His caregiver.
Learning how to help - A Short Fiction Story
Peter hunched himself over the sink in order to complete washing the last of the remaining dishes. His slender, tall frame made him feel like a giant in his client’s old farmhouse kitchen. The stone walls shone beautifully during the day but took on a cold, harsh feel at night. It did not help that the owner, Mr. Griffin, did not like to turn on lights or heat at night. Just the soft glow from the waning fire in the main living room would light the estate in the all-encompassing dark. That’s how Peter had broken his first dish. He later learned to pull back the curtains from the small bay window situated just above the sink, to let the moon partially light his cleaning work.
Arthur Griffin was a stubborn, recluse of a man. He hardly spoke to Peter, but when he did, it was only to correct him. It made Peter almost quit, but this was a short-term arrangement. He had been hired by Mr. Griffin’s son and daughter to care for their father during the holiday season to give his daily caretaker time off to spend with her family. It was a three-week assignment with very generous pay. Peter had jumped at the chance, given the fact that he was young and single. Plus, he had just started working for the home care company in the spring. This was a great opportunity to demonstrate that he’s an awesome team player. Peter’s mom had been upset for about a week straight when he told her, but he knew she would forgive him for missing one Christmas.
Except now Peter was dealing with a tinge of regret over this decision. Arthur did listen to him when it came to taking his medicine, eating, and even exercising. The trouble would come whenever Peter tried to get him to do any of the holiday activities that his family had planned for Arthur. The work contract included an agreement to make sure that their dad did not miss any of the listed festivities, which included baking cookies while listening to old Christmas songs, watching the classic Bing Crosby’s White Christmas, and attending the local theatre’s production of The Nutcracker.
Peter ended up watching the movie while eating the slightly burnt cookies alone. Arthur adamantly refused and stormed off to his room. Peter felt a little guilty that he was not living up to his end of the bargain, but he reassured himself that he had done nothing wrong. He reasoned that he simply could not force the old man to do any of the activities. How could his family fault him for that?
The night of the play performance rolled around. It was Christmas Eve. Peter only had two more days to get through with the most miserable Scrooge of a client. He could see the finish line just up ahead. As he was about to ask for the hundredth time if Arthur would attend the play, Peter saw that his phone ID had lit up. It was a text from Mr. Griffin’s daughter inquiring whether her dad would be at the play. He sighed, knowing that he had to tell her the truth. After sending the text confirming that he would not be, his phone started ringing. Now he regretted answering her question at all. He gulped nervously before hitting the accept call button.
“Hi, Candace. I’m really sorry. I’ve tried everything I can think of to convince him to go tonight, but he still refuses. Can you talk to him?”
“Thanks for trying, Pedro. So much for giving Dad a fun Christmas. I would give him a ring, but I’m about to step into a very important business meeting. Keep trying, though, would you? Those tickets were not cheap!”
Before Peter could say a word or even correct his name to her, Candace had hung up. That was the first time hearing from her, and Peter also realized he had not even heard a peep from Arthur’s son, who was very busy as the CEO of a huge financial planning company. Even though to some it may seem heartless not to come home for the holidays, Peter understood the sacrifices they were making. In fact, it was one he was willing to make for himself. He knew where he wanted to end up in his career, and in order to get there, he would have to miss out on some holidays. It was just part of the job. Peter knew his family understood that, so why didn’t Mr. Griffin?
After searching the living room and the den, Peter finally found Arthur puttering around in the garage. He had managed to climb up on a step ladder. Peter got scared and accidentally yelled at him to get down, which nearly caused him to fall. Arthur scowled at Peter’s unwanted interruption into his endeavors. Peter wanted to curse under his breath, but held his tongue. He had only left the old man for a couple of minutes and in that time, he had almost gotten himself seriously injured. Peter brought the wheelchair over to him and pointed at the seat. Arthur recoiled and muttered some annoyed nonsense, but thankfully did not put up too much protest. He ploped down into the chair, looking a bit worn and tired from whatever he was trying to do.
“What were you thinking, Mr. Griffin? You know you’re not allowed to be up on ladders.”
“This is my house and I’ll do as I please!”
Peter kneeled down next to the chair so he could be eye to eye with Arthur, but he had turned his head the other way.
“Arthur, I’m sorry. I know this is your house and you are free to do as you please, but your kids hired me for a reason. I’m here to help.”
With his head still turned away, Arthur slapped his hand down on the armrest of the wheelchair. Peter flinched at the sudden, loud smacking sound it made. He started pondering if it was even worth asking him one more time if the old man wanted to go to the play. It was clear he already knew what the answer would be.
“Help you say? You really want to help, then leave me alone. I’m better off that way anyway.”
“What do you mean you’re better off? Come on, Arthur. It’s Christmas. Don’t you want to celebrate?”
“Celebrate? There’s nothing to celebrate.”
“Fine. Be a Scrooge then. I’m done trying to convince you to do the holiday stuff. From here on out, we don’t even need to speak anymore. I’ll be leaving in two days anyway.”
“I wish you’d leave now, but I know I have no say in the matter. Just like everything else. Why are you even working now anyway? It’s Christmas, shouldn’t you be home with your family?”
Arthur had locked eyes with Peter when he said the last part, his voice cracking with emotion as he spoke. Peter's eyes grew wide when he saw the tears forming in the wrinkled corners of the old man’s face. His heart broke for Arthur as clarity suddenly washed over him. Arthur was not being a Scrooge for not doing the holiday activities. He was hurt that his kids weren’t home with him to do them together as a family. Peter saw his future in Arthur if he continued down the trajectory he was on. He bit his lip, realizing that he was not just missing one holiday with the family. Every one of them was considered precious, for we do not know how many more we have left.
Without hesitation, Peter found himself wrapping his arms around Arthur. At first, the older man tried to push him away, but not for long. Soon they were in a warm, tight embrace, with both of them weeping softly. Peter pulled back to look into Arthur’s eyes. It was there that he saw a mirror of his own grandfather. He witnessed the twinkle of wit and the laughter lines. Peter loved his grandpa and felt a lump form in his throat. It had been two years since he had passed away and it was not until now that Peter regretted not spending more time with him.
“I’m sorry, but I need to go home. Are you going to be alright without me?”
“I’ve lasted this many years. What’s a few more days? Go on, get out of here. Be with your family. Don’t just tell your parents you love them—show them by spending time with them.”
Peter stood up and nodded. He started walking toward the door when he stopped. He turned back to see Arthur, sitting in his wheelchair with a wistful look across his face. Peter walked back over to him and waited for him to notice him.
“Did you forget something?”
“I did. You. Would you spend Christmas with my family, Arthur?”
“Thanks, but I can’t intrude like that.”
Peter laughed. He started wheeling Arthur out of the garage and toward his car.
“Trust me, you would be doing me a favor. My mom always makes way too much food. Every year, she claims that there should be another person at the table to help eat it all. Looks like this year, she’s getting her wish.”
As Peter was about to help Arthur climb into the passenger seat, the older man stopped him by placing his hand on Peter’s arm. Peter looked at him with a confused, quizzical look.
“Is everything okay, Arthur?”
“Yes, more than okay. I just wanted to say…thank you.”
“For what?”
“For helping me.”
“If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.”
Ecclesiastes 4:10
Kimberly’s Reflection: Sometimes in order to truly help some else, we need to look past their gruff exterior. It’s not easy to do, but the saying is true that hurt people hurt people. It’s important not to let the busy rush of the holiday season cause you to overlook what is really going on with someone else.
This time of year is full of cheer and festivities, but it is also a hard time for many. We must remember that and we must respect that. Some are missing loved ones who cannot be home due to sickness, deployment, death, or many other reasons. It’s natural for them to want to withdraw or push away from celebrating.
As believers, we are called to witness and be light in this world. What an incredible Christmas present it would be this year if we stopped and looked around to notice the people in our lives. What if we could offer them the greatest present that Jesus ever gave us? His presence. Be a caregiver by offering what they really need this Christmas. Be present with your loved ones this holiday season.
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
Galatians 6:2
✨You can read the second part of the story here:✨
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“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”
Hebrews 10:24
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Thank you, Kim, for the reminder that we sometimes need to look past gruff exteriors!
So very real ~ Rosie