“There’s someone I want you to introduce you to.”
“Awesome. Where we headed?”
“Paula’s Pit Barbecue.”
“They have the best potato salad,” he says happily. I make a mental note to remember. The feeding and care of Christian Mitcham is my sacred duty.
I realize when we pull into Saint Ann’s, both of us loaded down with contraband barbecue, that I might want to be a little subtler when breaking the nursing home rules. This time the woman at the front desk recognizes me, and only Chris has to produce his ID in order to get a visitor’s badge. We hide the bags of food behind the counter, even though the whole lobby smells like a barbecue joint. As soon as they hand us the passes, we head for the elevator before they can call us back.
Upstairs, I find Uncle Theo in his room, sitting in a recliner watching what appears to be a Netflix original, and I wonder who set him up with the account and password, since I’m not sure he could navigate that sort of thing on his own.
“Uncle Theo,” I call from the hallway where the door is slightly open. “Can we come in?”
“Who’s that?” he asks, neck straining, and points at Chris.
“It’s my boyfriend Chris.” I step aside so Chris can pass in front of me.
“Who?” Uncle Theo stands as if to get a better look.
“Hi, Captain Wooten.” Chris walks up to him and holds out his hand while I set the food on a small dining table. “I’m Chris. Nice to meet you.”
“I know you,” my uncle says stubbornly while grabbing on to Chris’s outstretched hand. “Adam?”
Chris glances over at me with a questioning look, and I shrug my shoulders like, go with it.
“We brought food,” I tell him. “Barbecue like the last time. You hungry?”
Uncle Theo makes his way over to the table using an aluminum cane for support. I’ve never seen it before now, so maybe he just uses it when he’s alone in his room. He glances sideways at Chris like Chris might steal something while his back is turned. He’s probably not used to having strangers in his apartment.
I check out his digs. Uncle Theo’s suite is larger and homier than what I expected. The walls are painted a buttercup yellow with pictures hanging on the walls. There’s an adjoining bathroom that looks a little more hospital-like with all the old people add-ons. There’s also a bedroom where his Navy memorabilia and old family photographs are on display. After a quick survey, I start unpacking the food. Chris sits across the table from Uncle Theo, and the staring contest continues. Chris keeps glancing over at me for a sign, while Uncle Theo studies Chris like he’s trying to memorize his face.
I present the food to my uncle, but he doesn’t even acknowledge it.
“I like your place,” Chris says, perhaps trying to put him at ease.
“What are you doing here?” Uncle Theo asks earnestly. He seems confused and a little upset. His mouth pulls down into a frown.
“Do you want me to leave?” Chris glances between the food and the door. Leaving barbecue on the table would be a near impossible feat for Chris.
“No,” my uncle barks. “You stay right there,Adam.”
Chris nods, and because he can’t control himself around food, starts digging into our lunch. I eye the two of them, trying to read the situation. Uncle Theo’s still not eating, just staring at Chris with a mixture of disbelief and suspicion.
“Uncle Theo, what’s up?” Maybe this is something he needs to get off his chest.
“It’s Adam,” he says plaintively and points at Chris.
“Are you sure? He’s pretty young. Looks more like Chris, my next-door neighbor. Maybe he reminds you of someone else?”
Uncle Theo’s mouth moves but nothing comes out. I notice he’s trembling. His eyes squeeze shut, and he shakes his head. Then he starts making the most terrible moaning noises.
I scoot my chair over to him and lay a hand on his shoulder. “Uncle Theo, what’s wrong?”
“Adam, Adam….” He moans the name over and over again, more pitiful each time. It hurts my heart to hear him so distraught. Chris sets down his sandwich. His eyebrows pull together, and he too looks upset by it.
“Wait here with him,” I tell Chris and jump up to find Gloria. I ask the floor receptionist for her, and she makes a call. A minute later I see Gloria come out of another resident’s room, and I meet her halfway down the hallway.
“I think we upset him,” I tell her. “I brought my friend with me, and he called him Adam and started crying.”
