Mitch and Noah

Noah~ Courage

A chill ran down Noah's spine as the woman got closer and smiled even faker towards them both. While he didn't know her, her evil aura was scarily familiar, and he leaned in some towards Mitch, feeling instant relief at their arms light touch.

"Gentlemen! I heard you're looking for me? I do apologize for Tessa, she's new, and still learning the proper procedures around here. You wish to schedule a visit with your...aunt? Is it?"

"If by schedule, you mean in the next minute, then yes. I am here to see her, having traveled a considerable distance, and I will not leave until I do."

Mitch's stiff, professional demeaner in the face of someone so scary was very attractive, and Noah's chest stirred with pride.

" I completely understand your predicament, and I will for-go this little technicality, of course. Now, I will need the name of your aunt please, and please know, if she is resting, we will have to ask you to come back a little later in the day."

Her eyes flashed for a second with worry, though it was quickly replaced by a steel confident evilness that had Noah feeling nauseous, and ready to run back to the car.

No. He had to try not to run. Mitch needed him, he'd even said so himself.

That thought brought a surge of courage to Noah's chest, and he stood firmer in place as the man of his dreams angrily responded,

"I won't be falling for any stall tactics maam. If my aunt is sleeping, I will still go in to see her. I wish to be completely transparent with you when I say that I suspect you might be treating her, and most others here, inhumanely, and I refuse to leave until my suspicions are sufficiently verified false with my own two eyes."

The woman's face changed to one of anger as she looked around for some other way to stall the inevitable.

"I have, admittedly, already put in a request that your facility be checked on to the Department of Human Services, and as such, you can expect them to be visiting very soon as well; though I might have to request they send an agent immediately, should we have any other problems on your end."

Mitch shook his phone towards the woman as she sighed, and Noah felt even more impressed with every second Mitch's strong, no-nonsense personality showed.

"Who is your aunt, please."

"Rose Mae Prichard."

A look of panic crossed her face as she clicked like crazy into her phone.

"Hmm... Who again? I don't think I remember that name."

"Rose Prichard!"

Noah hadn't meant to say it so loudly, but was proud to contribute in some way, so that Mitch didn't have to waste his energy.

"Ahh, yes. Rose. She was one of the few I suspected you might be looking for, considering not many get phone calls here. Only 4 of the 15 residents in the last 3 months have received any attention from another person outside this facility. You know, I had thought it was a tad bit suspicious that a lawyer would be calling her, considering she's on a super low fixed income every month. Hardly enough to pay our fees, let alone a lawyer."

"Seems when it comes to her paycheck, you can remember her better than you originally thought. I am actually her nephew, AND her Lawyer. And as such, I know exactly how much she is getting from her pension every month."

Mitch took out a card from his inner chest pocket, looked at it hesitantly for a second, and then handed it over to the woman, who took it, looked it over, and proceeded to look paler than ever.

"I see. Well. I'll need to phone Tessa to see if your aunt is awake and decent for company."

"I've already informed you that it doesn't matter, and If you stall another second, I am going to start making phone calls."

"Okay, okay, Jesus."

Noah had to stop himself from laughing at the small, slow, steps Jessica took as she turned to guide them back the way she'd come.

Considering the swift nature she had clacked down the hall towards them, the exaggerated snail pace was more than Mitch could obviously stand as he huffed and walked ahead of Jessica, who then raced to be in front of him.

"I have to ensure other residents' privacy is in mind as we head through."

"Yes, Of course. How thoughtful of you."

The words dripped with sarcasm and Noah again stifled a giggle, as he knew Mitch had not been trying to be funny.

He'd always laughed in uncomfortable situations, and this was an especially uncomfortable one with the way the woman reminded him of the one person he'd spent so much time and effort running from. The urge to laugh and run were only doused by the strength of character and body standing so confidently beside him.

Walking past what Noah could only assume was a cafeteria, he could see uncomfortable blue plastic bucket chairs sitting on top of 3, old, chipping wooden tables, as if they hadn't been used yet for the day, even though it was on the verge of the end of lunch time. It stunk of mildew, with none of the traces of lingering breakfast or lunch smells one would suspect to be present.

"The cafeteria looks unused."

Mitch's thoughts were obviously right on the same wavelength as Noah's.

"We tend to feed residents in their rooms, as many refuse to eat but on a one-on-one basis these days. We do have taco Tuesdays though, where a local businessman comes and donates tacos to everyone. The residents love it, and the man does too cause he can write it off on his taxes and mention it on his website. It's such a win-win for everyone."

The woman was obviously trying to change the subject while at the same time take up all the talking time in hopes she wouldn't have to answer any more difficult questions.

Mitch had other plans though.

"Are you the one in charge of dispensing medications, and if so, which ones have been prescribed to my aunt? I fear she will have medications in her system that have not been authorized by her past legal guardian, which, until a few days ago, was my mother. She sent me all relevant information she's gotten from you all, which isn't much, and happily handed this matter into my hands."

Noah felt just as shocked as Jessica looked, and he couldn't help but wonder what sort of a person Mitch's mother was.