THE SHOEBOX

Enough is enough Julie decided. I’m old and I’m cranky, and today I’m crankier than usual. I’m sick to death of everyone telling me what to do and not do, what to eat, when to go to bed…next thing they’ll be telling me when to fart and where! After 80 years on this earth, I think I know my way around.

Julie grabbed her favorite cardigan from where she’d tossed it on her favorite recliner and pulled it on over a light summery dress. Just in case it gets a bit cooler toward 5. I probably won’t be out that long as I’ll need to be back to make myself some dinner, but just in case. I can’t have them all freaking out because I took myself out for a little walk. Alone! Julie smiled to herself thinking about that. Alone. No grandmother sitters!

Julie stepped onto the veranda, locked her front door, and stopped to look up and down her street making doubly sure she’d recognize it on her way back. Linda and Tom had moved her into this tiny shoebox, just 3 months ago. They really knew how to make her mad.

“Mom, this is absolutely necessary now that dad is gone. We know how much you loved your home in the country but we couldn’t let you stay there alone, a 3-hour drive from us and with your nearest neighbour a mile down a lonely country road.”

“We weren’t lonely there Linda. It was beautiful. So peaceful. No traffic noise. Trees everywhere. And the birds always visiting the bird-feeders your father built for them. It was blissful. We’d go for nice long walks together down that country road before my osteo-arthritis became so bad and dad’s cancer, well…you know.”

“Yes, I know mom but dad is gone now and for you to continue living there alone was out of the question. Besides, your house was huge…way too large for an old, um…grandmother.”

The arguments about moving Julie into the city to be near the family were endless and of course, the family won. Begrudgingly, Julie agreed their arguments made sense but Julie chuckled every time over how she’d gotten her way about bringing her huge 4-piece living room set into the shoebox. It was wall-to wall furniture in the tiny living-dining room and she liked it that way, thank you very much!

And now she was going on a little walk around the neighbourhood all by herself. Independence! Freedom!

Almost as if she was seeing them for the first time, Julie noticed how similar each of these homes were: all little shoeboxes with tiny front yards, concrete front steps, four-foot square porches…pretty much identical to the shoebox she now had to live in.

Nothing like my lovely country home in Minnesing with its A-frame roof, massive front window, angelstone and brick exterior, Julie reflected as she turned left at the corner. Was this the correct corner? The one where Linda turned toward the main road? Yes. She was sure of it. Despite her cataracts, she could see the stoplights at the crosswalk in the distance. See, Linda! I can go for a walk without you. I know where I am.

Julie continued toward the lights but was suddenly distracted by a sweet little puppy chewing on something in the front yard at the next corner. Julie loved puppies. She had even been thinking of getting one to keep her company in her shoebox and Linda had encouraged her to do it.

“Mom. A puppy is just what you need to help you enjoy your new home a bit more. Puppies can be such a comfort.”

“Yes, but I’ve never had a dog. Colin liked them but said they stink up a house and he didn’t want that. If they stink up a big house like we owned, I can just imagine how my little shoebox would smell. Besides, I wouldn’t know how to look after one.”

“You’ll learn, mom, and we’ll help you. And just think how nice it will be for you and I to take your pup for a walk every day. Good exercise too.”

Remembering that conversation now, Julie approached the pup wanting to pat him but he let out a little growl.

“Sorry dear,” said a woman sitting on her front steps watching her dog. “He’s become a bit stranger shy lately. He’s not unfriendly, but he has to take time to get to know someone before he lets them pat him. So he always gives them that little growl.”

“Oh, that’s OK,” said Julie. “I’m new to the neighbourhood and wanted to go for a nice little walk by myself and look around.”

“Well, you won’t get lost will you?”

“Oh no, my daughter Linda often picks me up and drives me to her house. She’s just over the other side of the cross lights and I watch where she’s driving. I know how to get there and back home.”

“Oh well, that’s good. Enjoy your walk then.”

What a nice lady Julie thought as she meandered further up the street. Maybe I could get to like it here after all. She had already chatted with her next door neighbours on each side and they were all very pleasant.

Now, where are those stoplights?

Through blurry eyes, Julie looked straight ahead, then turned around and looked back from where she had come. She couldn’t see the stoplights. Oh dear, she thought. Did I turn up the street to look at the puppy? I thought it was on the same road that I was headed along.

Confused, Julie started to walk back the way she had come. She didn’t see the puppy or the lady. Perhaps they’d gone inside. She then noticed a street branching to the left. Oh, that should take me home she reasoned. I turned left when I left home so another left turn and then two more should take me back to my house.

Julie gave herself an imaginary pat on the back, proceeded to the next corner and turned left. This all looks familiar. Those shoeboxes look exactly like my shoebox. I must be close to home now.

Home. Julie smiled to herself. I just called my shoebox home. She thought about how she had set up the living room with all her furniture from the other house and how nice her new bedroom looked. And that lovely little backyard! She could make it so pretty with petunias and portulaca and even plant some tomatoes. Julie had always loved gardening and that was something she could certainly do in this new house.

Another left turn street was coming up, but as Julie turned into it, she got a queasy feeling in her tummy. There was a big house being constructed on the corner. She didn’t remember seeing anything like that at the end of her street and she was sure this had to be her street. With the light dropping off Julie was having even more trouble trying to see the name of the street on the sign.

Oh dear. Am I lost? How did that happen? I was sure I was going the right way!

Julie felt panic setting in and she was starting to feel the evening chill. What time is it anyway and what direction should I head in now to get home to my little shoebox? Oh dear, oh dear…

“Mom! Mom! Oh thank heaven we found you! We’ve been driving all around the neighbourhood looking for you. How did you end up here? Come on Mom. Let’s get you into the car and home.”

Linda helped her mother into the car and within a couple of minutes pulled into her mother’s driveway. Julie was still trying to figure out where she had gone wrong on her walk and she was getting even more cranky with herself for not being able to work it out and being such a bother to Linda.

“How did you find me, Linda? I didn’t even tell you that I was going out. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t worry about it, mom. Just accept that it’s going to take some time before you really know your way around the neighborhood. Just promise me you won’t try setting out on your own again, especially without letting me know beforehand. You never even told me that you were heading off for a walk so when I tried to call you several times I got really worried.”

“I’m sorry,” Julie apologized again. “I feel like such a silly old woman. Such a bother to all of you. I just wanted to prove to myself and to you that I can still be independent and look after myself.”

“And so you are mom. Just make sure that you keep us informed if you decide to go walkabout. Now, are you hungry? How about we order in one of your favourite dinners and you won’t have to cook?”

“You mean Kentucky Fried chicken? I love Kentucky Fried chicken!” Julie replied enthusiastically.

“Your wish is my command, Mom. And how about while we wait I pour you a nice glass of that wine that you really enjoy? Would you like that?”

Julie gave Linda one of her biggest hugs, thinking to herself how good it felt to have someone who loved her to keep an eye on her in her old age. Yes, she could still be independent without being alone.

Julie sipped her wine. It seemed to taste even better than usual. As Linda ended her call to have KFC delivered, Julie said to her:

“You know what Linda? I’ve been thinking a bit more about what you said about having a puppy and I think I’d like to try that. When can we go shopping for one?”

“How’s tomorrow, Mom?”

“Perfect!” Replied Julie. “With my family nearby, and a puppy in my lap, my little shoebox will be absolutely perfect!”