Page 43 - Life's Outtakes 8

my mother drove us around the community, stopping
only at the homes of the elderly. Instead of begging for
treats, we took them some.

Many of them were widows and were lonely.
They would invite us in and share stories, and it seemed
to make life better for everyone.

When I became old enough to drive, I was the one
who drove my younger brother and sister and me. But
this year my younger siblings had parties to go to, and it
was left to me, alone, to carry on the family tradition. I
had already promised my mother that I would.

“I’m sorry,” I told Lenny, “but I already have
plans.”

“You aren’t going around visiting old people
again, are you?” he asked. When I nodded, he laughed.
“You’re seventeen years old. That kind of stuff is for
kids.” When I said I still planned to do it, he just shook
his head. “It’s your loss. You’re going to miss out on
all of the fun. Maybe if you hurry you can catch the
end of the party.”

He laughed again, and, along with all of the other
guys with him, teased me a bit more before heading off
to catch the bus home.

All day Saturday, as I worked, I thought about it.

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