Lou

Lou is a sweet old lady with short, white hair. It's fixed nicely into a straight bob, unlike the curly old lady hair most women her age sport, sometimes not by choice. Whoever does Lou's hair makes it to where it frames her face in a way that makes her appear years younger than her chart claims- 74.

My first night on the job, I was assigned the task of putting Lou to bed. I probably did not do a good job. I forgot to brush her teeth and change her into pajamas, now that I think back on it. Regardless..

Lou was sitting at the dining table with her hands placed neatly in her lap. Her eyes stared forward, complacently vacant, and I still can't tell if she were thinking of anything at all. I came up and put my hand on her shoulder and asked if she would like to go to bed. "Yes," she replied in an old, feeble voice- making sure to drain away at the 's' part on the end. I helped her out of the chair and held her hand, leading her down the corridor. I asked her if she liked dinner, to which she replied, "Yes."

I asked if she had anything particular in mind that I could do to make her feel more comfortable with my presence, she replied, "Yes." Seeing no response, I asked what else I could do, to which she replied, "Yes."

I paused for a second, still shuffling along to her room and asked her if the only thing she could say was 'yes'. She giggled out another "yes" and I had probably one of the most genuine laughs in a while.

Once into bed, I tucked the covers, one by one, around Lou and asked if she would like me to place her glasses on the nightstand, to which she replied, "Yes." I asked if she would like me to read something to her, to which she replied, "Yes." So I picked up the only book in the room, which happened to be a copy of the Bible. I rolled my eyes in a vague disgust but flipped open to the book of Job, which is my only favourite chapter in the entire thing. So I announced this fact lightly to her and began to read of Job's demise. Less than three paragraphs in, Lou was fast asleep. Upon noticing this fact, I filled her in kindly on my thoughts about the Bible and its demograph of followers. I promised her a better read in the future, perhaps Stranger in a Strange Land or Cat's Cradle. Eventually, I wrapped up my monologue once I realised it began directing itself onto the path it always does and decided to take leave. I turned off the light and set the book down and began to leave, which I suppose interrupted Lou's slumber briefly. I asked her if she would like the lights off and she replied, "Yes." I turned the other light off and asked her if she was comfortable, to which she replied, "Yes." I then told her to sleep well and have fun dreams for me and began for the door.
I asked, "Lou, would you like me to close the door?"
"No," she replied.
I paused briefly.

"You trickster."