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- Story Listed as: Fiction For Adults
- Theme: Family & Friends
- Subject: Life Experience
- Published: 07/06/2018
Best Wishes
Born 1944, F, from Melbourne, FL, United StatesBest Wishes
by
Valerie Allen
“Good morning,” Ms. Roddenbury. Walter tipped his cap, stepped to the back passenger side of the slick black limo, and opened the door. Gently, he touched the woman's elbow and guided her into the back seat. “How are you doing today?”
“Great, Walter. Just great.”
He laughed. “Love your positive attitude.”
Gladys lifted her chin. “Well, I woke up this morning, all my parts are working, and I'm 75 years old. I figure that's a great way to start the day.”
Walter grinned. “No arguing with that.” He closed the door. He walked around to the driver's side and slid in behind the wheel. “How's that air conditioning? Not too hot, not too cold?”
“It's just right for me.”
Walter looked at his passenger in the rear view mirror. Youthful for her age, dressed in tan walking shorts and a tropical shirt, with matching socks and sturdy walking shoes. “You're looking good as ever since I saw you last year.”
“I feel good too and I look forward to having a fun day.”
“What's the plan this year?”
“We'll start over at the Salvation Army Shelter to pick up my 'adopted family'. Then off to the IHOP for breakfast—you're included too, Walter.”
“You don't need to buy me breakfast. I already ate this morning.”
She moved forward in her seat and wagged her finger at him. “Well, you're allowed to eat again. My treat. At least, have some coffee and a pastry.”
“Yes, Ma'am, thank you.”
“After IHOP we'll go to the mall for a shopping spree, then lunch, then to the zoo, and after that, it's dinner at Bubba's BBQ.”
“Wow, that's a long day you have planned.”
She stared out the side window and breathed deeply. “I know, but it's better than sitting alone, waiting for the phone to ring. It's only once a year and I enjoy doing it.”
“I'm sure your adopted family will love you for it.”
Gladys spoke softly. “Family's what it's all about.”
“So true,” Walter said. “Eating out, shopping, a day of fun—it'll be a memory they'll have for a long time.”
“I hope so. Speaking of eating, do you have all the goodies I ordered in the limo?”
“Absolutely. There're all kinds of juice, cookies, and snacks. I filled every shelf and side pocket.”
“Good. Those kids love exploring, opening every cabinet, pushing every button—lucky they can't self-eject or they'd try that too.”
Walter half turned to look at her. “I think their mom will be forever grateful.”
Gladys slowly nodded her head. “Moms deserve some happiness too.”
* * *
“You sure pulled a long one today,” the girl in dispatch said. She looked up from her Introduction to Psychology textbook. She was in her 20's, heavy, with yellow straw hair—bleached once too often—and a small gold stud in the side of her nose. “It'll be midnight before you have that limo washed and cleaned.” She glanced at the posted schedule list. “Don't forget, you have an eight o'clock run to the airport tomorrow morning.”
Walter lifted his cap and wiped his forehead with the back of his hand. “No problem. How's college coming along?”
She patted the textbook. “I hate it, but this class is interesting.”
He glanced at the book. “Ready to psych out everyone?”
“Not yet, but soon.” She flipped her hair back and looked at him. “Hope you got a big tip for today's run.”
He winked. “Hundred bucks.”
“Nice. Very nice. Hope he's a return customer.”
“It's a she—Ms. Gladys Roddenbury. She's an annual customer.”
“Annual? She calls once a year to have you drive her around?”
“Yep. Every year she pulls out all the stops and spends money like it was water on a rainy day.”
“Annual customer? If she only shops once a year, no wonder she spends so much money.”
Walter looked at the girl. “She doesn't spend a dime on herself.”
“Does she take her family on these shopping sprees?”
“No. That's the sad part. Over the years she's said a few things about them, but not too many details. She has kids, but they don't bother with her—too busy with their own lives. One time she said, 'It's funny how one woman can take care of three kids, but those three kids can't take care of their one and only mother'.”
The girl nodded. “Hmm. Guess she's right about that. Does she live in one of those million dollar condos on the water?”
Walter shook his head. “Nope. Strange thing is, she lives in The Towers.”
“The Towers? Gosh, you gotta be one small step up from homeless to live there.”
“That's right—government housing. To qualify, your only allowed income is Social Security.”
“So, she must be hiding money somewhere. Maybe it's those kids. Maybe they can't find time to care about her, so they throw money at her once a year as a way to avoid feeling guilty.”
Walter widened his eyes. “You're reading way too much into that psychology book.”
“Hey, I'm just sayin' where does she get all that spendin' money? Selling drugs or somethin'?”
“I doubt it.”
“Don't be so sure. Those old folks have been known to stockpile their meds.”
“I doubt she's on any medication. She's a spry one. She walks around all day keeping up with her adopted family, with no complaints.”
“Her adopted family?”
“Yep. She goes to the Salvation Army Shelter and we pick up a family to take with us,” Walter said. “Come the end of the day, I think I'm more worn out from those kids than she is.”
The girl tilted her head. “That's what happens when you get old, Walter.”
He squinted his eyes at her but said nothing.
“So what do you think is goin' on with her real kids?” the girl asked.
“I don't know, but she gets sorrowful when she talks about them. She said she's had a good life and is ready to meet the Lord any time now. She said she loves her kids, but her only regret is they didn't turn out better.”
“Does she have an ax murderer in the bunch?”
Walter laughed. “No, nothing like that.”
“Ah, maybe she's the one who feels guilty. Maybe she thinks she failed at being a 'good mother'.”
“No, I don't think so.” He glared at her. “Stop playing amateur psychologist.”
The girl wrinkled her nose. “So what do you think's goin' on with her?”
“She said she gave her kids all she had to give. She gave them her best shot. She doesn't understand why they rarely bother with her now. She says, 'If you're too busy for your own mother, then you are too busy'.”
The girl looked at Walter. “That makes sense.”
Walter nodded in agreement. “She's a fine lady who did right by her kids and everyone else in her life, even strangers. I think she pinches every penny all year to have this one day of pleasure by giving to others. It makes her happy to be with people and have them appreciate her.”
The girl tilted her head. “Why this same day each year?”
Walter smiled. “It's special. It's her birthday.”
# # #
Thank you for taking the time to read
Best Wishes.
If you enjoyed it,
please consider telling your friends
and posting a review on
Amazon.com or other online sites.
Word-of-mouth referrals are
an author's best friend
and much appreciated.
Copyright by Valerie Allen 2015
Amazon.com/dp/B010W4BOWG
Short Stories
by
Valerie Allen
A Good Thing on a Bad Day
A License to Practice
A Marriage of Convenience
A Mother's Love
A Tooth for a Tooth
Best Wishes
Brotherly Love
Conditional Love
Doggie Tales
Father's Day
Fire Engine Red
Fit for Life
Future Plans
Holiday Traditions
Home for the Holidays
I Remember Momma
Just Be Cos
Ladies in Waiting
Leisureville
Love is in the Air
Match-maker
Mother Knows Best
Potty Talk
Puppy Love
No Goin' Home
Second Chance
Small Steps
Split Second Timing
Thank You, Mr. Jackson!
The Garden of Love
The Penalty Box
Words of Wisdom
Valentine's Day
~ ~ ~
For More Information, please contact:
Valerie Allen
VAllenWriter@gmail.com
ValerieAllenWriter.com
Amazon.com/author/valerieallen
Best Wishes
by
Valerie Allen
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or events, is entirely coincidental.
Printed in the United States of America. All rights reserved. No part of this story may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the author.
Best Wishes(Valerie Allen)
Best Wishes
by
Valerie Allen
“Good morning,” Ms. Roddenbury. Walter tipped his cap, stepped to the back passenger side of the slick black limo, and opened the door. Gently, he touched the woman's elbow and guided her into the back seat. “How are you doing today?”
“Great, Walter. Just great.”
He laughed. “Love your positive attitude.”
Gladys lifted her chin. “Well, I woke up this morning, all my parts are working, and I'm 75 years old. I figure that's a great way to start the day.”
Walter grinned. “No arguing with that.” He closed the door. He walked around to the driver's side and slid in behind the wheel. “How's that air conditioning? Not too hot, not too cold?”
“It's just right for me.”
Walter looked at his passenger in the rear view mirror. Youthful for her age, dressed in tan walking shorts and a tropical shirt, with matching socks and sturdy walking shoes. “You're looking good as ever since I saw you last year.”
“I feel good too and I look forward to having a fun day.”
“What's the plan this year?”
“We'll start over at the Salvation Army Shelter to pick up my 'adopted family'. Then off to the IHOP for breakfast—you're included too, Walter.”
“You don't need to buy me breakfast. I already ate this morning.”
She moved forward in her seat and wagged her finger at him. “Well, you're allowed to eat again. My treat. At least, have some coffee and a pastry.”
“Yes, Ma'am, thank you.”
“After IHOP we'll go to the mall for a shopping spree, then lunch, then to the zoo, and after that, it's dinner at Bubba's BBQ.”
“Wow, that's a long day you have planned.”
She stared out the side window and breathed deeply. “I know, but it's better than sitting alone, waiting for the phone to ring. It's only once a year and I enjoy doing it.”
“I'm sure your adopted family will love you for it.”
Gladys spoke softly. “Family's what it's all about.”
“So true,” Walter said. “Eating out, shopping, a day of fun—it'll be a memory they'll have for a long time.”
“I hope so. Speaking of eating, do you have all the goodies I ordered in the limo?”
“Absolutely. There're all kinds of juice, cookies, and snacks. I filled every shelf and side pocket.”
“Good. Those kids love exploring, opening every cabinet, pushing every button—lucky they can't self-eject or they'd try that too.”
Walter half turned to look at her. “I think their mom will be forever grateful.”
Gladys slowly nodded her head. “Moms deserve some happiness too.”
* * *
“You sure pulled a long one today,” the girl in dispatch said. She looked up from her Introduction to Psychology textbook. She was in her 20's, heavy, with yellow straw hair—bleached once too often—and a small gold stud in the side of her nose. “It'll be midnight before you have that limo washed and cleaned.” She glanced at the posted schedule list. “Don't forget, you have an eight o'clock run to the airport tomorrow morning.”
Walter lifted his cap and wiped his forehead with the back of his hand. “No problem. How's college coming along?”
She patted the textbook. “I hate it, but this class is interesting.”
He glanced at the book. “Ready to psych out everyone?”
“Not yet, but soon.” She flipped her hair back and looked at him. “Hope you got a big tip for today's run.”
He winked. “Hundred bucks.”
“Nice. Very nice. Hope he's a return customer.”
“It's a she—Ms. Gladys Roddenbury. She's an annual customer.”
“Annual? She calls once a year to have you drive her around?”
“Yep. Every year she pulls out all the stops and spends money like it was water on a rainy day.”
“Annual customer? If she only shops once a year, no wonder she spends so much money.”
Walter looked at the girl. “She doesn't spend a dime on herself.”
“Does she take her family on these shopping sprees?”
“No. That's the sad part. Over the years she's said a few things about them, but not too many details. She has kids, but they don't bother with her—too busy with their own lives. One time she said, 'It's funny how one woman can take care of three kids, but those three kids can't take care of their one and only mother'.”
The girl nodded. “Hmm. Guess she's right about that. Does she live in one of those million dollar condos on the water?”
Walter shook his head. “Nope. Strange thing is, she lives in The Towers.”
“The Towers? Gosh, you gotta be one small step up from homeless to live there.”
“That's right—government housing. To qualify, your only allowed income is Social Security.”
“So, she must be hiding money somewhere. Maybe it's those kids. Maybe they can't find time to care about her, so they throw money at her once a year as a way to avoid feeling guilty.”
Walter widened his eyes. “You're reading way too much into that psychology book.”
“Hey, I'm just sayin' where does she get all that spendin' money? Selling drugs or somethin'?”
“I doubt it.”
“Don't be so sure. Those old folks have been known to stockpile their meds.”
“I doubt she's on any medication. She's a spry one. She walks around all day keeping up with her adopted family, with no complaints.”
“Her adopted family?”
“Yep. She goes to the Salvation Army Shelter and we pick up a family to take with us,” Walter said. “Come the end of the day, I think I'm more worn out from those kids than she is.”
The girl tilted her head. “That's what happens when you get old, Walter.”
He squinted his eyes at her but said nothing.
“So what do you think is goin' on with her real kids?” the girl asked.
“I don't know, but she gets sorrowful when she talks about them. She said she's had a good life and is ready to meet the Lord any time now. She said she loves her kids, but her only regret is they didn't turn out better.”
“Does she have an ax murderer in the bunch?”
Walter laughed. “No, nothing like that.”
“Ah, maybe she's the one who feels guilty. Maybe she thinks she failed at being a 'good mother'.”
“No, I don't think so.” He glared at her. “Stop playing amateur psychologist.”
The girl wrinkled her nose. “So what do you think's goin' on with her?”
“She said she gave her kids all she had to give. She gave them her best shot. She doesn't understand why they rarely bother with her now. She says, 'If you're too busy for your own mother, then you are too busy'.”
The girl looked at Walter. “That makes sense.”
Walter nodded in agreement. “She's a fine lady who did right by her kids and everyone else in her life, even strangers. I think she pinches every penny all year to have this one day of pleasure by giving to others. It makes her happy to be with people and have them appreciate her.”
The girl tilted her head. “Why this same day each year?”
Walter smiled. “It's special. It's her birthday.”
# # #
Thank you for taking the time to read
Best Wishes.
If you enjoyed it,
please consider telling your friends
and posting a review on
Amazon.com or other online sites.
Word-of-mouth referrals are
an author's best friend
and much appreciated.
Copyright by Valerie Allen 2015
Amazon.com/dp/B010W4BOWG
Short Stories
by
Valerie Allen
A Good Thing on a Bad Day
A License to Practice
A Marriage of Convenience
A Mother's Love
A Tooth for a Tooth
Best Wishes
Brotherly Love
Conditional Love
Doggie Tales
Father's Day
Fire Engine Red
Fit for Life
Future Plans
Holiday Traditions
Home for the Holidays
I Remember Momma
Just Be Cos
Ladies in Waiting
Leisureville
Love is in the Air
Match-maker
Mother Knows Best
Potty Talk
Puppy Love
No Goin' Home
Second Chance
Small Steps
Split Second Timing
Thank You, Mr. Jackson!
The Garden of Love
The Penalty Box
Words of Wisdom
Valentine's Day
~ ~ ~
For More Information, please contact:
Valerie Allen
VAllenWriter@gmail.com
ValerieAllenWriter.com
Amazon.com/author/valerieallen
Best Wishes
by
Valerie Allen
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or events, is entirely coincidental.
Printed in the United States of America. All rights reserved. No part of this story may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the author.
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Debra Jean Walsh
07/14/2023I have tears in my eyes by the end of this story. So eloquently written! Lovely story!
ReplyHelp Us Understand What's Happening
Kevin Hughes
07/18/2018I agree with Jd Valerie, and even though this was fiction, I know at least seven men and women who could be the main character. Unfortunately, I also know several other people who could have been her children. Great story. Smiles, Kevin
ReplyHelp Us Understand What's Happening
JD
07/17/2018Beautifully written, touching short story, Valerie. Thank you so much for sharing it on Storystar! And congratulations on being selected as the Short Story STAR of the Day! I'm sure there will be more front page stardom for you in the future! :-)
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