The Baker Boys

Chapter 4

"Albert get out of bed." I grabbed his hand and back and yank him out of bed. 

"I'm too old for this," he grumbles.

"Albert, you are 86, you're not dying yet. Keep it moving." I tell and he shakes his head at me, groaning. 

Albert's a kind but stubborn old man that loves to read. I've known him for years and we've always gotten along. I volunteer at a local retirement home and he's who I do it for. I met when I first asked to volunteer and he clung to me like the roach he is. Annoying old man. Love him nonetheless, mostly because he reminds me of me.

I roll my eyes and tug again, "Yeah, but I'm not getting any younger," He says standing up looking at me.  I go get his cane from next to his bed and smack him lightly with it.

"Come. Onnnn." I drag out while handing him the cane, "Get dressed old man, I'll be outside waiting for you." He didn't say anything after that. I shut the door and lean my body against the wall, resting my head back onto it.

A few minutes Albert comes out of the room all dressed in khaki pants and a blue polo shirt and his socks and sneakers. "Looking handsome as ever." I wink jokingly as he chuckles. He walks into the hallway with his cane leaving me behind. Rude.

"Thanks for waiting for me," I remark sarcastically. 

"Did you read the book I gave you?" He totally just ignored me.

"Yes I did, It's in my bag." I nod. He pushes the down arrow, and we wait for the elevator to arrive.

We walk on and press the ground floor button, "And.." He murmurs expectantly.

"She didn't have to die, "I tell him but he doesn't say anything so I continue. "I mean come on, he tells her he loves her, and then she gets stabbed by her best friend. She didn't get to say it back. So uncool. And totally unfair!" I whine like a child.

"Oh honey, I've got more books like that in my room if you'd like to read them," He looks at me and laughs.

I make a disgusted face, "No. I've seen enough of sad love stories. Can you pleaseee give me happier ones?" I pull my puppy dog face as we step off the elevator. 

"Maybe; I'll have to go through my wife's books," He smiles sadly.

Albert's wife was a sweet woman, I met her many years ago but she sadly passed. Her name was Amiretta. It took a while for Albert and me to get over her passing, but we worked through it. It made us closer, if that was even possible. They both loved reading, but different genres, so I borrow their books and give him my opinions. 

The doors open and we walk out heading to the cafeteria. "How's Lorretta?"

"She's good, I think she has a crush on this guy that keeps messing with her," I say.

"What else is new. She has a new crush every month! Don't let her get caught up in to too much trouble, Whitney. I know you have an affinity for it," he points sternly at me.

I roll my eyes, "Yeah, yeah. Now pick up the speed, grumpy, I'm hungry."

Once we arrived at the cafeteria Albert sits down while I get us some food. I grab his blueberry muffin and banana smoothie, which he complains about if he doesn't have any. I grab myself some donut holes and head to our table. I had him his breakfast and we just sit there and talk for a bit.

After I threw our stuff away, a kind of off old lady named Mabel comes up to me and starts talking about her single son she thinks I should hook up with. Or at least I think, I kind of zoned out. I hear this every week.