The Elevator (March 2024)

 

Creak. Groan. A jolt and the floor drops two feet and bounces to a stop. The old man loses his balance and teeters over in the direction of the other passenger, a young teenager. She reaches out and steadies him.

 

“Sir? Are you okay?”

 

“I’ve been better . . . but I’ve been a whole lot worse.”

 

She picks his cane up off the floor and hands it to him.

 

“Thank you, Miss.”

 

“You’re welcome, sir.” After she says it, she looks away.

 

“This old building . . . Things act up sometimes.” He presses the emergency button. “I think I’ve seen you before, but my eyes aren’t so good anymore.”

 

“We just moved in.”

 

“Nobody answering.”

 

“Hello. Are you in the elevator?

 

”Hello. Yeah we seem to be stuck. Between the 11^th and 12^th floors I think.”

 

“Are you okay for now? Anybody hurt?”

 

“No, just a little shaken up.”

 

“Is this Mr. B?”

 

“Yes, it is.”

 

“Mr. B, this is Helen with the property management company. I’ll get a guy right on it, OK?

 

“Thanks, Helen.”

 

He notices the teen’s shopping bag, and says, “So, you headed to the grocery store?”

 

“Yeah. My Mom’s leg is still healing so I do all the shopping.”

 

“You must be a good daughter. What’s your name?”

 

“Sara.”

 

“I’m Albert, but most folks just call me Mr. B.”

 

“How do you spell that?”

 

“Just the letter ‘B.’ My last name’s too long to pronounce.”

 

“Mr. B. Can I ask you a question?”

 

“Sure.”

 

“Is this a safe place to live. My mom’s afraid to leave the apartment.”

 

“Well, it’s a big city, Sara. There’s lots of bad people, but I like to think that there are more good people than bad. We do have to watch out for one another though.”

“That’s what I tell my mom.”

 

“Well, Sara, soon as we get out of this elevator, I’m going to the store myself to pick up some flowers. Can I accompany you?”

 

“Sure thing.” She removes her black-and-white patterned scarf and puts it away in her purse.

 

“It’s my wife’s birthday, and I like to bring fresh flowers.”

 

“I’m sure she’ll be very pleased.”

 

“I like to think so, Sara.” He takes off his red baseball cap and stuffs it in his back pocket.

 

“We’re moving again. Does this happen often?”

 

“No, I don’t think so. It’s my first time.”

_____

 

“You get everything you need?”

 

“Yes, I think so.”

 

“You okay to walk back by yourself? I’m stopping by the cemetery before I go back.”

 

“No, I’ll be fine. Thanks.”

 

“See you around, Sara.”

 

“Nice to meet you, Mr. B.”