Locked In

The roads on this part of the city were like a minefield. Potholes littered the entire neighborhood as if it were decorated by malicious design. These dangerous conditions of the roads mimicked the unfortunate parallels shared with the inhabitants of the city. In a place like this you are more likely to break a leg on the fractured sidewalk than to successfully maneuver yourself out and never come back.

 

It’s apparent the area is low income. The multiple family homes tower over the narrow streets. The large homes were not impressive but unsettling. The paint had faded and damage had accumulated over the years; the outside of the homes distinct features gave the area an urban feel. The wood and plaster of many of the homes had cracked and were blackened by time. The old spirit of the area was trapped in the veiny sprawl of imperfections on the domiciles of the area.

 

In between two looming apartment buildings sat a small white home. A small path of stairs led to the home. The stairs were crumbling away from the wear and tear of the seasons. Inside the home was Ediberto and Lucianne in the kitchen. Both of them appeared no better than the condition of their home. The house was decorated with knick knacks and pictures of Ediberto and Lucianne with their children all of whom had moved out with wives and kids of their own.  Dull greyish off white carpeting and faded walls surrounded them.

 

Lucianne was frying some eggs and bacon on a small stove. The surface of the stove had cracked some time ago. The metal pan was a million shades of black, yellow,  and brown from years of use.

 

The morning light entered through the kitchen window. There is a clear contrast between the fresh lively morning light and Lucianne. She appears worn out and tired yet she still places his breakfast down nicely for him. Ediberto sat quietly by the table. His wheel chair was locked  in place facing the window. The deep fresh light of the morning sky illuminates Ediberto’s face, which now looked more pensive and serious. His grey hair was combed neatly back and his mustache was fully grown. He is a nostalgic mirror of a previous era now shadowed by senescence. As he was eating she took out his medicine for the day. It was an assortment of multi colored pills one of which was quite large.

 

“What kinda juice do you want Papi?” Lucianne said

 

Ediberto’s face was swirled with an unsymmetrical confused expression. His bulging eyes stared off outside as he ate breakfast. “Orange juice is fine,” Ediberto replied.

 

“I need to get you some new shirts” Lucianne remarked as she fixed his collar. She placed some coupons for a local department store she cut earlier that morning into her purse.

 

Lucianne looked at Ediberto with nostalgia, or was it fear? The look on her face was a complex symphony of emotions with no audience to admire or console her. Lucianne’s clothes were old, and they fit too tightly around her overweight figure. Today she was wearing old white sneakers, tight black sweatpants and a simple top that was many sizes too small.

 

“I need to go to the bathroom” Ediberto said looking at the ground.

 

“All right lets go, hurry! Let’s try to make it this time” She exclaimed

 

Ediberto grabbed on tightly to the walker Lucianne had placed in front of him but he was having trouble getting up. Lucianne tried lifting him up by putting her arms under his armpits but that didn’t work. Lucianne grabbed for his shirt and Ediberto grabbed her hand tightly. 

 

Ediberto puffed his cheeks out. “DON’T PULL ON ME!” Ediberto shouted. “Get treated ‘round here like an animal” he said very insulted.

 

Lucianne was immediately broken because of this comment. It was apparent that she was angry, her face was flushed with blood. She took her hands off Ediberto and stormed off to her bedroom. 

Wilmer sat in the corner of the room observing the whole interaction. He saw Ediberto sink bank into his chair with a light splash. 

"Hey Dad, where does mom keep her money?" Wilimer asked with a warm eyed look. 

"She put it in that counter I think" Ediberto said with few uncontrollable jerks of his arm.

Wilmer stuffed a wad of cash into his coat pocket and turned to the door. "See ya later dad," he said with a gentle squeeze of his shoulder Wilmer shuffled through the crowded living room and out the front door.

Author's Note

New to the website and to writing.. This is something I wrote recently. Any feedback?