The steps leading up to Evelyn’s porch creaked and flexed underneath my feet as I walked up them. ”Damn...” I internally groaned as got to the top of the steps and felt the porch flex underneath my feet. Glancing off to my right I could see a plastic planter that was filled with fake flowers that were faded and weathered. ”I wonder how many years those have been in there.” My eyes lingered on the flowers for a few seconds longer before I looked over to my left and began to study the wicker chair that sat in the corner of the porch. The cushion on the chair looked like it had been ripped open my an animal. ”Is that an acorn?” I asked myself studying the mangled cushion. ”I bet the squirrels are storing nuts in the damn thing.” I shook my head and looked back towards Evelyn’s front door. I could see that a light was on inside the small house, so I walked across the spongy porch and knocked on the door.
A couple minutes later Evelyn Mathison cracked the door open. “Hello.” Her voice sound coarse and tired.
“Hi Evelyn. I’m from Stanley Health and I am here to give you a quick check-up before we renew your most recent prescription.” I said trying to peer into her house through the cracked door.
“It’s 6 o’clock in the morning. Go away.” Evelyn said.
“Sorry ma’am this was the only time slot I had available. I’ll be on the road until 10pm tonight doing physicals so if you could just let me I will be out of your hair in no time.” I said doing my best to bull-shit my way into her house.
“I don’t have any new prescriptions.” She said cracking the door open a bit further.
I pulled my phone out and acted like I was reading something off it. “Ma’am it says that...” I stalled trying to think of a convincing line. “Your current arthritis medication is being discontinued.” I shoved my phone back into the pocket of my scrubs. “That’s why I am here to do the physical. We need to make sure your pulse, heat rate, and blood pressure are within a healthy range for your new medication.”
Evelyn glared at me, and then opened the door. “Fine. Make it quick.” She said turning and shuffling towards a recliner in the living room. I could hear her mumbling something about reporting me to the better business bureau and NPR as I followed behind her.
”My god this place is a dump.” I thought as followed Evelyn across the small living room. The dirty ragged carpet seemed to stick to the bottom of my shoes as I walked across it. The couch next to the recliner was covered in books, old newspapers, and clothes. Looking over my shoulder towards the modest kitchen I could see dishes littering the counter tops and prescription bottles covering what I assume was a small breakfast table. ”I feel like this place is closing in on me.” I felt a chill run down my spine when I realized that there was so much junk littering Evelyn’s home that she was left with just small walking paths that led between the rooms of her home. ”My god...” I thought looking back at Evelyn who had pulled up the sleeve on her nightgown.
“Come on. Take my blood pressure already.” She said. I could see anger in her bespectacled eyes.
”I hope this works.” I thought reaching behind my back. “Hold still.” I said as I quickly pulled the wand out of the waistband of my scrubs and zapped Evelyn with it. Evelyn blinked at me a couple time before she seemed to melt into the recliner. “Did she die?” I asked leaning in towards Evelyn’s face looking for any sign of life. Evelyn let out a strange moan and lightly coughed. “O thank god...” I said letting out a sigh of relief. “Now you stay right here and I will be right back.” I said as I turned to head back out to my car to get my supplies.
Sunday at Noon...
“That should be everything.” I said picking up my box of supplies. I looked over at Evelyn who was still passed out in her recliner. “I hope this works.” I mumbled as I studied the frail woman who now had two potions coursing through her weary old veins. “Assuming she doesn’t die she’ll be in her 80s at this time tomorrow...” I took one more look around Evelyn’s junk filled home. “I hope the potions will fix this place...” Lifting up my foot I could hear the dirty sticky carpeting attempting to hold onto the bottom of my shoe. “Ugh...” I groaned. “I hope I never end up being left for dead by society like this...” I mumbled as I headed out of her small house and back down to my car parked on the street. I took a quick look around to see if any of Evelyn’s neighbors were out. “Nobody.” I thought opening the door to my hatchback and sliding the box into the back seat next to the other box of supplies.
