Take off your hat, I want to stand up.

Chapter 36: Hello Lloyd?

Chapter 36: Hello Lloyd?

Hello Lloyd, your name is Lloyd?

Once Ev was clear of her second husband, David, she was on the make. She was not one to be alone. She started to drink again. She did not have the personality to be a silent, solitary drinker, she drank out of sheer loneliness. She was a secret drinker, get up, have a drink before she had brushed her teeth, ate Cheerios and Baileys for breakfast.

Evelyn became a shut-in, self imposed isolation, every once in awhile she would get dressed to go to the liquor store to refresh her supplies. Then she found out she could order a taxis to drive to the liquor outlet, buy the booze and deliver it for a slight charge. Now she was in business she could drink herself into a stoned stupor, wallow in as much self-pity as you could pile onto a body and never go out.

Over a short time her health deteriorated, she lost weight. She was not eating properly, quickly she became a haggard reclusive. At one time she did not answer the phone, open the door to family and had no friends. She was in a self imposed exile,

a true living hell.

In the summer I came home from Calgary and found her unresponsive by her bed. She was on the floor, drunk, angry and disoriented. I asked how long has this been going on? We needed to get help. My sister Janie called an ambulance and escorted her to the hospital. Ev was on the brink of death. Jane saved her life.

Following a two week stay in the hospital she was transferred to the dry - out clinic in Saskatoon, the Calder Rehab centre. She was a super reformed alcoholic by the time the treatment had ended. Soon she was going to be released back home. This was our families second case of self inflicted alcoholism. Some would argue alcoholism is a disease. No, alcoholism is caused by drinking. It is a choice. You choose to drink and you can choose not to drink. A quick and easy way to change alcoholic ways, stop drinking. Ev stopped drinking.

We went to visit Ev the day before her release. It was a wonderfully sunny, beautiful spring day. The kind of day you want to get out and bike around the river or lake. We greeted Ev and said, welcome back my dear sweet mom. You look fabulous. Her skin was fresh and her eyes were back to a sparkling brown. You made it where others have failed.

Congratulations, we were standing out in the fresh air as she pulled on her cigarette, exhaling the smoke into the wind. She looked up and spotted a man walking along the far sidewalk. He was an aboriginal man wearing a full length raincoat, head down, feet shuffling along. Ev whistled a long shrill, piercing note, Marvin, Marvin. She called out three or four times, the man stopped and looked back in complete anger.

Ev continued, Marvin is that you? Marvin brightened at the sound of Ev's voice. He changed his attitude, is that you Ev? The shouting match over the block distance crawled forward, yes it' s me.

Marvin, Ev challenged, have you been drinking?

Only a little, came the sheepish reply.

You need to get yourself back in here. Marvin are you listening to me?

Ya, Ev, I will, tomorrow, O.K., I am going downtown for a beer. I think I will quit drinking later. He smiled, waved and continued on his way.

Evelyn was his friend and wanted the best for him. She hollered back alright, I expect to see you in here tomorrow or the next day at the latest. They parted company and never spoke again. Ev went home that afternoon, she had beaten the booze. She was still lonely. I loved my mom more at that moment than I have ever loved anyone else. She was a champion, I told her so. Knowingly she smiled. I love you too.

Two months later I surprised her by driving to the beach cabin from my home in Calgary. I walked into the kitchen through the backdoor. It appeared no one was at home. A head popped up from the couch. Jackie what are you doing here?

I came to visit for a few days to spend some time with you. Just then a second head peered over the couch cushions. Jackie this is, she hesitated as the name of the gentleman had escaped her. A brief pause, he said Ev, my name is Lloyd.

Oh, yes Lloyd. We just met today at the store, he is a farmer from the district. Quicker than a falling leaf he scampered out of the backdoor, citing a desperate appointment he needed to attend.

My mom had picked up a random stranger and enticed him back to her house. Can you stay for dinner? We can bar-b- que some Cope's porterhouse steaks, I just need to go to the store. Lloyd scurried out of ear shot.

Apparently getting a steak was what took her to the store in the first place before she was otherwise distracted. Funny story, I just wanted her to be happy, we never mentioned the little drama again, not even once