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Every Friday
Do you think hell come today?
Its Friday, isnt it?
What are you two talking about?
The man who comes to see Charlie. Hes the only one whos ever been here to see Charlie. Charlies wife died a few years ago and his son was killed in Vietnam. As far as anyone knows they were the only family Charlie ever had.
Then whos this guy? And why does he come to the nursing home each week and sit and feed Charlie when everyone knows that Charlie cant recognize anyone anymore?
Thats what Ive been wondering. I think Ive finally gotten up enough nerve to ask him when he comes today.
Well, nows your chance, because here he comes.
Down the hall walked a well-dressed man who appeared to be in his fifties. The spring in his step showed that he was happy to be there.
How are you today, sir?
Fine, nurse. And yourself?
Couldnt be better.
Me, either, the man replied as he continued down the hall to Charlies room.
I thought you said you were going to ask him, Danielle, the young nurse, said to Margaret.
Im going to ask him, but Im going to wait until he leaves. Dont let him get past me.
I wont! I want to know, too!
Margaret headed down the hall. As she passed Charlies room she heard the stranger say, Youre looking good today, Charlie. I see youre having cream of tomato soup. I know thats one of your favorites.
Margaret headed down the hall checking on each patients needs. She did her best to see that the mysterious man did not get away before she found out how he was connected to Charlie.
Margaret!
Margaret looked up and saw Danielle hurrying toward her.
Yes, Danielle. What is it?
I think hes getting ready to leave.
Thanks, Danielle. Can you stay with Edith for a few minutes?
Id be happy to.
Margaret headed up the hall and arrived at Charlies room just as the mysterious man walked out.
You have a good weekend, nurse.
You, too, sir. By the way, sir. Some of us are curious about something.
You want to know my connection to Charlie. Right?
How did you guess?
Well, its no secret that Charlie has no family left.
I hope you dont mind me asking.
Not at all. Actually, I have two connections to Charlie. First of all, Charlies son saved my life in Vietnam. He pushed me out of the way of a snipers bullet and ended up taking the bullet himself. I had trouble living with that. I came home and got a job, but I turned to drugs, lost my job, and all my family disowned me.
And Charlie took you in?
In a way, but not exactly. I ended up on the streets and then at a homeless shelter. Every Friday, Charlie came to the homeless shelter and served lunch. Not only did he serve us lunch, but he talked to us like we were just as good as he was. I found out his name and put two and two together. When I told Charlie that his son Jerry saved my life in Vietnam, he began to treat me like a son. He helped me clean up my act and find the Lord. He even helped me get a job.
I got a promotion and moved away, but Charlie and I kept in touch. When his wife died, I took some time off work and came back for her funeral.
After a while I didnt hear from Charlie any more. I didnt know what happened to him. Finally, I was able to find out that Charlie had had a stroke. I knew Charlie didnt have anyone to take care of him, so I managed to get a job transfer to a city nearby. Since I work a four day work week, I have Fridays off. Now I can do for Charlie what he did for me.
And for me and a lot of others.
Huh? I dont understand.
You say youre a Christian. Surely you know the story of the one leper who went back and thanked Jesus. Not only do I think of you as the leper who went back and thanked Jesus, but one who went and served in the leper colony, as well. Stories such as yours inspire people to go and do likewise. Im off on Tuesdays. Edith doesnt have anyone, either. I bet she could use a lunchtime companion.
Copyright 2002 Steve Demaree
=====
Steve Demaree
1608 Summerhill Drive
Lexington, KY 40515
(606) 271-2416
moviesteve@rocketmail.com
Submitted by Richard
Do you think hell come today?
Its Friday, isnt it?
What are you two talking about?
The man who comes to see Charlie. Hes the only one whos ever been here to see Charlie. Charlies wife died a few years ago and his son was killed in Vietnam. As far as anyone knows they were the only family Charlie ever had.
Then whos this guy? And why does he come to the nursing home each week and sit and feed Charlie when everyone knows that Charlie cant recognize anyone anymore?
Thats what Ive been wondering. I think Ive finally gotten up enough nerve to ask him when he comes today.
Well, nows your chance, because here he comes.
Down the hall walked a well-dressed man who appeared to be in his fifties. The spring in his step showed that he was happy to be there.
How are you today, sir?
Fine, nurse. And yourself?
Couldnt be better.
Me, either, the man replied as he continued down the hall to Charlies room.
I thought you said you were going to ask him, Danielle, the young nurse, said to Margaret.
Im going to ask him, but Im going to wait until he leaves. Dont let him get past me.
I wont! I want to know, too!
Margaret headed down the hall. As she passed Charlies room she heard the stranger say, Youre looking good today, Charlie. I see youre having cream of tomato soup. I know thats one of your favorites.
Margaret headed down the hall checking on each patients needs. She did her best to see that the mysterious man did not get away before she found out how he was connected to Charlie.
Margaret!
Margaret looked up and saw Danielle hurrying toward her.
Yes, Danielle. What is it?
I think hes getting ready to leave.
Thanks, Danielle. Can you stay with Edith for a few minutes?
Id be happy to.
Margaret headed up the hall and arrived at Charlies room just as the mysterious man walked out.
You have a good weekend, nurse.
You, too, sir. By the way, sir. Some of us are curious about something.
You want to know my connection to Charlie. Right?
How did you guess?
Well, its no secret that Charlie has no family left.
I hope you dont mind me asking.
Not at all. Actually, I have two connections to Charlie. First of all, Charlies son saved my life in Vietnam. He pushed me out of the way of a snipers bullet and ended up taking the bullet himself. I had trouble living with that. I came home and got a job, but I turned to drugs, lost my job, and all my family disowned me.
And Charlie took you in?
In a way, but not exactly. I ended up on the streets and then at a homeless shelter. Every Friday, Charlie came to the homeless shelter and served lunch. Not only did he serve us lunch, but he talked to us like we were just as good as he was. I found out his name and put two and two together. When I told Charlie that his son Jerry saved my life in Vietnam, he began to treat me like a son. He helped me clean up my act and find the Lord. He even helped me get a job.
I got a promotion and moved away, but Charlie and I kept in touch. When his wife died, I took some time off work and came back for her funeral.
After a while I didnt hear from Charlie any more. I didnt know what happened to him. Finally, I was able to find out that Charlie had had a stroke. I knew Charlie didnt have anyone to take care of him, so I managed to get a job transfer to a city nearby. Since I work a four day work week, I have Fridays off. Now I can do for Charlie what he did for me.
And for me and a lot of others.
Huh? I dont understand.
You say youre a Christian. Surely you know the story of the one leper who went back and thanked Jesus. Not only do I think of you as the leper who went back and thanked Jesus, but one who went and served in the leper colony, as well. Stories such as yours inspire people to go and do likewise. Im off on Tuesdays. Edith doesnt have anyone, either. I bet she could use a lunchtime companion.
Copyright 2002 Steve Demaree
=====
Steve Demaree
1608 Summerhill Drive
Lexington, KY 40515
(606) 271-2416
moviesteve@rocketmail.com
Submitted by Richard
