready.”
Marie bit her lip and finally relented. “Fine, but if he hurt himself, I’m holding you responsible, Frank!” She stomped on the way to the kitchen with Frank following closely behind.
Finally left to his own devices, Eli attempted to lift his body up from the bed. It pained him so heavily. His body felt like lead and his legs would not obey him. It seemed like knives were repeatedly piercing his flesh. It was a familiar feeling. After all, he has had bits of shrapnel lodged into his legs before. After numerous tries, Eli finally succeeded fifteen minutes later. He grabbed the crutches next to the bed and hobbled to the breakfast table. Frank was sitting at the table, reading a newspaper, and occasionally sipping coffee. He didn’t acknowledge Eli coming in. On the contrary, Marie hovered around Eli.
“Are you okay, honey? Did you hurt yourself anywhere?” Marie inquired worriedly.
“He’s fine, Marie,” Frank replied.
“I didn’t ask you, Frank!” Marie snapped.
Eli didn’t answer and just took a seat at the table. He placed his crutches aside and lifted his fork to spear the bacon on his plate.
“Do you want some syrup with those waffles, sweetie?” Marie asked with a pleading smile on her face while lifting the pancake syrup bottle.
Eli sighed heavily and simply nodded, giving into his mother’s whims. Marie excitedly lavished his waffles with enough syrup to drown them. Some of the syrup leaked onto the bacon. Eli made a grimace but does not say anything to his mother. He hurriedly spears his bacon strips and shoveled them into his mouth before more syrup could get mixed with them.
“Goodness, you must have been starving, honey. Here, here’s more bacon,”
Marie quickly placed more bacon on Eli’s plate. Right on top of the excess syrup.
Eli’s face twitched almost unnoticeably.
“Frank, did you see that? Eli smiled!” Marie whispered loudly.
“Meh,” Frank replied.
“You could show some more enthusiasm for your son, you know,” Marie said.
“I will when I see something good,” Frank said.
“Well maybe you’d see something good if you’d put that damn paper down for once!” Marie stated angrily.
“Hey, reading the newspaper is enriching for the mind. It keeps me up to date with global issues,” Frank argued.
“What global issues? You’re reading the damn sports section!” Marie fired back.
“It’s analyzing the results of the FIFA World Cup. See, world which means global issues,” Frank countered.
“You’re impossible!” Marie growled.
“You mean, I’m right,” Frank said.
Eli ignored his parents as they got into another argument. He finished off his bacon and attempted to salvage the ruin mess of waffles by scraping as much syrup off as he can. He bit onto a piece and makes another grimace. Too sweet, too syrupy, and a hot soggy mess. However, regardless of the distastefulness of the waffles, he still ate them. No doubt, his mother would go into another worry fit if he didn’t finish his food.
“Oh, I forgot,” Frank started, “Delilah’s going to be here any minute.”
“Why is she coming?” Marie asked.
“Because we’re both going to work today, remember?” Frank drawled.
“Why did we hire again?” Marie asked.
“Because we needed some help with Eli, maybe?” Frank replied.
“But why did we hire her, exactly?”
“Well, I guess because she was most qualified?”
“But how do we know that exactly?”
“Look, what’s the problem? She’s helping Eli learn how to get around while we’re gone and Eli gets along with her. What’s the big deal?” Frank was getting tired of Marie’s inquiries.
“She touches Eli so much all the time.”
“Uh, that might be because she’s his nurse, maybe?”
“Whatever, it doesn’t look appropriate. She could have been some back alley whore in the past for all we know,” Marie said.
Eli slammed his fork onto the table. He’ll tolerate the overbearing smothering, snide remarks about him, the ruin of his breakfast, but he will not tolerate anyone insulting the love of his life, the only good thing that he has left in this world. Delilah started working to help Eli a year ago. The combination of the constant care that Eli required and the need for Marie to go back to work, caused the necessity of Delilah’s presence. Eli had taken one look of her chestnut shining tresses, clear blue eyes, and gentle smile and fell in love immediately.
“Shwee’s not w-like that,” Eli struggled to say.
“Look, you made him mad again, Marie. Why can’t you ever keep your mouth shut?” Frank sighed.
Marie turned her head to glare at her husband. She opened her mouth to yell at him when suddenly the doorbell ranged. Marie stomped to the door and angrily swung it open. Startled, a lovely young woman backed up a step. She smiled nervously as Marie glared at her, not budging from the door nor inviting her in. Frank hurriedly walked over to the door to push Marie away.
“Ah, don’t mind her. She’s just having a bad day or something. The time of the month, you know? PMS and all that?” Frank quickly explained.
Eyes widening in realization, Delilah visibly relaxed, “Oh, no problem at all. I understand. I have those days too.”
“I am not PMSing!” Marie yelled indignantly.
“Don’t listen to her. She forgot to check her calendar. Honey, you really need to keep track of these things,” Frank laughed while waving his hand.
“You little-!” Marie started.
“But enough of that. Come in, come in. We were just about to leave,” Frank interrupted. He motioned Delilah to enter. Unsurely, Delilah stepped into the apartment.
Eli looked at her coming into the threshold. A wide grin spread over his face. She was finally here. She can finally save him from the chaos from the pain in the asses that called themselves his parents. Delilah was like a fresh drink of water after a long dry spell. Eli drank the site of her like a man parched for ages.
“Haaaii, Deeelllliillllaaaahh,” Eli greeted happily.
“Hi, Eli. You know you could just call be Dee,” she reminded him.
He didn’t want to. He thought that her name was beautiful, much like her. He wanted to be able to pronounce it perfectly someday. To refuse saying her name correctly would be like not giving the credit that she so justly deserves. However, Eli just nodded and pretended that he just forgot to call her by her nickname.
Marie glared jealously at Delilah behind her back. Marie opened her mouth to say something when once again Frank interrupted her.
“Oh, look at the time. We need to go, Marie. We’re going to be late if we don’t leave right now,” Frank emphasized. He pushes Marie towards the door and shoves her purse into her hands.
“Wait, I wanted to-,” Marie started.
“C’mon, Marie. By right now, I meant right now,” Frank said with a meaningful look.
Marie sighed and finally consented. “Oh, all right. Bye sweetie. Mummy loves you. She’s gonna miss you lots.”
Frank and Marie exited the apartment and left Eli and Delilah alone.
“So, let’s check how your legs are working to start off,” Delilah said while clapping her hands together.
Eli simply nodded in consent, too embarrassed by the scene his mother made to say anything.
Delilah moved to her knees in front of Eli in order to grasp his leg. She moved it into different directions to see how flexible it was and how much pain it caused Eli. After testing the mobility of Eli’s body, she massaged his muscles in order to sooth any sores or pain. This was Eli’s favorite part. It was as though she was soothing the pains of his soul along with his body parts.
She was kneeling and had Eli’s foot on her lap and in her hands. She kneaded his foot and worked up to his leg. She traced the numerous ridged scars delicately, making sure that she didn’t press too hard. While looking up through her long lashes, she asked “Does it hurt? Tell me if it’s too much.”
Eli shook his head. “Aaiiimm oookkkaaayyy.” He was too absorbed watching her to feel any pain. It was addicting to watch her focus with such intense concentration. The shy concern she displayed when she thought he might be in pain nearly made his heart burst.
After the physical session was done, Delilah gave Eli speech exercises which they practiced together. She made him lunch when the time had come. After Eli had finished his exercises, they were free to spend their time however they wanted like watching a movie. Around mid-afternoon, Delilah’s cell phone rang with a sexy Beyoncé song. It surprised Eli. He didn’t expect that Delilah would care much about pop culture. Delilah took her cell out of her bag to look at the caller ID.
“Sorry Eli. I have to answer this,” Delilah said.
“Eeets oookkaaayy,” Eli replied.
“Hello? Hey, what’s going on? That’s why you called me. Dave, you know that I’m at work,” Delilah said.
Eli was curious. Who was Dave? Her brother perhaps? Delilah didn’t talk much about her family with him.
“You have surprise for me? That’s sweet and unusual of you,” Delilah said.
Suddenly, the doorbell rang.
“That’s strange. Frank and Marie shouldn’t be done with work yet. Hey Dave, I’m hanging up now someone’s at the door,” she said as she opened the door.
“Hey, babe. Surprise,” said the young man behind the door.
“Dave! What are you doing here? I’m working! And how did you know about this place anyway!” Delilah said.
“I just asked the agency. The chick at the receptionist desk told me,” Dave said innocently.
“She just told you,” Delilah said flatly.
“Yup.”
“No questions asked.”
“Nope.”
“Just like that.”
“Yup.”
“Yea, right,” Delilah scoffed.
“C’mon, babe. I wanted to see you. We hardly get to spend time together anymore,” Dave complained.
“That’s because I work. Why don’t you try it for once?” she asked.
“I do! Just not like you do. C’mon cupcake, what’s the harm in me coming over?”
“I can get fired! That’s what!”
“Who’s gonna tell? That guy? The retard?”
“Don’t call him that!”
“Deeeellllliiiiilllllaaaa? Hoooooosssss that?” Eli asked with a frown.
Delilah sighed and covered her forehead in exasperation. “This is my boyfriend, Dave. He came to visit.”
“Yo,” Dave greeted.
Eli thought that his heart had shattered at her words. His angel was taken? By this punk? This brute of a man?
Mistaking his face for being annoyed, Delilah reassured, “Don’t worry. He’ll be leaving soon.”
“Aw, c’mon babe. I came all this way to see you,” Dave whined.
“No!” Delilah answered.
Eli observed their argument carefully. Are they really together? She doesn’t seem to like him very much. Maybe she’s thinking of breaking up with him.
“Hwess lweeevvvviiing soon?” Eli asked.
Turning her head away from Dave, “Yea, he’s gonna leave soon.”
“But babe!” Dave pleaded.
Suddenly, the smoke alarm blared across the apartment.
“Oh crap, I forgot about the meatloaf! Dave, if you’re not gone by the time I come back, then you can just forget about our date!” Delilah said as she ran into the kitchen.
Eli looked at her as she ran with besotted eyes. She can be so adorable when she was clumsy.
Dave noticed Eli’s heavy focus in Delilah’s direction. It was obvious to him that Eli had more than fond affections for his girl.
“I know what you’re up to dude but don’t even think about it. She’s my girl not yours,” Dave said.
Eli turned his attention to Dave. The buffoon reminded him of a dog pissing on a tree to make his claim. The barbarian probably would do the same with Delilah if given the option.
“Besides, even if she wasn’t my girlfriend, do you think you got a shot with her? You can’t even talk right. If you weren’t her patient, she wouldn’t give you the time of day,” Dave sneered, “I bet you can’t even cross the street without holding your mommy’s hand.”
Stricken, Eli could not answer. What Dave said might be the truth. Why would Delilah or any woman besides his mother come to love him?
Soon Dave left and Eli was left alone with Delilah again; however, he could not enjoy her company as much as before. Dave’s words kept echoing in head. Delilah’s shift was coming to an end.
“Hey Eli. I’m gonna head out now. Your parents should be coming home soon,” she left Eli to his thoughts around a half hour before the time his parents were to arrive home.
Fifteen minutes before his parents due arrival time, Eli made up his mind. He can cross the street by himself. He’s not some child. He will prove that Dave was wrong. Eli took his crutches and exited the apartment building. He hobbled over to the busy intersection nearby the apartment building. It was rush hour and many cars were speeding by, eager to get home. Eli waited impatiently for the pedestrian signal to glow.
Why was the world making his life so difficult? Why were all these problems thrown into his face? Can’t the world let him live his life the way he wanted to? These people owed it to him. He kept them safe at the cost of his leg, his speech, his way of life really.
Eli marched into the busy intersection, crossing it, despite the incoming cars. The cars honk and blare loudly. They swerve and stop around him. Angry drivers yelled and shook their fists out the window, occasionally flipping the bird. Heart beating frantically, Eli ignored them all. Sweat dripped like a rainfall from the side of his face. His legs were killing him. They were unused to this kind of strenuous activity. Eli ignored it all. He only had one thing at his mind and that was to reach the end.
With heavy heaves, Eli finally reached the end of the crosswalk. He crossed the street with no help despite the obstacles. It was exhilarating. He felt liberated. Despite the busy cars, the angry people, despite what Dave said, Eli was able to do what people told him that he couldn’t do. Suddenly, Eli thought he has to do it again, just to make sure that it wasn’t a fluke. So he crossed the busy street again and again. As Eli was crossing the street for fifth time, the sound of wailing sirens got louder and louder. Two burly policemen got out of their cars and grabbed Eli pulling him away from the crosswalk. Eli struggled futilely.
“No! Lebbe gwo! Ai can duu eet maiself! No! Lebbe gwo!” Eli cried out.
Eli twisted out of the policemen’s hold and fell to the ground and he wept and wept.
Life’s Crossroads
The acrid smell of smoke, copper, and burning flesh shot through his nasal cavity. He felt a steady flow of something wet flowing from the side of his head. What just happened? Where was Jones? The staccato of automatics firing echoed deeply into his head as his vision blurred.
“C’mon, sweetie. Time to wake up,” Eli’s mother shook her son gently.
Eli abruptly opened his eyes wide. It was just a dream, no a memory. Jones died that day, a kinder fate than what Eli was left with. Eli was not sure why God did not take him that day. He was left with multiple contusions into his skull and permanently damaged his brain, impairing his speech. The explosion tore several muscles in his right leg, condemning him to use crutches for the rest of his life.
“Mwamwa?” Eli mumbled.
“Get up, sweetie. Mama has to go to work soon. Let’s go to the breakfast table. There’s yummy waffles and bacon today. You like bacon,” Eli’s mom urged.
Eli stared at his mother, incomprehensibly at first, then, slowly nodded. Eli motioned to get up by rolling towards his side. Eli’s mother carefully held him upright by lifting his shoulders. She attempted to carefully aid Eli into maneuvering his legs towards the floor. Eli pushed her hands away, wanting to get up on his own.
“Ai can duu eet maiself,” Eli said slowly in his hampered speech.
“I know you can, honey, but maybe I should help. It’ll be quicker,” she moved towards Eli to help him again.
“No!” Eli twisted himself away from her. “Ai can duu eet.”
“But it’ll be easier with Mummy sweetie. We want to eat breakfast soon, right?” she pleaded.
“No! Gwo away! Ai can duu eet maiself!” Eli shouted.
“Good lord, Marie. Just let him do whatever he wants. If he falls or calls for you then you can help him,” Eli’s father said from the doorway.
“But he’ll hurt himself!” Marie insisted.
“Then let him. He’ll learn that way,” Eli’s father replied.
“Frank!”
“C’mon, Marie. You’ll get nowhere trying to talk to him,” Frank said dismissively.
“He’ll hurt himself and end up in the hospital again!”
“No!” Eli shouted, “No! Geroff!”
“See, he agrees with me,” said Frank, “Let’s wait at the table, Marie. He’ll come when he’s ready.”
Marie bit her lip and finally relented. “Fine, but if he hurt himself, I’m holding you responsible, Frank!” She stomped on the way to the kitchen with Frank following closely behind.
Finally left to his own devices, Eli attempted to lift his body up from the bed. It pained him so heavily. His body felt like lead and his legs would not obey him. It seemed like knives were repeatedly piercing his flesh. It was a familiar feeling. After all, he has had bits of shrapnel lodged into his legs before. After numerous tries, Eli finally succeeded fifteen minutes later. He grabbed the crutches next to the bed and hobbled to the breakfast table. Frank was sitting at the table, reading a newspaper, and occasionally sipping coffee. He didn’t acknowledge Eli coming in. On the contrary, Marie hovered around Eli.
“Are you okay, honey? Did you hurt yourself anywhere?” Marie inquired worriedly.
“He’s fine, Marie,” Frank replied.
“I didn’t ask you, Frank!” Marie snapped.
Eli didn’t answer and just took a seat at the table. He placed his crutches aside and lifted his fork to spear the bacon on his plate.
“Do you want some syrup with those waffles, sweetie?” Marie asked with a pleading smile on her face while lifting the pancake syrup bottle.
Eli sighed heavily and simply nodded, giving into his mother’s whims. Marie excitedly lavished his waffles with enough syrup to drown them. Some of the syrup leaked onto the bacon. Eli made a grimace but does not say anything to his mother. He hurriedly spears his bacon strips and shoveled them into his mouth before more syrup could get mixed with them.
“Goodness, you must have been starving, honey. Here, here’s more bacon,”
Marie quickly placed more bacon on Eli’s plate. Right on top of the excess syrup.
Eli’s face twitched almost unnoticeably.
“Frank, did you see that? Eli smiled!” Marie whispered loudly.
“Meh,” Frank replied.
“You could show some more enthusiasm for your son, you know,” Marie said.
“I will when I see something good,” Frank said.
“Well maybe you’d see something good if you’d put that damn paper down for once!” Marie stated angrily.
“Hey, reading the newspaper is enriching for the mind. It keeps me up to date with global issues,” Frank argued.
“What global issues? You’re reading the damn sports section!” Marie fired back.
“It’s analyzing the results of the FIFA World Cup. See, world which means global issues,” Frank countered.
“You’re impossible!” Marie growled.
“You mean, I’m right,” Frank said.
Eli ignored his parents as they got into another argument. He finished off his bacon and attempted to salvage the ruin mess of waffles by scraping as much syrup off as he can. He bit onto a piece and makes another grimace. Too sweet, too syrupy, and a hot soggy mess. However, regardless of the distastefulness of the waffles, he still ate them. No doubt, his mother would go into another worry fit if he didn’t finish his food.
“Oh, I forgot,” Frank started, “Delilah’s going to be here any minute.”
“Why is she coming?” Marie asked.
“Because we’re both going to work today, remember?” Frank drawled.
“Why did we hire again?” Marie asked.
“Because we needed some help with Eli, maybe?” Frank replied.
“But why did we hire her, exactly?”
“Well, I guess because she was most qualified?”
“But how do we know that exactly?”
“Look, what’s the problem? She’s helping Eli learn how to get around while we’re gone and Eli gets along with her. What’s the big deal?” Frank was getting tired of Marie’s inquiries.
“She touches Eli so much all the time.”
“Uh, that might be because she’s his nurse, maybe?”
“Whatever, it doesn’t look appropriate. She could have been some back alley whore in the past for all we know,” Marie said.
Eli slammed his fork onto the table. He’ll tolerate the overbearing smothering, snide remarks about him, the ruin of his breakfast, but he will not tolerate anyone insulting the love of his life, the only good thing that he has left in this world. Delilah started working to help Eli a year ago. The combination of the constant care that Eli required and the need for Marie to go back to work, caused the necessity of Delilah’s presence. Eli had taken one look of her chestnut shining tresses, clear blue eyes, and gentle smile and fell in love immediately.
“Shwee’s not w-like that,” Eli struggled to say.
“Look, you made him mad again, Marie. Why can’t you ever keep your mouth shut?” Frank sighed.
Marie turned her head to glare at her husband. She opened her mouth to yell at him when suddenly the doorbell ranged. Marie stomped to the door and angrily swung it open. Startled, a lovely young woman backed up a step. She smiled nervously as Marie glared at her, not budging from the door nor inviting her in. Frank hurriedly walked over to the door to push Marie away.
“Ah, don’t mind her. She’s just having a bad day or something. The time of the month, you know? PMS and all that?” Frank quickly explained.
Eyes widening in realization, Delilah visibly relaxed, “Oh, no problem at all. I understand. I have those days too.”
“I am not PMSing!” Marie yelled indignantly.
“Don’t listen to her. She forgot to check her calendar. Honey, you really need to keep track of these things,” Frank laughed while waving his hand.
“You little-!” Marie started.
“But enough of that. Come in, come in. We were just about to leave,” Frank interrupted. He motioned Delilah to enter. Unsurely, Delilah stepped into the apartment.
Eli looked at her coming into the threshold. A wide grin spread over his face. She was finally here. She can finally save him from the chaos from the pain in the asses that called themselves his parents. Delilah was like a fresh drink of water after a long dry spell. Eli drank the site of her like a man parched for ages.
“Haaaii, Deeelllliillllaaaahh,” Eli greeted happily.
“Hi, Eli. You know you could just call be Dee,” she reminded him.
He didn’t want to. He thought that her name was beautiful, much like her. He wanted to be able to pronounce it perfectly someday. To refuse saying her name correctly would be like not giving the credit that she so justly deserves. However, Eli just nodded and pretended that he just forgot to call her by her nickname.
Marie glared jealously at Delilah behind her back. Marie opened her mouth to say something when once again Frank interrupted her.
“Oh, look at the time. We need to go, Marie. We’re going to be late if we don’t leave right now,” Frank emphasized. He pushes Marie towards the door and shoves her purse into her hands.
“Wait, I wanted to-,” Marie started.
“C’mon, Marie. By right now, I meant right now,” Frank said with a meaningful look.
Marie sighed and finally consented. “Oh, all right. Bye sweetie. Mummy loves you. She’s gonna miss you lots.”
Frank and Marie exited the apartment and left Eli and Delilah alone.
“So, let’s check how your legs are working to start off,” Delilah said while clapping her hands together.
Eli simply nodded in consent, too embarrassed by the scene his mother made to say anything.
Delilah moved to her knees in front of Eli in order to grasp his leg. She moved it into different directions to see how flexible it was and how much pain it caused Eli. After testing the mobility of Eli’s body, she massaged his muscles in order to sooth any sores or pain. This was Eli’s favorite part. It was as though she was soothing the pains of his soul along with his body parts.
She was kneeling and had Eli’s foot on her lap and in her hands. She kneaded his foot and worked up to his leg. She traced the numerous ridged scars delicately, making sure that she didn’t press too hard. While looking up through her long lashes, she asked “Does it hurt? Tell me if it’s too much.”
Eli shook his head. “Aaiiimm oookkkaaayyy.” He was too absorbed watching her to feel any pain. It was addicting to watch her focus with such intense concentration. The shy concern she displayed when she thought he might be in pain nearly made his heart burst.
After the physical session was done, Delilah gave Eli speech exercises which they practiced together. She made him lunch when the time had come. After Eli had finished his exercises, they were free to spend their time however they wanted like watching a movie. Around mid-afternoon, Delilah’s cell phone rang with a sexy Beyoncé song. It surprised Eli. He didn’t expect that Delilah would care much about pop culture. Delilah took her cell out of her bag to look at the caller ID.
“Sorry Eli. I have to answer this,” Delilah said.
“Eeets oookkaaayy,” Eli replied.
“Hello? Hey, what’s going on? That’s why you called me. Dave, you know that I’m at work,” Delilah said.
Eli was curious. Who was Dave? Her brother perhaps? Delilah didn’t talk much about her family with him.
“You have surprise for me? That’s sweet and unusual of you,” Delilah said.
Suddenly, the doorbell rang.
“That’s strange. Frank and Marie shouldn’t be done with work yet. Hey Dave, I’m hanging up now someone’s at the door,” she said as she opened the door.
“Hey, babe. Surprise,” said the young man behind the door.
“Dave! What are you doing here? I’m working! And how did you know about this place anyway!” Delilah said.
“I just asked the agency. The chick at the receptionist desk told me,” Dave said innocently.
“She just told you,” Delilah said flatly.
“Yup.”
“No questions asked.”
“Nope.”
“Just like that.”
“Yup.”
“Yea, right,” Delilah scoffed.
“C’mon, babe. I wanted to see you. We hardly get to spend time together anymore,” Dave complained.
“That’s because I work. Why don’t you try it for once?” she asked.
“I do! Just not like you do. C’mon cupcake, what’s the harm in me coming over?”
“I can get fired! That’s what!”
“Who’s gonna tell? That guy? The retard?”
“Don’t call him that!”
“Deeeellllliiiiilllllaaaa? Hoooooosssss that?” Eli asked with a frown.
Delilah sighed and covered her forehead in exasperation. “This is my boyfriend, Dave. He came to visit.”
“Yo,” Dave greeted.
Eli thought that his heart had shattered at her words. His angel was taken? By this punk? This brute of a man?
Mistaking his face for being annoyed, Delilah reassured, “Don’t worry. He’ll be leaving soon.”
“Aw, c’mon babe. I came all this way to see you,” Dave whined.
“No!” Delilah answered.
Eli observed their argument carefully. Are they really together? She doesn’t seem to like him very much. Maybe she’s thinking of breaking up with him.
“Hwess lweeevvvviiing soon?” Eli asked.
Turning her head away from Dave, “Yea, he’s gonna leave soon.”
“But babe!” Dave pleaded.
Suddenly, the smoke alarm blared across the apartment.
“Oh crap, I forgot about the meatloaf! Dave, if you’re not gone by the time I come back, then you can just forget about our date!” Delilah said as she ran into the kitchen.
Eli looked at her as she ran with besotted eyes. She can be so adorable when she was clumsy.
Dave noticed Eli’s heavy focus in Delilah’s direction. It was obvious to him that Eli had more than fond affections for his girl.
“I know what you’re up to dude but don’t even think about it. She’s my girl not yours,” Dave said.
Eli turned his attention to Dave. The buffoon reminded him of a dog pissing on a tree to make his claim. The barbarian probably would do the same with Delilah if given the option.
“Besides, even if she wasn’t my girlfriend, do you think you got a shot with her? You can’t even talk right. If you weren’t her patient, she wouldn’t give you the time of day,” Dave sneered, “I bet you can’t even cross the street without holding your mommy’s hand.”
Stricken, Eli could not answer. What Dave said might be the truth. Why would Delilah or any woman besides his mother come to love him?
Soon Dave left and Eli was left alone with Delilah again; however, he could not enjoy her company as much as before. Dave’s words kept echoing in head. Delilah’s shift was coming to an end.
“Hey Eli. I’m gonna head out now. Your parents should be coming home soon,” she left Eli to his thoughts around a half hour before the time his parents were to arrive home.
Fifteen minutes before his parents due arrival time, Eli made up his mind. He can cross the street by himself. He’s not some child. He will prove that Dave was wrong. Eli took his crutches and exited the apartment building. He hobbled over to the busy intersection nearby the apartment building. It was rush hour and many cars were speeding by, eager to get home. Eli waited impatiently for the pedestrian signal to glow.
Why was the world making his life so difficult? Why were all these problems thrown into his face? Can’t the world let him live his life the way he wanted to? These people owed it to him. He kept them safe at the cost of his leg, his speech, his way of life really.
Eli marched into the busy intersection, crossing it, despite the incoming cars. The cars honk and blare loudly. They swerve and stop around him. Angry drivers yelled and shook their fists out the window, occasionally flipping the bird. Heart beating frantically, Eli ignored them all. Sweat dripped like a rainfall from the side of his face. His legs were killing him. They were unused to this kind of strenuous activity. Eli ignored it all. He only had one thing at his mind and that was to reach the end.
With heavy heaves, Eli finally reached the end of the crosswalk. He crossed the street with no help despite the obstacles. It was exhilarating. He felt liberated. Despite the busy cars, the angry people, despite what Dave said, Eli was able to do what people told him that he couldn’t do. Suddenly, Eli thought he has to do it again, just to make sure that it wasn’t a fluke. So he crossed the busy street again and again. As Eli was crossing the street for fifth time, the sound of wailing sirens got louder and louder. Two burly policemen got out of their cars and grabbed Eli pulling him away from the crosswalk. Eli struggled futilely.
“No! Lebbe gwo! Ai can duu eet maiself! No! Lebbe gwo!” Eli cried out.
Eli twisted out of the policemen’s hold and fell to the ground and he wept and wept.