Photo, story, then feedback lol. I wrote this last night after reading the wonderful comment I received to my story underneath. It’s quite true to real life with a little something at the end that may or may not be true to real life. Hope you enjoy.
Jilly shivered and huddled further under her blanket. Her little Yorkshire Terrier whined softly, then jumped up into Jilly’s lap, huddling close for warmth.
“I know you’re hungry Petal, but I don’t have any food for you” she sighed.
Life had been hard on Jilly since her husband died five years ago. The funeral had cost her every penny she had and gradually she’d started to fall behind on her bills. Now five years later, Jilly was living a bare existance. She had no electricity, no gas and no hot water. She didn’t have a phone to connect her to the world outside her door, although she had nobody to call if she had, and her cupboards were bare.
Jilly nudged Petal off her lap and slowly eased herself out of her chair.
“come on Petal, we’ll go get my pension, and then we can buy you some food” she said. Petal followed faithfully as Jilly went out into the hall, and put on her old threadbare coat. Clipping Petals lead to her collar, and making sure she had her pension book and key, Jilly and Petal made their way slowly outdoors.
Arriving at the Post Office, Jlly tied Petal to a hook outside, then went in. Thankfully there wasn’t a line, and she wouldn’t have to stand too long. At the counter while she signed her book a middle aged woman smiled brightly and said
“Hello Jilly, how are you today?”
“Oh, not bad thanks Susan, I’m living” she replied as Susan counted out her money. Then she began a coughing fit so bad it made her eyes water, and took her breath away. Susan looked concerned for a moment, then said
“Wait there a minute Jilly” and disappeared into the back. When she returned she was holding a Twenty Pound note that she added to Jilly’s money and pushed it across the counter. Jilly stared for a moment, then said defiantly
“I don’t want your charity Susan”
“And you didn’t ask for it Jilly, but I’m giving it to you anyway. Use it to go see the Doctor about getting that cough sorted” replied Susan. Looking into Susan’s eyes Jilly recognised the same stubbornness she possesed herself and knew it would be futile to argue. Without another word, she pocketed the money and walked back outside. Untying Petal she said
“Okay Petal, lets go and get you some food”
She’d taken no more than ten steps however when she was surrounded by a group of youths, taunting her and making fun of Petal. Frightened, she said
“Leave me alone” in a shaking voice.
“leave me alone” mimicked one of the boys and the group laughed. Someone pushed her from behind, and as she fell she saw Petal snapping and snarling trying to get to one of the boys. Then she was struck a heavy blow to the back of her head, and everything went black.
Jilly opened her eyes slowly. Her vision was blurred and her head felt strangely heavy. She was lying in a bed with scratchy sheets. As her vision began to clear, she suddenly realized where she was. There was no mistaking that smell. The smell she had endured for weeks on end five years ago as her husband lay dying in this very place. She was in hospital. Jilly turned her head as the door opened, and Susan from the Post Office entered carrying a potted plant. Seeing Jilly awake, she placed the plant on the bedside table, then went and sat in a chair that had a coat draped over the back of it. She’d obviously been around for a while. Taking one of Jilly’s hands in hers, she asked how Jilly was.
“a little strange to be honest Susan. my head feels heavy” replied Jilly.
“Do you remember what happened at all?” asked Susan. Jilly was silent for a moment as images flashed through her mind. Being surrounded by the group, hearing them laughing at her, Petal snapping and snarling as her beloved owner fell to the ground.
“Yes, yes, I remember” replied Jilly quietly, then added
“Where’s Petal?”
“She’s safe Jilly, she’s staying with me, she suffered no harm at the hands of those louts. Now don’t you worry, the Doctor’s coming to see you soon, and with a bit of luck, you should be able to come home tomorrow” replied Susan brightly. No sooner had the words left her mouth than the door opened again, and the Doctor entered.
“aah Mrs Carr, good to see you awake, I was getting worried about you” he said jovially as he checked her chart.
“Everything seems fine here, no high blood pressure or temperature … may I check your head wound please?” he added, and helped Jilly sit up. He poked and prodded, then pronounced himself satisfied.
“You were very lucky Mrs carr, just a cut that needed closing, and no fractures or anything, I think it’ll be fine for you to go home tomorrow”. Susan beamed as she rearranged the pillows behind Jilly and the Doctor left. Jilly frowned slightly as she looked at Susan,
“He was getting worried about me? Susan, how long have I been in here?”
“A week Jilly” Replied Susan. Jilly gaped at her.
The next day Susan arrived to take Jilly home. She’d washed some of Jilly’s clothes and brought them to the hospital for her to wear home. As they made their way to the parking lot, Susan filled Jilly in on everything that had happened.
“A policeman saw what happened as he was driving past in an unmarked car. He radioed for help and the paramedics, then gave chase. he caught one of the boys and arrested him, we got news 4 days ago that the boy has given the names of the rest of them. They’ve all been arrested, and are now in custody. You were on the news too, a lot of people in the community care about you Jilly, but they didn’t know how to reach out to you after the death of your husband. Your attack caused an outcry, I imagine there’ll be quite a welcome committee waiting when we get you home.”
Sure enough, as the car turned onto Bluebell Grove, there were no less than 30 people milling around outside Jilly’s house. As the car pulled up, Jilly found it impossible to speak, even her home looked different, it looked welcoming, inviting even. As Susan helped her out of the car, Jilly saw people she hadn’t seen since her husband’s death, smiling broadly, hugging her and welcoming her home. She heard a familiar dog’s yapping, and turned towards the noise. There stood Susan’s husband Joe, with Petal in his arms. She was wriggling furiously trying to get out of his grasp and back to her beloved owner. Joe put her down, and she raced towards Jilly. Susan picked her up and handed her to Jilly. Jilly smiled and hugged the tiny dog close to her. Susan led Jilly into the house and followed wordlessly as Jilly went through every room. Her whole home had been overhauled. Old furniture had been replaced with new, she had gas, electricity, hot water. Her cupboards were full to brimming with food for her and petal. She had a phone, and a book at the side of it, full of phone numbers of the people she’d lost contact with five years ago. With Petal in her arms, she whispered one word to Susan.
“Why?”
“People wanted to help Jilly, the whole community wanted to do something.” She led Jilly back to the doorstep, where everyone waited, and Susan began to speak.
“I’m sure I echo the sentiments of everyone here when I say Welcome home to Jilly. A woman of great character and strength with a healthy dose of stubbornness thrown in for good measure. Jilly’s attack brought about an unconditional outpouring of love from her neighbours and friends, when it was discovered that Jilly was living in less than ideal conditions, every one of you wanted to help, but more than that, we realized that Jilly isn’t the only one living this way.”
Susan turned to Jilly again and said
“So we have one last surprise for you Jilly. This community has set up a trust foundation and money and donations are pouring in. We pledge to use this money to help other elderly people in need. We’ve called this foundation Jilly’s Legacy.” As the people began to applaud and cheer, Jilly’s eyes filled with tears and spilled down her cheeks as she silently mouthed “Thank You” to her saviours.
I do hope you enjoy this story, I tried to make it as positive as I could, with the outpouring of love and help at the end. I personally feel that many Elderly People are often Overlooked when it comes to help, and I know many of them should be living in better conditions than they are right now. This is my tribute to them. A wish for a better life. Please leave any feedback you may have in the comments section. Thanks.
Ciao.
