The Carer & His Client

Jim had been a carer for over 10 years. He had worked with many clients that required different types of care. After a few years of experience, Jim decided that he wanted to do respite care. That is when you take those with care needs out and about. Usually to do shopping, or visit a community group or just set out on an adventure to see the countryside.

Jim's client was called "Mary". Mary was in a wheelchair and had been paralysed after an accident in her childhood. She loved to get out and about. She had a slight delay in her speech so many would just ignore her, or worse try to talk down to her. However to underestimate Mary's ability was a big mistake. Mary was smart and she could beat all of her family and friends at monopoly, grammar, all things maths and was very handy on the financial markets!

She had been brought up to save when she could and invest wisely! As a result she had studied the financial markets and had invested in stock that had returned her into a very good situation. It had enabled her to work from home and have a respite carer to see to her needs.

When Jim showed up for his first meeting with Mary, he was quite taken a back. Normally he worked with those who barely had a house, and had only been able afford a carer due to welfare programs. However when he went for the interview, Jim and Mary completely hit it off!! They shared the same sense of humour. They would talk about all of the things that they disliked in the care industry!! Mary wanted to do far more things herself! She hated being stuck in and despised even more when people didn't talk to her.

They also had a shared love for movies. Jim would take Mary to the cinema when it was quiet, during the day and see the latest blockbusters. Then they would talk all the way home whether the movie had suited their tastes or if it was rubbish! Most of the time, the movies were rubbish!

Mary really loved Jim's company and the two always talked about how they would love to go on holiday to Florida. It was their favourite place. Mary had gone there a few times during her childhood years. Jim had a family of his own. He would take his wife and children to Florida whenever he had saved up enough to do it, but he dreamt of being able to buy a villa there, so that he could go at Christmas time and treat his family to a very special festive season.

Whenever it was a miserable winter's day and it was raining, Mary and Jim would often joke, saying, "Let's get our passports and head to the airport, in 9 hours we'll be in the sunshine state!".

Mary also knew that Jim loved cars. He was obsessed with them. His driving was pretty hairy too! Mary had been used to being a passenger that was never terrified or nervous. That all changed when Jim drove her places. He had a Dodge Charger with a very loud v8 engine, which Mary was very impressed with. Even though it scared her at first, after a few weeks she was telling Jim, "Burn rubber off the lights" and race away in a cloud of smoke! Jim happily obliged!

Mary knew that Jim's birthday was coming up. She had thought about getting him something but had struggled to come up with a gift idea. Then a set of circumstances came about that she couldn't ignore. Mary had an Uncle that used to own a scrap yard. Sadly he had passed away and when Mary found out, the funeral had already taken place. So she enquired as to what was going to happen to his collection of old cars. Then she got an unexpected call.

The lawyers of her late "Uncle Joe" called to say that she had been left a gift and it involved her having to visit his old house and yard in order to receive it. So who better to take her, but Jim!

As soos as could be arranged, Mary and Jim set off on the long journey to her Uncle Joe's house. It was a 4 hour drive but both Jim and Mary were rather excited. It meant stopping on the way at their favourite restaurant. They both liked a local Chinese Buffet and were well known by the owners!

After a fairly long drive they arrived at the house of Mary's Uncle. As it was in the summer time, the days were long and it stayed light for hours. Jim and Mary had been booked into local hotel so they had plenty of time to investigate the property! When they knocked on the door, they were greeted by Uncle Joe's lawyer, "Mr Patel".

"There are 2 gifts for you from Uncle Joe". said Mr Patel. Mary knew that her Uncle Joe was a lovely family member and she was sorry that she hadn't kept up in the latter years. So Jim and Mary went into the barn that was next to the house. Mr Patel went with them and pulled off a canopy that was covering something rather remarkable. It was an off-road, electric wheelchair. Uncle Joe knew that Mary always wanted to explore the countryside. There was a letter inside an envelope addressed to Mary. It said, "This will help you to explore the countryside. Make sure to keep it charged up!! Lots of love, Uncle Joe".

Mary was very happy indeed. She became slightly teary eyed as she realised what she had been given.

However, there was no time to waste as Mr Patel said, "Mary, you and Jim can head up the field and look for the orange barn. In there is your second present!".

Jim helped Mary into her new off-road wheelchair. It was similar in function to other wheelchairs she had used, so none of the controls were unfamiliar. Jim then ran alongside Mary as she sped on up the hill and onto the grass trying to find the orange barn.

Mary had played in the old orange barn when she was young. She remembered going there when she was recouperating from her accident. It was right out in the middle of a big field with nothing around it for miles. Mary liked the quietness of its surroundings. She could be on her own which she liked whilst she adjusted to her new set of challenges. Her Uncle Joe used to come and make sure she was alright. She always was, she would simply race up and down the barn on her wheelchair and try to avoid crashing into the old cars that were parked in various places throughout the large old barn.

She also loved sitting in the old cars and pretending to drive them. There was one car, that she loved in particular. At the time it was only a few years old but Uncle Joe had put it in the barn because he wanted to give it a special paint job. It was a Datsun 280z.

Finally, Mary and Jim got to the barn. Carefully and slowly Jim opened the barn door and the setting sun poured in on some cars that were carefully covered.

Mary shouted out, "That one Jim, that one!". Jim took the covers off the first car that was at the front of the barn. There it was, a lovely Datsun 280z. It was in remarkable condition. Inside, on the driver's seat laid a small, black notebook. Inside it, was the number, $20,000. Jim couldn't see anything else in the cockpit or interior so he asked Mary, "Should I open the boot?". Mary immediately replied, "Yes". So he did and that's when the day truly took a remarkable turn!

There was a leather bag with a zip. Jim opened it in front of Mary with much anticipation. As soon as the zip was half way opened, Jim exclaimed, "Mary, there's money inside! A lot of money!!".

Indeed, there was $20,000! That was the 3rd gift they had received from Uncle Joe!

"We have two dilemas, Jim" said Mary. "The first one being, when do we go to Florida and two, how am I going to get this car back to my house!!!".

"I'm sure I can help with both" said Jim. With that they headed back and made the required arrangements to get the car back to Mary's house.

Mr Patel had a big grin when he saw Mary. He said, "I bet you're over the moon with the car!!". Mary replied, "You bet, this has been an amazing day indeed. "Good old Uncle Joe", said Mary.

"The next adventure now begins", said Jim!!

The End

Thanks for reading my story. I do hope you enjoyed it. Best Wishes. Hugh Hatrick.