The Waiting Room

Raymond E MacRae 24.12.08.

Chapter 1

Just sitting there waiting for someone, he is not sure who or for what reason, life is becoming a matter of waiting.

The taxi had let George off out the front of a large white brick building at the end of a long curving drive.

The lawn was kept to perfection and there were large deciduous trees set in an organised pattern beginning to produce this year’s crop of leaves. George felt comfortable in this setting as this is what he had striven to build for himself since they had moved to town.

The last few weeks it seems he is not always with it.

George realises he is in the waiting room at his new place to live. It may not be home as he is used to, but merely a new place to wait,

“Resting Easy” is the name of this place where he is to live. His family in desperation have all agreed to find a place where Dad will be comfortable until he, “until he falls off the perch” to use his own words.

George MacRae is a tough and wiry man as life on the land has moulded him. He still had a full head of white hair; leathery skin covered a handsome face that always had a ready smile. George stood 1.9m with a slim build and still could be admired as a man of consequence his dress was impeccable and he used the manners of a gentleman.

A small woman, a little over weight, with a bought smile but dressed to perfection comes up to him and announces his name. He looks up and acknowledges. She says her name is Margaret and would he like to have a look around and perhaps see your room. He agrees and the tour begins.

As they walk down a long corridor sister Margaret uses language of a cultured woman. Margaret has fallen on hard times and forced into this work, points to various doors and announces what lies behind them in a pattern like she has done many times before for dozens of others who have come this way.

Eventually they arrive at his door, the room seems so small, and this is to be his place to wait.

They finally arrive at a much larger space with people at all stages of deterioration sitting and waiting. Some say hello to him whilst others just look and wonder.

Sister Margaret explains to George, this is where he will have company and be involved in activities. They have all sorts of activities painting, reading, and bingo and so forth, she is sure he will soon find something to interest him.

Now Mr MacRae, Sister Margaret announces, we will return to the front room to wait for your family and your belongings.

Margaret Sullivan was well preserved and her skin was shinning with health. Margaret had come from a property her dad had had for many years, but now it was all gone and she had to make a living.

She had married well and produced 3 sons with her now dead husband Albert Cunningham. The Cunningham’s held a large portion north of the river opposite the MacRae’s. The last downturn saw all the Cunningham’s property sold to cover debits. Debits mostly brought about by living too high and trying to impress the right people. 

George’s family finally arrive chatting and assuring him he will soon be part of the family here. The one big suitcase is all they brought but he imagines that is all he will need while he waits. With much fuss, George never liked fuss, they all moved to his room with Margaret at the lead explaining to all the marvellous amenities “Resting Easy” offered and assured them all how welcome they would be at any time. The family was to consider this new home of George’s as they would their own and could visit any time after 9am and before 6pm

Goodbyes were given then George’s family were off back to their lives knowing Dad would be OK here.

The first night was difficult as he was in a new bed and it did not fit like his old one at home. Eventually he went off to sleep and the next thing he knew it was morning. He lifted himself up on to one elbow and looked around at his new place.

He began to hear the new noises as the place came to life. There were noises new to him now but would become part of his new life. He had a small en suite so he decided to get up and prepare for the day. He unpacked his toilet requirements out on to the shelf and began.

Suddenly a knock on the door and in bounced a tall lady, full of life and good mornings. Lucy was one of the ladies who lived at the home and was there to organise the guests and help keep them on track. Lucy was about forty five slim tall and rather attractive George was quick to notice. George still noticed handsome women.  I see your up and dressed, breakfast will be in the dinning room do you know where it is? I’ll show you if you’re ready.

Well I was ready so off we went and found the dinning room.  The room held a few early rises’s all enjoying their breaky. He looked around to see if he felt warmth towards a particular table or person.

The table over there with a little sunshine coming through the window looked just right and there was a lady already there so he moves over and asks for permission to join her. Anne, he learned her name immediately, was a cheery soul and needed to know my name and where I used to live. We got on very well and eventually became great supports for each other. 

Other people came to the dinning room in various stages of not quite knowing where they were or why they were there. The ladies who looked after the dinning room knew who to approach and help. Eventually all had enjoyed breakfast and what to do now.

Anne took me to an area where we could just sit and chat. She wanted to know all about me and was quite happy to tell me all about her. She was full of life and had been there only 3 months.

Ann was around sixty five George thought, but he was never very good at guessing the age of women. She was beautifully dressed and obviously came from excellent circumstances. Her hair was well cared for and the manicure was recent. George could never abide people who did not take time to care for themselves. Here was another attractive woman things might turn out alright he thought.   

In that 3 months Ann had learned who to talk to and those who did not know why they were there. They often began stories and soon forgot what they were saying and who they were speaking to.

A few more came into this large room and smiled as they took up their usual seats to just sit and wait. I suddenly realised these people were not fully conscious of what was happening. One old man just sat and looked out the window. I noticed his nose began to run and was amazed to realise he did not notice and continued to look blankly out the window.

Another lady came in and made a bee line to where I was sitting and demanded to sit on HER chair.

Anne jumped to my defence and told Julia it is not her chair and this gentleman, referring to George, sat there first.

Julia seemed a little confused and wandered off to find another seat. Julia took with her a strong odour, Anne said she is unable to toilet herself and one of the ladies would be along soon to help and clean her.

I began to suddenly realise these people were to be my family and I had better get to know them and their peculiarities so I might navigate my way around without causing embarrassment. 

Around that time another gentleman came in and sat next to other man and told him to wipe his nose, he grabbed a napkin from around his neck and roughly wiped the offending nose. All settled down to silence. In the silence I realised there was a rather beautiful piece of music being piped into the room, this I recognised and leaned back and enjoyed it?