Catherine and Johns Saga Ch 1________Rainy Morning

            I am looking out the door of my patio. There is a soft rain falling outside. I had a restful sleep last night. Dreaming and waking up in a cold sweat is my usual. I turn on the light of the stove as I can put on the water for the tea. I don’t like too much light early in the morning. I went to the bathroom, turned on the lights and looked at myself in the mirror. I thought I didn’t look too bad for 55 years of age. My skin tone was fine and my smile was my best feature. Enough about me. My water will be boiling soon. I turn on the faucet and get my toothbrush out, putting some toothpaste on it and to brushed my teeth. I get a fresh wash cloth out of the drawer and turn on hot water to clean my face. I thought I would take a shower late in the day. I put my contact lenses in. I could still see enough without them. It was wiser to wear them. I turn off the light and go to the kitchen. I take the cup and saucer with the blue violets on it out of cupboard and put tea leaves in my tea pot. It was a light blue with orange blossoms on it. It had belonged to my grandma. I remember her every time I use the tea pot.

            John my next door neighbor must be taking a shower for the hot water pipe is making a clanging noise. I could hear him flush the toilet, cough, sneeze and hear his phone ring. I’m finished my toast and tea.

            I walked to my patio window and I noticed it was still raining.

            I hear a door closing and turning of the key in the lock. It must be John from next door. He has a special walk. I can hear he’s going down the stairs. I hear the click, click sound of the steps. He limps due to a past accident. I watch each day to make sure he is okay. He goes down outside steps. There was a heavy mist coming down. He thought about his umbrella in the trunk of his car. John thought it would stop soon. The birds were singing. So glad spring has come early. He limps slowly out to his car. Damn arthritis. He needs to go to a warm, dry climate. In trying to step around a puddle he stepped into a large one. He cursed at the person who designed this parking lot. Never gave one thought about water collecting in a huge puddle. John leans on the car as he walks around it. I see he is searching for key in pants pocket. He has many keys on key ring. He is looking for trunk keys. There it is. He opens trunk and finds old beach towel. He slowly walks around the car patiently wiping each window. He lifts each wipe blade and wiper under them. Can’t forget the head lights and the rear lights. He rings out the water in towel. Then lays towel out flat in trunk. He slowly closes trunk lid. He slowly unlatches car door and gets in car. He closes door and outs keys in ignition and starts car. He sets for a few minutes. He starts thinking about his car. He’s quiet proud of his 1977 brown Cadillac coup Deville. It was the interior that caught ever ones eyes. It was tan in color. The seats were genuine leather, and very comfortable and roomy. You didn’t get any of that in a car now days. The trunk was huge, looking around one more time he sees the pretty lady from the 2^nd floor. She was walking towards him. She has an open umbrella. It’s a Very colorful one. It was red white and blue stripped with flowers on it.

            John came out of the car. He said good morning. She was in a hurry. She couldn’t find her car keys. She was running late this morning. He asks her where she is going. She said to park and ride. Its three miles down the road. John said he would be glad to drop her off at the park and ride as he was going that way. “My name is John.” She said “My name is Catherine.” John opened her car door. When they were in the car she said “My what a lovely Deville.” He decided to take her to work as she was missing her bus. She worked only six miles from the bus. He felt comfortable with her. Traffic was slow moving. At least she wasn’t a chatter box. Catherine wasn’t too happy about working in wet shoes all day. Then she remembered she had an old pair that was at work. She would use them. She said that she was a physical therapist at the big clinic on Dayton Avenue. She asked about his leg. He said he got hurt on the job site. “They trained me to be a social worker. I’ve had therapy on it but it didn’t do too much good. I have arthritis in it also. So on days like this it really bothers me. I’m  a social worker for the county.”

            She says “Take your first right and then go till you see sign that says Physical Therapeutic clinic. Then stop at the second side door.” He gets out and opens the door for her. She thanks him. “Let’s get together sometime.” They exchange phone numbers. “Maybe we can get together in the club house. You know they have physical fitness equipment. I can see if we can strengthen your muscles in leg. I’ll call you.”

             Three weeks passed before he decides to call Catherine. He got the answering machine. So he left a message asking her to call him back. She returns his call and they decide to meet in club house the next evening at 7:00. John decided to get new work out clothes. He had an athletes build. Looking in the mirror he thought he looked pretty goof for a man of 33. His leg was badly scarred from the accident. He decided to wear his black long pants, and a black and white shirt. With his black hair and his tanned body he thought he looked quite dashing. When he arrives at the service room he arrives that Catherine isn’t there yet. He’s been too busy to work out so he was a little out of shape.

            Oh here she comes now; she has on a pink shirt and gray long pants, with pink stripes on the pant leg. She’s prettier than he remembered. He walked over to the door. “I’m so glad to see you”, he says. “How have you been?” she asks. That put a twinkle in his eyes. “Let’s get you up on stationary like so I can see what you can do.” She helps him by guiding his bad leg over the bike seat. She is selecting the speed on the bike. On the bike is a heart note monitor, and speed meter. He starts peddling with his right good leg. After five minutes he is breathing too hard, so she says “Let’s break for ten minutes. I have bottled water so have a couple swings.” She asked him how he got his accident. John says He was walking in a machine shop and tripped and a heavy piece of metal fell on his leg and broke it.

            “You have some good muscle in your leg.” He is still breathing hard when he tells the story of his accident. He gets emotional about it. She tells him that we should stop for another time. Catherine’s cell phone rings. Her mother calls and she needs Catherine’s assistance. I have to go to my mother. Give me a call and we will set up a date for another day on the bicycle.

GDI Catherine and Johns Saga Chepter-1
By G&G   2011-12,