Misty Hill Manor

Comfort Zone? What's that?

He took in a deep drink of his coffee, looked around the coffee shop at the people that were bustling around to get their daily go juice and to fuel their day. He sat his cup on the table and turned to the next page of the want ads. ‘Barbaric’. He said to himself. Normal people search jobs with technology these days. He’s had to resort to old school access. His mother would tell him it was because of his choice to take a year off from school and travel the world. His father told him he would not pay his bills for him. He was true to his word. No cell phone, no internet access unless he wanted to get a library card. ‘Fat chance’. He muttered. Alas, he needed to find a job. He still had several years of school left but needed to finance his habits. Like, food, clothing, toilet paper...

He noticed a few promising prospects, looked to be local. One local gas station needed an attendant. Great for a kid looking for a summer job, he thought. Next, housekeeper for a hotel downtown. “Uh, no.” He said out loud, taking another sip of his coffee. Scrolling down the page he noticed an ad framed out, like a commercial ad would be. 

‘Now hiring! Misty Hill Retirement is looking for skilled janitorial and nursing staff.’ Grayson continued to read the ad, finding it very interesting. “Janitor in an old folks home? I’ve never heard of Misty Hill.. anything.” He mumbled. “BUT. That, I can do!” He circled the ad and searched his pocket for some change. Looking around for a pay phone, he reminded himself it was the 21st century and although he wasn’t that old, he felt ancient without a phone. “Christ.” he said, disgusted with his current situation. Packing up his paper and cup, he headed for the door. “Time to grovel to Daddy.” 

It didn’t take him long to get to his parents house. He didn’t live there, his father changed the locks when he started on his world trek. So, he crashed at his sister’s place when he was in town. Knocking on the door, the housekeeper greeted him. “Gray! Love, how are you?”

“I’m great, Ms. Townsend.” He returned the warmth. Ms. Townsend had kept the house for his parents for as long as he could remember. He was raised in a prominent part of town where the homes were grand and the people that lived in them thought they were grander. Grayson was never comfortable with the snobbishness of those that resided in his neighborhood or kept company with his parents. His schools were no better, he didn’t have many friends. His sister, Samantha, felt the same way. They could thank Ms Townsend for their down to earth look on life. She was truly a loving woman and had more to do with their upbringing than either of their parents did. “How are you doing, beautiful lady?” Grayson hugged her tight and she held him tighter. “Let me look at you, boy.” He could see the love in the woman's eyes. She took great pride in him and his sister, as they were her own flesh and blood. “How long has it been, Gray? Two years?” She asked.

“About, yes ma’am.” He responded with a smile. “Too long. Oh dear, where are my manners!” She opened the door wider and let him through. “Your father is out of town, should I call your mum to the front?” She asked him. Ms Townsend was the literal English housekeeper. She had a deep English accent and feistiness you find in the country folks back in her hometown. She came to the states to follow her husband. Mr Townsend was the family driver and caretaker. He passed away several years back. The two were welcomed into the family a long time ago. 

“Yes please.” He told her as he hung his coat and hat on the rack near the door. “Tell her I’m in Father’s study, please.” She nodded and headed for the back of the house. He could hear his mother squeal from the back and feet scamper towards the front. “GRACIE!! Oh my God son!! I’m so glad you’re here!” She was bawling. “Mother.” Grayson hugged her but didn’t share her enthusiasm. He hated this house, this neighborhood, this town. 

“Grace, where have you been? Why don’t you call me?” She held his face with both of her hands, looking up to him. Grayson stood 6 foot 3 inches tall. Towered over his mother’s small, 5 foot slender frame. “Because I don’t have a phone mother. Remember? My support was stopped per Marion’s request.” Grayson answered her sarcastically. Saying his father’s name with disdain. “Oh, I’m sorry love. I forgot. I don’t mean to worry you. Sometimes I forget.” She pulled his head down and pecked him with a small kiss on his forehead.

“You don’t worry me, mother. I had it coming.” He huffed the words from his throat. He came to terms with his punishment several months back. But wanted to leak what he had saved to the last bit before he had to find employment. He knew his father would never come off of his decision. Stubbornness got him where he was now. He knows who he got that trait from. 

She looked at him surprised. “I was hoping father was home.” He looked to the ground for a moment and looked back up. “I need to find a job so I can finish school. I need father’s help to do it.” 

He looked defeated, his mother noticed. “Grayson, what is it? What happened? You can tell me. Are you in trouble?” She started her barrage. “No mother. I’m fine. Just need to get over myself and get on with my life. I’m done being bitter. I refuse to be like my father.” He said it quietly, without sarcasm. Her heart broke. “What can I do?” She asked, taking his hands in hers. 

“I really don’t want to get you involved in mine and father’s issues. Mother, I appreciate it but I know how he can be.” He smiled at her. 

“I can handle him.” She grinned wickedly. “How much?”

“Just need my phone and my car back.” He told her. “Done.” She walked out of the room and came back with a box and a set of keys.

“Anything else?” she asked as she handed him his phone and the keys to his car.

“No, I’ve got this. Thank you mother.” He said and kissed her on the cheek. 

“Do you have somewhere to stay?” She asked him. 

“Yes, I do. Thank you mom. Really. I appreciate you always being there for me.” He kissed her cheek again. Grabbed his jacket and hat and left. Ms. Townsend was crying in sobs behind Helen as he walked out the door. “He’s grown, miss.” She told Helen. “Yes, Meg. He has. He certainly has.” They hugged one another and Helen headed back to the rear of the house.

Grayson walked down the stairs to the sidewalk. Clicked the horn button on the key fob and walked towards the SUV that reacted to the button. “Hi my precious.” Grayson pulled the door open. Took a deep breath, inhaling the heavy scent of leather. “ Let us find employment!” He slid into the bucket seat and smiled. He started the engine, noticed that no one had touched any setting in the vehicle for over a year. In fact, beside a full tank and a different parking spot, it appeared it hadn’t been claimed by anyone. Before pulling away he opened the box that held his phone and found a note.

“Grayson. I told your mother if you return after such a long time and ask for your things back it would be to her discretion on whether or not you actually get them. If you are reading this, it is obvious your mother has decided you are deserving. I do not say this to start an argument or anything resembling one. I say this because I trust your mother and I love you son. We’ve watched you from a distance. We watched you live, lose, learn, and continue to live. We’re proud of you. Deeply. Please continue, we are enjoying the opportunity to witness your growth. All my love, your father.” Grayson put the letter back in the envelope, looked up at the house. “You’re sneaky.” He said, thinking about his mother. He smiled, took his phone out and turned it on. He noticed it was still connected to his car. He dialed the number on the ad and pulled out as he listened to the other end ring.