[3 The Old Lady Next Door]

The sound of Jeanette’s special alarm in the shape of a minion would wake us up at six in the morning. While she was getting ready for work, I would always find myself standing in the kitchen, making some breakfast. This morning I felt like eating eggs and sausages instead of just sandwiches, so I made two portions for Jeanette and me.

“Whoops, it’s time to throw it away,” I looked at the trash bin near the kitchen counter that was already full. “Jeanette, breakfast is ready. If you finish before I come back, you can start without me. I don’t want to make you wait and be late for work.”

“Where are you going?” her clear voice was heard from inside her room. Funnily enough, she always left her door slightly open.

“Getting rid of the trash,” I replied.

She laughed. “Goodness. It won’t take too long. I’ll wait for you,” she showed up with her hands holding a brush and a blush-on pack.

“Well, just in case,” I shrugged. “Alright. Wait for me then.”

As she disappeared again, I made a tight simple knot of the trash plastic bag and took it out of the bin. Then I walked out of the apartment and put it into one of the residential waste toters placed on the left side of this building.

When I was making my way back to my apartment, I saw an old lady standing before the apartment next door. She looked worried and I was suddenly moved to approach her and ask if she needed some help.

“Ah, yes. I couldn’t find my key so I can’t go in,” she explained her situation.

“Do you live on your own?” I asked.

She shook her head. “No, I live with my grandson. But he has been off for work,” she answered. “I wanted to buy something at the store but I left my purse in the apartment. That’s when I realized I forgot the key as well. Oh, I think I’m really old now.” She let out a chuckle.

I giggled too hearing what she said. “What did you want to buy? I can get it for you. And you can also wait in my apartment,” I offered some help.

The lady touched my left arm. “That’s very kind of you. I don’t know if it’s okay with you, but I need to buy a lot of things. And without my purse, I would need to borrow your money. I don’t think that’s a good idea,” she scratched her left temple.

Where did I see the same gesture? But yeah, what she said made sense. I barely knew her and lending a lot of money -- if that was a lot just like she’d said -- in my situation right now was not a good idea. I wouldn’t borrow Jeanette’s money either.

“Do you urgently need those things?”

“Well, the thing is I want to make a cake for my grandson because today is his birthday,” she grinned, showing wrinkles on her face.

“Ah, I think I can help you out,” I flicked my fingers as I got an idea. “Why don’t we come to my apartment and talk about it?”

The old lady agreed and I led her into the apartment. Jeanette was a bit surprised seeing me bringing someone in.

“Mrs. Wilson?” Jeanette got up from her chair and pulled another chair for the lady to sit.

Both women then hugged each other and then sat on the chairs. I washed my hands on the sink before joining them at the table. I told Jeanette the problem Mrs. Wilson was having and my idea.

“Yeah, why not? We have plenty of flour, eggs, and all you need to make a cake. Besides, I know you make the best cake, Mrs. Wilson,” she agreed without any hesitation. “Just make yourself at home, don’t feel like a stranger here, please.”

Mrs. Wilson registered a bright smile on her face and then said, “How I want to have you as my granddaughter. If only my grandson were older than you, I would make him marry you.” Her hands were holding Jeanette’s wrist.

“Why not? I think it’s not a problem for a woman to be married to a younger man these days,” I expressed my opinion. “Well, if Jeanette is ready to open her heart again.” I turned to her, recalling the moment she almost cried at Moonbucks.

Jeanette didn’t say anything but grinned. I could tell her feelings.

“Oh boy, if only it’s that easy,” Mrs. Wilson said. “My grandson thinks that he should be older and more mature than his future partner. Well, there’s a lot of women out there he could pick but in fact, he’s still single up to this day. Now I know it’s just an excuse.”

Jeanette and I looked at each other and giggled secretly.

“My only wish is only to see him happily married as long as there’s still time for me,” the old lady propped her head with her right hand resting on the table.

Oh no. I wouldn’t let this beautiful morning turn into a sad one. I was about to say something but Jeanette spoke up first.

“How come I never met your grandson, Mrs. Wilson?” she came up with a question, diverting the subject of our conversation.

Mrs. Wilson furrowed her eyebrows. “Really? It must be because of his work hours. He could leave the house early in the morning and return the next morning, or leave at ten and return three hours later, or also stay at home all day long,” she explained.

“That’s weird,” I bluntly commented about it and Jeanette lightly kicked my foot. “Oh, sorry.”

“What does he do, Mrs. Wilson?” Jeanette changed the subject. Again.

“I’m not sure, but he works for a record label company.”

“Oh, shoot!” Jeanette startled me and Mrs. Wilson with her squeaky voice. “I have to go now. Can’t be late for work.”

It’s 6.45 according to the digital clock placed on the fridge. Jeanette started working at eight and it took almost an hour to get to her office. It was another thing that made me wonder why she didn’t live near her workplace. I hadn’t gotten the chance to ask her the reason why.

“Bye, Mrs. Wilson. Bye, Bianca,” Jeanette left the chair, snatching her handbag and left the apartment.

“So your name is Bianca? Who are you to Jeanette?” asked Mrs. Wilson as there were only the two of us now.

A thundering-like sound coming from my stomach was heard out of the blue. “Uh, pardon my tummy. Bad bad tummy,” I whispered to my stomach and lightly patted on it several times.

“You can have your breakfast. I see you haven’t touched it,” she touched my arm. “Don’t mind me. I have had my breakfast before leaving the apartment.”

A wide grin was the only expression I could show her. I cut my sunny-side-up fried egg and sausage into slices before eating them bite by bite. “Oh, right,” I remembered that she asked me a question. “I’m just Jeanette’s friend. Well, actually her brother is my best friend.” 

“How come you live with her now?”

“That’s a kinda long story, Mrs. Wilson.”

“Try me.”

Gosh. I was just trying to avoid answering her question but she insisted. I hesitated a bit and finally decided to tell just a brief of my life story.

“I feel you. Sorry for what happened in your life. There’s a good reason behind everything, though,” she comforted me.

What in the world a good reason she is talking about? What would it be? Physical, mental and sexual abuse, I experienced them all.

A light touch from her took me back from musing. “Ah, I must’ve zoned out again. I’m sorry,” I said as a buzzing sound from my phone heard. “Excuse me for a moment, Mrs. Wilson.”

“Sure, please,” she allowed me.

I got up and went into my room as I saw my sister’s name on my phone screen. Every time she called would mean something crucial happening.

“Bianca, please don’t tell Mom or Dad where I am. I’m running away--”

“Why?” I cut her off. “Why are you running away? What happened?”

“I had a fight with Dad.”

Again. I lost count of how many times she had fought with him. As long as she still lived in that house, they would never stop fighting. This was one of the reasons why I decided to move out. My ears kept burning every single day back when I was still living with my parents.

“So where are you gonna stay?” I worriedly asked. She was only twenty and had to focus on her studies instead of fighting and running away like this.

“Neil’s.” That’s her boyfriend. “Please, don’t tell them. Okay?”

“Okay.”

“Promise me.”

“I promise. You have my word, Celine.” That’s her name.

“Alright, thank you. And by any chance, do you have fifty bucks?”

I sighed heavily.

“You haven’t gotten a new job, I guess?” Thank God, she understood.

“Not yet. It’s not that easy even though I was a straight-A student and have worked as an excellent secretary,” I told her in a desperate voice while running my fingers through my hair.

A heavy sigh was heard across the line. “I should’ve asked for help from Neil’s boxer connection to finish off that jerk,” she responded, feeling irritated. She was the only one who knew what happened as I couldn’t let my parents find out about it.

“Let’s not talk about it. I am starting my new life here. Just pray that I will get a good job soon,” I requested. I couldn’t stand recalling that moment. “I’ll send you the fifty bucks anyways. Just take care of yourself and don’t do anything silly with Neil. I don’t care if you have known him for three years, but I can’t trust any men right now.”

“Alright, alright. Thanks, Bee,” it’s how my sister called me.

“No problem,” then I hung up.

Before leaving the room, I made sure I successfully sent her the money she needed. Mrs. Wilson was looking around the kitchen when I came out. She looked nice from behind with her neat updo grey hair.

“I’m sorry for leaving you alone for a while,” I stood next to her.

She chortled with her hand wiggling downward. “Relax. I’m used to spending my time alone, so five minutes is nothing,” she said.

Hearing her statement somehow made me like her instantly. She didn’t seem to be a nagging old woman like the ones most people would complain about.

“So, what do you need to make that delicious cake Jeanette mentioned earlier?” I turned both of my palms upward.

“Are you free to help me?”

“You can have me all day long.”

A cheerful smile was shown. “Follow my instruction,” she responded.