Chapter Eight: Eugene:

Once Kathy finished cleaning Bret’s house, she walked across the street to her next stop. It was a good thing that she had a strong stomach for this job. Then again, the things she saw during the exile had toughened her up. Pretty much nothing could shake her at this point.

Even so, she had a job to do.

Kathy found Eugene sitting on his porch, watching her coming over. She waved when she spotted him.

“Eugene,” she said. “What are you doing out here?” Eugene, a little bit older than her, lowered his arm.

“Is he dead?” he asked. Kathy looked at the house he was pointing at.

“No, Bret’s going to be fine,” she said. “It was a good thing I found him in time.”

“Did he overdose?”

“Yes, I’m afraid.”

“What was it this time?”

“I can’t say.” Kathy walked up the stone path. “May I join you?”

“Sure.”

“Thanks.” She took a seat next to her neighbor.  Kathy unwrapped her sandwich and started eating. Eugene turned to her with big eyes.

“You’re able to eat after being in that house?” he asked, pointing across the street.

“I am hungry. Plus, I am used to it all by now.”

“Lucky. Would you like chips or a drink to go with your sandwich?”

“No, I’m good.”

“Are you sure? You’re looking really pale. Are you eating well?”

“Look, I’m supposed to be asking you these questions, not the other way around.” Kathy set her sandwich in her lap. “Besides you look paler than I do.”

“But you have to take care of yourself as well.”

“Yes, yes.” Kathy couldn’t help but wonder if Eugene and Abraham have been talking to each other. She took out her notepad and flipped it open.

“How have you been?” she asked.

“Fine,” the older man said.

“Still having trouble sleeping?”

“Yes.”

“Are you taking your medication?”

“No.”

Kathy stopped writing own her notes and looked at the older man. “Eugene.”

“I don’t like them.”

“But you need to take them.”

Eugene clenched his fists in his lap. “I don’t want to forget. I have to hold onto the memories.”

“But why?”

He moved his hand to his chest. “I feel that if I start to forget the exile, I can’t move on.” Eugene looked her in the eye. “I don’t want to forget.”

“But you won’t be able to sleep or handle your anxiety,” Kathy said.

“I’m okay with that,” he said.

“Eugene…”

“I’m okay with that!”

Kathy closed her pen. “Okay.”

The older man took a breath. “Do forgive me. I don’t mean to yell. I really do need to sleep.” He took the carer by the hand.

“Would you mind staying with me?” Eugene asked. Kathy gave him a gentle smile.

“Got any chips and a drink?” she asked. The older man smiled in a weak way.

“I’ll see what I have,” he said. Kathy looked down at her sandwich as Eugene walked into his house. She put away her pen and notepad and went back to eating lunch.