Running in The 90s

1989: Part-Time Worker, Part-Time Friend

It was the following morning, and you and your father stood in front of the door of a newly renovated home, awaiting the parents of your father’s new patient to come. The both of you were dressed professionally; with him in dress pants and a white coat, and you dressed in your Speedwagon Foundation delivery uniform and cap. 

They were taking a bit too long to arrive– it was a recurring thought that repeated in your mind as you absentmindedly fiddled with the buttons of your shirt. 

“Are you sure we’re at the right address dad?” you whispered.

“I’m sure we are, Kiki,” he whispered back. “Just wait for them to get ready, okay?”

Perhaps you were just being a bit impatient; it had only been five minutes since you arrived after all. 

Just when you were about to check your watch, you heard the faint patter of footsteps getting louder and louder by the second. The door swung open, revealing a red-haired middle-aged woman seemingly out of breath.

“Hello! I am so sorry for the wait!” she bowed low in apology. “I just had to prepare some things before your arrival.”

“Not at all, ma’am.” your father bowed back in greeting. “It is very nice to finally meet you in person. As you may know, my name is Richard Brown, and I’ve been assigned as your son’s physician for the remainder of his recovery.”

“Yes, yes, I received the call last night.” Mrs. Kakyoin looks past your father, directly at you. “And I can assume that this young lady is the one I talked to over the phone then?”

You straightened up, clearing your throat a bit as you introduced yourself. “Yes, that’s right. It is very nice to meet you as well.” you followed your father’s actions, bowing down in greeting as well. “As I had explained last night, I’m here to deliver the medical items needed for the patient. If you’ll excuse me, I’d like to get the items out of the vehicle while the doctor starts his evaluation, please.”

The woman smiled, opening the door wider. “By all means, come in! We also have some extended family members here as guests, so it is a bit lively here if you don’t mind.”

Your father smiled, shaking his head. “Oh no, that’s quite all right! Having supporting family members here during a time like this is important, I believe. Just lead me to the patient’s room, please.”

As the two adults went inside, you went to the SPW van, pulled out a dolly, and loaded boxes on it to carry inside. It wasn’t much, so it wasn’t necessary to make two trips to bring everything inside. 

Rolling the boxes inside, you slipped off your dress shoe, careful not to bump into anything in the foyer. Unbeknownst to you, as you busied yourself unloading the items, a pair of eyes were on you.

Those sneaky little pairs scoped you out from head to toe, trying to assess their first impression of you. But alas, you were too far away–she needed a closer look. Pretending to be a spy like in one of those James Bond movies, the figure snuck past the nearest bookshelf, bumping into its corner by accident.

WIncing, she grabbed her shoulder in pain, tripping and losing her footing. Hearing a rattle above, she looked up, and to their dismay, a couple of heavy books were on their way down. 

“Eep!” the little girl covered her eyes, bracing for impact. A few seconds later, nothing was hitting her head much to her surprise. 

“Are you okay, little girl?”

She slowly uncovers her eyes, looking up at you, your tall form looming over her with a neat stack of heavy books in your hands. The girl’s eyes widened in shock– how did you get here in time?! How did you even know she was here?!