Walk on the Wild Side

Oh, yeah.

Brenda leaned her head back as the wind caressed her streaked hair. At last, a convertible, my own convertible. A burgundy convertible. Laughter trailed after her.

Brenda knew she was hot, so totally hot. The women around her were hags compared to her.  The men who passed by gave her that look, confirming her thoughts. They waved and smiled, that kind of smile that said Hey, babe. Walk on the wild side...

She slammed her foot down on the gas, taking her convertible to its highest speed.  Take that, mustangs.

Brenda slowed just enough to hang the turn into the parking lot.  She skid into a space, one near the Atrium where cards slid across the felt and fortunes fell. Money burned in her red Louis Vuitton purse.

In moments, Brenda was through a door that opened for her.

Brenda eased her walker to an awaiting table. "Hey, ladies. You ready to put your money where your mouth is?" With that, she turned up her hearing aid and slapped down the maximum ante of $3.00. 

"Saw your new golf cart, Brenda!  Could see that you cranked it up to 20 mph this time. Speed will kill you every time. That and Alzheimer's." Hester smirked.

Those around her chuckled and picked up their cards. Brenda laid her red Louis Vuitton purse on her walker. She had left her cane at home, since her last hip surgery.

Arthritis is a bitch.

Click here to see where Brenda gambles

Relativity

Avo Theater in Vista, California: source

Sitting in a darkened theater as actors unfolded the plot, Susan realized that she may be the youngest person in the small local theater.  If 61 years can be considered young, then she definitely was.

The high pitch of hearing aids and occasional stage whispers what-did-that-man-say-I-can’t-understand-any-of-this reminded Susan that age is relative. 

It reminded her that walkers and hearing aids do not an old person make.  Yes, creaking joints, arthritic fingers, and sagging skin are darn good indicators.  But, it is what happens in the brain that makes a difference.

The fact that the theater was full of elderly people who got there on their own power and who laughed at the right times (mostly) says a lot.  The fact that groups of widows talked about going out to dinner afterwards says life goes on. The fact that the husband & wife couples still held hands says more. 

All in all, Susan felt like a teenager.