Getting Old Is a Disaster by Rita Lakin Read Free Book Online Page A

his arms, but the mood is gone. Talk about totally.
      "I can't. Not right now. I have a splitting headache."
      Jack tries for a smile. "Can't you see the humor in this?"
      And I do. I laugh softly. Jack joins in. He says, "You think there's some conspiracy keeping us apart?"
      "Probably. Go back inside before your harem girls melt into a pool of self-pitying tears. And beat the hell out of them. In cards, I mean."
      He kisses me.
      I warn him, "And watch out for the tigress in there. She's out to devour you."
      I'm still laughing as I dash down the stairs.
      Suddenly, the skies open. It's raining and of course I didn't bring an umbrella. Then I realize I left my toothbrush at Jack's. I slosh my way home, my feet getting wetter and wetter in my open heels. All the way I am giggling and muttering like a madwoman. "I cannot believe this, I absolutely, positively cannot believe this . . ."

7

    Enya in Trouble

    E nya thrashes about in her bed in the throes of
    a terrible nightmare.
       Closer and closer. They are coming at last. There is no place to hide or to run. Huddled in their bedroom, the four of them cannot look at one another because the truth will be revealed in their eyes—they are doomed. Eyes, eyes. She sees his eyes and the terrible scar. Why is there no help? The pounding rain will drown them. They are hammering on her door. No escape.

    * * *
    As I dejectedly arrive back at my building, I am surprised to find many people holding umbrellas and standing around. I look up and see Ida on the balcony of our floor, staring across the courtyard parking area to the building opposite. She is holding a newspaper over her head against the rain. I turn to find out what's caught her interest.
      Denny, our handyman, dressed in rain gear, is standing in front of his apartment, staring up at the second floor. Evvie and Bella are on the walkway in front of Enya's apartment, 219, at the end of their floor. At the opposite end of the landing, Hy and Lola are standing in their doorway, whispering and gesturing.
      Evvie is pounding on Enya's door. "Enya. Open up. Please?" Bella huddles right behind her.
      I am up the stairs in moments, joining them. "What's going on? What's wrong?"
      Evvie glances at me, surprised. "What are you doing here? You're supposed to be with Jack."
      I'm not about to go into detail about bridge players barging in on us and trumping our love scene. "Never mind that right now. Why is everyone outside?"
      "We heard Enya screaming and then it suddenly got very quiet. We're trying to find out what's wrong but she won't open the door."
      I try the bell, with no response. We attempt to peer into her kitchen window, which is next to the door. There is some ambient light, but no movement. I take out my cell phone and dial her number. It rings five times. Finally a small soft voice answers. "Who's there?"
      I sigh with relief. "Enya, it's Gladdy. Are you all right?"
      "I need to sleep. I can't sleep."
      "Please let us in. Just for a moment. Okay?"
      She hangs up. I do, too. After a few seconds the door slowly opens. Enya, wearing an old gray chenille bathrobe, barely peers out. She looks haggard and frightened. I speak gently to her. "May we come in?"
      She nods. Evvie turns to all the onlookers to signal things seem all right.
      Ida calls from across the courtyard, "I'm on my way."
      Bella backs away. "It's fine," Evvie tells her. "Go back to your place and rest." Bella, relieved of having to deal with something possibly frightening, does so.
      The show is over. The onlookers return to their apartments. The rain stops.

    * * *
    I can't remember the last time any of us has been inside Enya's apartment. Years and years ago. And only briefly. She is a very private person and wants to be left alone. We've tried to include her in events, but she politely refuses. While her husband, Jacov, was alive, he brought her to all the seders we had and the