General Fiction posted July 20, 2024 |
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A strained relationship can improve over time.
Charity Begins at Home
by Rene Tyo

Joshua pushed through the unfamiliar hardware store cursing himself for forgetting some of the supplies he’d need for his tasks that day. Being between jobs his funds were stretched thin as it was and now he’d be spending more on items he already had. He made his way through the aisles as quickly as possible but everything seemed ass backwards compared to his beloved Home Hardware back home. Josh knew that time was of the essence if he was to be punctual, something the boss insisted on. He’d been running late since the start of the day, his passenger, currently sullenly waiting in his half-ton had ensured that was the case. Maybe bringing her on a job this important was the wrong thing to do, Josh mused, but she had to learn somehow. Josh carried on, glancing quickly at his watch. Where the heck do they keep the rope?
Finally having collected all he needed: a hatchet, claw tooth hammer and a length of strong corded rope, Josh made his way to the cash. There he saw a lone cashier and a line-up three patrons deep. Just my luck! The cashier, a young teen with close- cropped hair in several startling fluorescent colours and a nose ring was arguing with an elderly male consumer. The kid was androgynous looking to Josh, why the hell do young people do this to themselves, he wondered? Come on, come on already, the customers always right, he fumed.
Eight minutes later he was being rung through the cash. The kid tried to make small talk, but Josh, as distracted as he was could only manage a monosyllabic grunt in his/her direction. To the right of the cash he saw a bushel basket half full of apples. It was surrounded by straw bales and had a sign indicating that all donated proceeds were in support of the local hospitals palliative care unit. Josh had plenty of reasons to get behind a cause such as this, both parents gone and a sister at only 52 years of age as well, had been in such hospital wards. On a whim he grabbed an apple and gave an additional five dollar bill above the cost of his purchases. Crap, charity begins at home he chided himself as he stomped out of the store.
Charlotte sat in the truck and pondered why of all days did she have to be dragged out into the world on this particular one? The cramps in her lower regions indicated that her monthly visitor was in full force. The feeling of being tied in knots of pain and unable to escape it had only been with her for a few months being only twelve years of age. With all my problems and now I’ve gotta put up with this crap for my entire life too, just ain’t fair she considered. Charlotte felt like crawling under a rock and dying, anything to save her from what the day brought next. She briefly considered climbing out of the truck and making a run for it. What the hell would he do? Would he even care? Her hand tentatively reached for the handle when she noticed him leave the store, a scowl on his face. She thought better of her escape, put her hands on her abdomen and pushed down trying to alleviate the pain. After dumping some supplies in the truck bed he pulled open his door and climbed in. Charlotte didn’t acknowledge his presence as she turned away to the window and morosely placed her forehead on the glass, enjoying its coolness.
Josh looked at the apple that he’d already taken a bite of and realized he should’ve grabbed two. He leaned across the console, in a truck this size it was much like the emotional void between them, and shook her shoulder. Charlotte turned to him, eyes downcast. Josh gripped her chin lightly and lifted her eyes to meet his own.
“For you,” he held the apple out to her.
She looked at the already munched on offering and shook him off. Turning away she resumed her former position. A lone tear rolled down her cheek.
Josh started the truck, cranked up the country music station, engaged the transmission and spun out of the parking lot, tires squealing. He had time to make up.
They drove on, hitting speeds that were far too fast for such a busy time of day. The clock on the dashboard a constant reminder that arriving at the site would likely be well after the 8 a.m. start time. I’ve gotta stop volunteering on Saturdays, Josh thought. Making headway through the traffic, Josh was pleased that it was only 8:07 as he pulled up. Being late meant that he had another due to pay. Also, he and Charlotte would have to carry the days gear further then he liked. Maybe he’d give her a break and they’d make two trips.
Josh put the truck into park and turned off the ignition. Charlotte finally broke her silence as she turned and looked at her father.
“Why today? Why now? I don’t want to be here,” she said in her drawn out, over enunciated timbre.
Josh, seeing the mournful look on his daughters face was heartbroken, he wished he could do more for her, feeling that he was failing her with her special needs. He started speaking and signing his response in the awkward way that he fumbled with it. “This will be good for you,” he gestured, “besides I have a surprise for you.” Josh pointed out her driver side window.
There, standing on the grass awaiting her arrival were three of Charlotte’s best friends from her school for the deaf. She turned back to her father beaming, he must’ve remembered that today was the day that mom had walked away from them three years ago, unable to cope with a daughter with her difficulties and a husband who had withdrawn from her. Remembered and tried to make her feel better. She leaned in and hugged him fiercely. Josh let the hug play out, he hadn’t received many of late as Charlotte became more reclusive. She’d been diagnosed with type three Usher’s Syndrome four years prior and now had complete and irreversible hearing loss.
She pulled back. Josh delicately wiped a tear from her cheek. She could read much of what was spoken to her when looking directly at a person if it was kept short. “Go on, love you,” Josh said, then directed her to the truck door. She clambered out and embraced her friends.
Josh’s buddy Charlie, the boss, sauntered up. “You’re late, guess I win that bet,” he laughed.
“Guess you did, bit of a rough morning. How’s dinner with us tonight sound as pay back?”
Charlie, a confirmed bachelor, pushed Josh’s shoulder playfully. “On me though, I insist.”
“Whatever, but I’m not a charity case you know,” Josh replied.
“Oh, I know, just a fella who can use a hand on occasion, c’mon lets get those tools and get over there, we’ve got a house to build for you my friend.”
The men moved to the bed of the truck to get the tools and building supplies it contained. Josh took a quick glance at his daughter wondering if he’d manage to show her even a few constructions skills on this day. Truthfully, it didn’t matter, he couldn't think of anywhere else he’d rather be.
Hands filled with supplies the men started up the gravel driveway to the home under construction. There were at least two dozen people already at the job-site. With his six foot six height Josh had to duck slightly to get under the Habitat For Humanity sign that had been unfurled over the driveway.
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