Me and Charley

16. Eyeless

The alarm woke me but I couldn't open my eyes. Only when my fingers touched the patches did I recall what was happening to me. I stood up and headed to the bathroom. As I opened my door I heard Mom's door open. She said, "Good, you're up. Can you wash up by yourself?"

"Yes, Mom. Like I said last night..."

"Never mind," Mom interrupted. "Just don't get the patches wet. I'll lay out a fresh clothes on your bed. Call me when you're ready and I'll come and help you come downstairs."

"Yes'm," I said, though I had no intention of doing so. My morning routine took longer but went without any incident I could detect. I got dressed, put on the dark glasses, got my cane and guided myself along the wall to the stairs. My hand found the banister and I went down with great caution. The aroma of Mom's mini-pot of coffee and the sound of the kitchen radio guided me across the living room. The little ridge under my feet told me I had reached the kitchen door and I called out, "Hi, Mom!"

"Trey! I told you to call me."

"Sorry, Mom," I said, though I didn't mean it and I was sure she knew that.

"Trey, now listen to me. You must be very careful always, and not try to go anywhere alone."

"Not even in my own house? I mean, I got here just fine."

"Trey, please... Look, I don't want to start my day with an argument, all right?"

"OK, Mom." By that time I had zeroed in on the sound of her voice and stood right next to her. I reached over and found her head, drew it to me and tried to kiss her cheek. I knew the instant my lips touched her I'd found her ear. "Oh, Trey," she said as she hugged me tight. "I love you so much."

"I love you too, Mom."

"Trey, we need to get going. Are you ready?"

"Well, let's see..." I said airily.

"Trey, cut that out! Come on, let's go."

Mom put her arm under my hand and we headed out the back. At the bottom of the ramp I said, "You go start the truck, Mom, I can get in by myself." I let go of her arm and found my way around the corner of the garage and to the passenger door of the truck, and got myself in just fine. As we drove up the lane Mom said, "Trey, I swear you are getting more like Charley by the day."

"Is that a good thing, Mom?"

"For the most part it's a very good thing. It's just that he's so darn independent. I hope that doesn't get you in trouble." I didn't know what to say to that. We stopped at the road, then crossed and made the turn into the McDougalls' driveway, and in a second Ms. Rhoda's voice came from Mom's window as she said, "Good morning."

Mom said, "Good morning, Rhoda. I'm sorry we have to get you up so early."

I opened the door and started to get out when Mom's hand grabbed my arm. "Don't I get a good-bye kiss?" she said.

"Sorry, Mom," I said as I puckered up and waited. We kissed and she said, "Enjoy your day, son."

"Yeah, Mom. You too." I let myself out of the truck, shut the door and started in the direction of the house. I heard the truck back down the driveway and make the turn into the road toward the village. As its road noise faded I suddenly felt very much alone. I found my way across the front of the garage to the "people door." I thought Ms. Rhoda would guide me. "In here?" I asked.

She replied, "Mr. Bob and Charley are still asleep. Maybe we'd better go in by the deck."

"Will you help me? I'm not so sure of the way, that way."