Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Weekly Visit

She will be here soon, Koraki said from his perch. I did not respond as I rocked slowly back and forth in my chair, slowly clicking my knitting needles.
She will try to take you away again, he persisted. I nodded slowly. Sarah was my only child, who visited me once a week for an hour. I was very happy she came to see me at all, but I also hated the fact that to her our visits were nothing more than an unavoidable piece of her schedule. Sarah was a busy young woman who loved nothing except her job. She was 43 with no family or prospects of one, content to spend her career as a lawyer alone. The only thing keeping her from her job 24/7 was me, and it seemed that she was set and determined to send me off to a retirement home where she could be sure I was getting the care I needed. That way she could reduce her visits to once every few months. I sniffed reproachfully. This was the thanks I received for bringing her into this world?
She comes! Karaki cried. Sure enough, moments later I could hear the clack of her heels against the floor outside in the hall, followed by a rapt knock on my door.
"It's open, dear," I called out to her. Sarah came sweeping in like the plague. Her smile was as fake as her chest, her dye-blond hair sculpted into place, and acrylic nails poised like claws.
"Hello Mama," she smiled. But as she looked around her smile faded slightly. I kept my place as clean as any old woman could keep a small apartment with 78 years worth of stuff could, but apparently she was not satisfied.
"You know Mama, this place really isn't the best place for a woman of your age..." She began.
Here we go, Koraki sighed.
"I saw a whole group of hobos on my way in. Imagine! And that strip club? I really don't feel comfortable leaving you in this neighborhood." Sarah proclaimed with a shake of her head.
You don't care! You never cared! Koraki said with an audible screech. Sarah looked at him in horror.
"Ugh! A raven!" She screamed.
"He is a crow," I corrected her. This didn't seem to help.
"Shoo! Shoo, you nasty thing!" Sarah said, waving her fingers at it, refusing to get any closer. Karaki did not move. I laughed, finding that the whole thing looked rather silly.
"Do you see? This is why you should move!" Sarah said hysterically, "Vermin like this all around the place! It is disgusting!"
Vermin! He cried again.
"Hush." I told him, and both he and Sarah fell silent. My daughter assumed it was directed at her, and she became offended.
"Fine," She huffed, "I know when my opinion isn't wanted, and I won't stay here knowing I can't speak my mind." She spun on her heel and left, slamming the door behind her. I sighed, squeezing my eyes shut.
Good riddance. Koraki huffed.