idioms...sayings understood by native speakers part forty six

Stacy took her lunch and headed outside the facility to a little park across the way. She pulled out her cell phone and dialed her husband. "Hi, honey."

"No. It is a little strange and all, but then maybe it is just because I'm such a baby nurse."

"Ha ha, you think?"

"Hey, how is your grandma? I don't mind that she borrowed my car while hers was in the shop, but, well, you know. It is my very first new car." she paused, listening closely. "She what? Pulled over?" Stacy almost dropped the sandwich she was holding. "Is she okay?"

"Phew. I bet your grandpa is fit to be tied." she sighed.

"Well, I have to get this food wolfed down. I know, mr. big wig prosecutor of Lansing County. I know that sometimes having a name will get your foot in the door or out of a ticket. It is not that I don't like your name, I just want my nursing licence to reflect my own name. Fine. I love you. Let's continue this argument some other time. Take care."

Stacy hung up. She sat at the picnic table, enjoying the fresh air when she noticed a relatively new SUV enter the parking lot of the rehab center. She smiled as she watched a tall pretty blond haired woman being helped out of the car by a taller, slender sandy haired guy. They seem like a nice couple, as she sighed and looked at the trees blowing in the wind. "I hope I can make a difference here."

 

Rick arched an eyebrow.

"What is that sup..." the phone hung up. Deshaun was always the doer. Dejuan was the thinker.

"Together, though, they make a great team." he sighed and looked at Lynn taking a worn Charlie towards the house.

"Lynn?"

She turned and waved.

Rick walked quickly up to the two.

"I was kinda hoping to take you to lunch."

"I think we are both just too plain tired to eat."

"Then, come to my house. I can make you something while you rest."

Lynn tiredly shook her head no.

"Rick, we are always taking from you. Your time, your food, your home." She held up her bandaged hand. "Your first aid. I don't use people like that." She paused, then added, "Besides, I am exhausted."

Charlie who had been staring off in space, said, "Li Li?"

"What, Charlie?"

"Charlie wants to sleep over at Wick's."

"But.."

Rick placed himself between the two and took each sibling by their elbows.

"You, guys, need to rest. Lynn when you wake up, I need your help."

"My... my help?"

"Yes.  My job is on the line tomorrow at the board meeting.  I have to give a huge presentation."

"Shouldn't you work on that by yourself?"  Lynn tiredly glanced at Rick's face.  He looked like he was almost ready to cry?  She sighed.  "If you think I can be of help, no problem.  I will help you.  After all, I am grateful for all that you have done."

He glared at her.  "Grateful?  Fine.  After you have rested, we will see just how grateful you are."

---

Jenny carried a large bag with a large pizza, a chocolate shake, and a carton of puddings. Carl followed her with a couple of two liters in hand. They strolled into the Phoenix rehab. She was impressed to say the least. It looked modern yet simple. Clean. A housekeeper discreetly wiped off the door handle Jenny had used, then smiled at her and said, "One just can't be too careful here." Holding a bottle of hand sanitizer, she offered it to Jenny who held up two bags. "Sorry, my hands are full."

"This must be your first time to visit here." She paused. "Please go to the receptionist desk." And then went about her business.

Carl was oblivous to the interaction with the housekeeper. He felt very nervous. Remembering when he had met with Jen's brother in the past. He had ordered drinks from Larry. He grimaced when he recalled trying to get him to help  with Jenny when he was trying to hit on her, and then he gave an inward groan, remembering how he had tried to challenge him... Larry's reply was, "I am not the one you should be afraid of."

Jenny and Carl stood in front of the information desk. A very well dressed receptionist looked up and asked, "How may I help you?"

"Ah, we are looking for Larry Wilson's room?"

"Oh, just a moment." She hit some computer keys and said, "He is in room 3026. Just go down this hall," she pointed to her left, " and take the elevator. When you get off, go left and you will find his room on the right at the end of the hall."

Jenny started to say thank you, but the receptionist said, "This is your first time here to visit. Just a moment please." She turned and then took a pamphlet from her stack. She faced the pretty blond haired visitor again. "In here, you will find useful information about our facility. And," seeing the grocery bags full of food, she added, "I am sorry but we do not allow outside food. Our residents have a very nutritional diet here and are not allowed to stray from it."

Jenny gave the woman her most winning smile, "Ah, can't you make an exception? I mean it is his birthday."

"Ah, Miss, I understand your feelings, but unfortunately, it is not Mr. Wilson's birthday. If it was, my screen would have alerted me about that." She placed her most winning smile. "Birthdays are serious business here, you see. Our guests receive a bran muffin with a candle, their favorite juice, a frozen low fat yogurt, and get sung to by the staff. Everyone here wishes them a happy birthday."

"But."

Carl gently took the food. "Jenny, I will just take these to the car. I will be right back." As he emptied Jenny's hands, the Receptionist smiled and held a bottle of hand sanitizer.

"Hold out your hands, Miss." Jenny shrugged and went with the flow.

Carl returned and after washing his hands, they headed up to the room, Larry was reading a magazine. Joey was playing a video game. Jenny looked around. Both the other beds were empty.

"Hey, guys?"

The two men looked up and smiled. Both were clad in traditional hospital gowns.

"Jenny? You came." Larry stated through his wired together jaw.

"Of course, silly. I couldn't reach you on your cell."

"Well, we can't use them in the facility. So they have it in security."

"I guess it interferes with some of the machinery around here." Joey sat up on the side of the bed, slowly, grimacing a little. Jenny jumped when an alarm sounded.

Two staff members ran in. "Are you all right in here?" an older nurse asked quickly.

"Ah, sorry, I just wanted to sit up and visit with my friends."

"Ah, Mr. Bonner." The nurse hit the alarm to sitting mode. "We have a zero rating on our falls here. Please be careful. Call us if you wish to get up."

"So, " Jenny noted there were no chairs in the room, she sat down on the edge of Larry's bed. Carl saw Joey slide carefully and offer him a seat on his bed.

"How do you guys like it here?"

Larry sighed. "I don't. They are almost too nice. This place really gives me the creeps."

"Well, what is your phone number here so I can call you later."

"Um, Jen. We don't have phones. The TV is closed circuit and only has educational channels. We are cut off from the outside here."

Joey nodded. "I guess we really can't complain, because it is free. But it is way too clean. I was in the Physical Therapy area this morning and one of the residents sneezed." He shuddered remembering. "The staff grabbed him and removed him from the area while another sprayed down the entire place and then wiped the area he had been up with bleach." He paused. "I saw that guy later. He was wearing a mask and a yellow gown. It means to stay away."

"Wow. This place is really clean."

Larry looked at Joey and shrugged. "We really want to get out of here. The doctor said as long as Joey can make use of his fingers and dress himself and I can get around on crutches, we can get out next week."

"Good." She smiled and rubbed the man's head. "I knew my brothers would be too stubborn to let this get to them."

Larry rolled his eyes. "How is it going for you?" He paused and looked at Carl. "You two seem to be getting along."

"Um, about that, Larry. I."

"Jenny, let me speak." Carl stated quietly. He looked at these two men who returned his gaze with questions in their eyes.

"Larry, I want to marry your sister."

"You are kidding right? Jenny, tell me that guy is joking."

"He isn't joking."

"No. She is too good for you." Joey replied.

"i second that. Jenny, this guy is part of that family. I mean, come on. Why would you want to put yourself in that mess? Look what they did to us when they just thought you might date." Larry glared at Carl. "Over my dead body."

Carl sighed. "You are right. Jenny is way too good for me." Carl bent his head and grasped his hands in front of him. "I don't have a leg to stand on. None, to ask you two for your blessings." He raised his head, "But she makes me a better person. She makes me realize what I need to do."

"And what is that exactly?"

Carl returned the steady serious gaze to Larry. "To make things right."

---

The assistant chief of the Cyber Division sat very still when he saw the memo. Some one had hacked into the Federal Income Tax system and did a search on a family called Matthews. He saw the tracing chart and the pattern looked familiar. He sighed. Then he hit the keys to his computer putting the names of those who had been attacked. Scott, what the hell are you up to?

He stared at a group of eight men in a semi circle with the head of the company in a wheel chair sitting at the center of the line up. The caption read... "Meet the Board and the Head of the Matthews Toy Company".

---

The brothers left Scott asleep on the couch. They put a note on the table and went outside, climbing on their bikes to head to Rick's house. The sky seemed to become dark and ugly once they had gotten around the lake. Rick answered the door and held up a finger.

"Come in, you two. But keep it down. My guests are sleeping."

"What? You have house guests?"

"Sort of. Come  into the kitchen. I was just getting ready to make lunch."

Rick's cell vibrated. He answered. "Carl?"

"Oh. Okay. Sure. Pizza for lunch sounds fine. Come on over. Bye."

He looked at the two friends.

"What is the problem?" He was answered with silence. "Come on."

"I think what we have to tell you needs to be said out on the porch. After all, we of the Neighborhood Association have considered your proposal and wish to look at the physical layout." Dejuan said very loudly, holding up his finger to his mouth.

Rick looked at him like he was crazy.

"That's right, Mr. Richardson.  It is imperative for the association to make sure all the changes on the property meet specs."  Deshaun added as he and his brother started to go thru the kitchen very quickly and quietly.  They checked the toaster, the coffee maker, the spice cabinet, then stood back and surveyed the kitchen.  

Dejuan spoke up as he pointed to the kitchen ceiling fan that resided over the table.

"I remember when we had to site Mrs. Maguire for her overusage of garden gnome statues in her front yard."

 Deshaun got up on a chair very quietly, saying, "Yes, Mr. Richardson. We of the association want to thank you for keeping your yard up and looking so nice." He inspected the light and nodded. Rick stared hard. There sat a little black bug on the tan colored light, and it was not the six legged kind. He arched an eyebrow and said, "So you came to see what I plan to do with my garden?" He waved to them to come outside to the front porch.

to be continued.