My Name...

"Oh, now boss this is getting ridiculous, You have to..." Russ began but was silenced when the man held up his hand.

"You look different." The man began as he looked me over, putting his hand on his shapely jaw.

"I put my contacts in," I studdered clearing my throat. 

"What's your name?" He asked pushing back his coal black hair as if somehow it had fallen out of place.

"Epperly Wakes," I began loudly, "Epperly Sacha Wakes," I spoke softly, pushing my hair behind my ear.

"Well, Epperly, I'll keep my eye on you, I'll have to since we keep running into each other like this." He smiled taking my hand and placing a kiss on it. "Have a good day,"

"Wait, wait, what's your name?" I called out coming back to my senses, but it was too late, he had already rounded the corner and couldn't hear me. I threw my hands down and continued to Shady Oaks Retirement Home. "Good morning, Ramona," I called out watching her trying to get a book from Mr. Shannon's grasp.

"Epperly, we're here every Wednesday, Can't we at least go one Wednesday to like a beach or something?" Ramona whined as she finally retrieved the book.

"Ramona, could you enjoy the beach knowing that these poor souls were here?" I asked as I grabbed a blanket from the closet.

"Yes," She stated crossing her arms.

"Ramona Lirette!" I stomped my foot walking over to put a blanket over Mr. Shannon.

"Okay, okay," She put her hands up in surrender.

"Ramona," Rusty started. "Oh, Epperly, hello, hello," He walked over slowly, and shook his head back as his shoulder-length dark brunette hair swung about. Rusty Hodges was a bit overweight, his two front teeth were more pronounced than his others, and he had a long scar on his forehead that he refused to talk about.

"Morning Rusty," I quickly moved to Mrs. Mary watching Rusty make his way toward me. 

"Epperly, are you going to leave me hanging again this weekend?" He asked as he poked his bottom lip out as he continued to walk in my direction. "You left me at O'Callahan's, I waited there until they closed."

"I never said I was going to O'Callahan's, Rusty," I said plainly as I moved away from Mrs. Mary and closer to Ramona.

"So, Saturday night I'll be at Josie's Bar, and I'll see you at eight." He rounded Mrs. Mary in her rocking chair as he made his way closer.

"Mr. Hodges," Grumbled Mr. Stevens, the co-owner of Shady Oaks. "I need you on the top floor today, Jacob didn't make it in. He tapped his cane on the ground as he stared down Rusty making noises as he walked to the elevator. "Ms. Wakes and Ms. Lirette, good job here," He smiled as he began turning the ends of his thick white mustache upward. "Uhh, we have a new staff member who will be joining you soon, I'm sure I can trust you two, to show her the ropes." He began walking away with a slight limp putting his white fedora on top of his snow-colored hair.

"Good morning, I'm... oh my god don't tell me you guys volunteer here too?!" Claudia cried out shifting her weight from one foot to the other as she crossed her arms. Her mousy brown hair was braided up and her dark brown eyes rolled around as if our presence was annoying her. "You know, it's so annoying that you have to be so good all the time."

"You know, thanks so much Claudia, and it's seriously annoying that you're such a..." Ramona began as she trudged toward Claudia, I held out my hand in front of her as she breathed out and turned around.

"We volunteer a lot of places, Claudia, so today you'll be washing all the bedding and clothes." I relayed as I motioned down the hall.

"Oh, so you put me on laundry duty?" Claudia whined as she stomped her foot. "Just because you aren't getting any doesn't mean you have to make us all have a shitty day." She scoffed heading down the hallway.

"Don't listen to her, Epperly, hey, why don't we go to Donavan's tonight?" She started rubbing my back, pushing her hair out of her eyes.

"I want my pudding!" Mr. Shannon screamed out as he raised his fist in the air.

"You'll get your pudding!" Ramona shrieked as she turned around to face the old balding man.

"Ugh, who knew old people were so disgusting, thank god I only have to come here Wednesdays and Fridays," Claudia complained as she dusted off her hands and grabbed her bright pink purse before throwing it over her shoulder. "I'm outie, oh and Epperly, you should find some dick, you won't be so moody." Her heels clicked on the floor as she walked out of the sitting parlor. 

"So, are we going to Donavan's?" Ramona smiled as she grabbed my crocheted cardigan from the visitor's closet.

"No, I need to see Mr. Stevens, he sent Judy with a note when you went to give Mr. Shannon a bath." I giggled letting down my hair from the large clip.

"Yeah, you let him pour the apple juice all over himself." She shoved me as we both laughed. "I'll call you tonight."

"So, Mr. Stevens, you wanted to see me?" I asked entering his office and taking a seat on the black chairs in front of his desk.

"Yes, of course, Ms. Wakes, you and Ms. Lirette have been volunteering here for ten years and I know I've said this before and I wouldn't take no for an answer, You have to take the job here I'm offering. I can't in good conscious have you doing hard work and not get paid for it." He frowned as he began rummaging through the drawers. "Now, here take this, and give the other to Ms. Lirette, and don't give it back, you both will get one every week." 

"Thank you, Mr. Stevens. You didn't have to." I got up and walked out of the nursing home and down the street.

"You again!" Russ shouted at me as he grabbed my arm and twirled me around.

"Russ, that's enough," The man held up his hand. "So, Ms. Epperly Sacha Wakes, we meet again. This is something to keep running into each other like this, What would you call it?" He smiled as he looked down at me, his Italian accent hovering around him like cigarette smoke, his mocha-colored skin kissed the sun and glistened as beads of sweat started to drip down his temples.

"Fate maybe," I chuckled not realizing I was staring at him. "I didn't get your name." 

"Hack Hyland, it's a pleasure to meet you." He extended his hand to mine as he bent down to kiss it."Well, since it must be fate then you will join me for dinner tomorrow night then?" He asked.