The old man
THE OLD MAN
Even through the window the harsh sunlight made Frank Frost squint. For sometime now he had been hearing the growling of the posties scooter, and he waited impatiently to see if he had any mail today. Mail,he snorted to himself. Yeah right, if you call bills mail. Phone,power and gas were all due any day now. He picked up his sarsaparilla and walked into the bathroom. Gesturing at his image in the mirror, he asked himself, why do they have to come at the same time I want to know?
His reflection stared back at him silently. I’ll tell you why....it’s a conspiracy! The fat cats get fatter while you and me pal, he glowered at his slightly rotund image. Deep set green eyes glowered back from a craggy suntanned face. You and me pal, do it tougher and tougher! He tightened his lips and ran a strong hand through his cropped gray hair. Think we just got our mail he told himself, cheers,he quickly sculled the rest of his drink, rolled his eyes at his reflection and put the glass on the sink in the kitchen.
What the devil is this? He asked himself,eyeing the rectangular envelope suspiciously. Special dinner invitation? Hmmm........He tore the elaborate envelope open and unfolded the contents. A typed letter,a funny looking fake $50 note and two tickets to a dinner. He scanned the letter. It was a promo for a sleep study seminar. Attend and get the dinner for two and a $50 gift voucher. CRAP! Fancy junk mail, that's all this was! He screwed the letter up but on the verge of tossing it in the trash can he hesitated, and rubbed his chin thoughtfully. He marched into the bathroom, and waving the smoothed out letter in front of the mirror asked, Wadda ya think of this? It’s a scam, a con, a waste of time? He gestured emphatically at his image,what if is is pal? Still a free dinner and fifty smackers! And it’s all for nothing see!
I will just skip the stupid seminar thing! What's the big deal? He leaned on the vanity unit and brought his face right up to the mirror. If...no, when I find a chick to impress with this,I will have myself a double whammy! You just watch pal, he told himself as he left the bathroom.
Frank sat on the bench in the mall,his groceries on the seat beside him. He watched the strange old man. This was the third time he had seen him this week. About five feet nothing,severely stooped,and with his hands clasped behind his back,he shuffled back and forth, like a parody of Prince Charles,or an expectant father in a maternity ward waiting room maybe. He looked about seventy, wore an old gray cardigan buttoned unevenly, dirty beige pants and badly scuffed brown shoes. His long white hair cascaded out of a well worn black beanie. He wore three days of stubble and suspicious, bleary brown eyes darted hither and thither.
Shit, the old bugger is coming over here! Frank was alarmed, he was tight fisted and didn't like being approached by smelly tramps on the take. The old man sat down next to Frank,and as expected he stank! “ I 'ait's this shoppin' mate” he mournfully grunted. “It's me dorter wot keeps me 'ere, fa flamin 'ours an 'ours!
“Really?” Frank started to stand when the old man grasped his arm.
The old man glowered through rheumy eyes,“ ' ang on matey! Softly spoken yet somehow menacing.
Frank sighed resignedly and sat down.
The old man smiled, “ You kin keep me company an 'elp get the shoppin in the car.” The old man raised his bushy eyebrows questioningly, “You kin do that, can'tcha son? Fer an old man like?
“Ok.OK, if it won't be too long Frank answered begrudgingly.”
“The car is a 1949 'Olden FX, showroom condition, dahnt git used fer much” the old man announced proudly.
“Hmmm” Frank mumbled, unimpressed.
“ sonny got fre fousund myall's on thu clock, an fiftee year old!”
“That's interesting” Frank replied politely. “Could I ask what part of England your from?”
“England?” The old man shook his head as though confused. “I cum from me muvvers belly mate!”
Frank's eyes widened, the old fool was a nut case! “Um, where were you....”
“'Ere she cums! Me dorter, 'ere she comes! The old man jumped up excitedly with an agility belying his years.
An attractive young lady of about twenty stopped her heavily laden shopping trolley beside them.
“Hello Granddad, sorry I took so long.”
Granddad?
Frank stood up and pulled his paunch in instinctively.
“Sorright Sharin” the old man beamed at her. “This yung man 'as bin keepin me company.”
“That's nice” Sharon answered nervously.
“Pleased to meet you Sharon,” Frank held out his hand.
She gave him her hand along with a tight smile.
“Here, I'll take this” Frank stepped behind the trolley and grasped the handle.
“NO!”
Frank looked at her in surprise..
“That's very kind of you but we can manage. Really.”
“Na we carnt! Let 'im 'elp Sharin”
“It's no trouble” Frank smiled.
“So mote it be” she replied enigmatically.
It was quite a distance to the car and the trolley had one of those wobbly wheels, making steering difficult. Frank narrowly avoided colliding with several cars. Finally he stopped the trolley beside the old Holden. The old man had not exaggerated, it was in immaculate condition.
“Now Frank 'as bin good nuff ta load the shoppin, maybee he could cum an help us git it in the ouse too.”
“OH Gramp! We have taken enough of his time!”
The wheels were turning in Franks head. If he helped out here, maybe this girl would go to the dinner with him. Maybe he could get more than a dinner date out of her! “Hey I don't mind” Frank smiled, “If I can have a lift back to my car after?” Leave the old fool at home and be alone with the girl, perfect.
Sharon clutched Franks arm, “Are you sure?”
“Hell yes” Frank grinned.
When all the shopping was in Sharon made a pot of tea. Tasted a bit funny but Frank drank it anyway. The old man thanked Frank profusely for his help.
“Shorrrite” Frank slurred. He began to sway on his feet and the old man supported him.
“You orrite boy?”
“Swierd, don feeel goooo....”
“ Jus let me elp ya to me special room, I kin fix ya up.” said the old man soothingly.
“GRAMP!” Sharon shook her finger at the old man, “ this has got to be the last time!”
She helped the old man get the semi conscious Frank into the “special room” at the end of the hall.
They lay him gently on the floor then Sharon left.
The windowless room contained only a twenty five watt naked light dangling from the ceiling, a plastic sheet covering the floor, Frank,the old man and a cut throat razor. Sharon locked the door and shaking with suppressed sexual excitement watched through the peep-hole. The old man picked up the razor and humming a mournful dirge set about his work.
THE END.
C Gainsford © Copyright 2012