Abbie & The Old Folks

Chapter 1 by AaronWebster AaronWebster

Miss Barnard eyed the young teenager critically: Abigail Harris was not unattractive, but she really should do something about the way she presented herself: Long thick black hair framed a typically sullen teenage face, not helped by the pair of cheap spectacles that fronted it. She was certainly not overweight, but her scruffy blue jeans did not help to emphasize her figure. And her baggy, rather immature, pink Minnie Mouse T-shirt seemed to be an attempt to conceal rather than promote the 18-year old's rather large breasts.

"Well, Abbie," Miss Barnard smiled thinly, "welcome to your first day at Bellevue Home For Retired Gentlefolk. I trust that your time with us will be a productive one."

"Thank you, Miss Barnard," said the youngster shyly, addressing her new boss as if she were a teacher - even though Abbie had left school two years ago. Miss Barnard did not disabuse her of the notion.

"Now Abbie," continued Miss Barnard, "as with most care work, the wages we pay are shockingly poor. However, you will find that many of our oldies will be more than generous with their pensions to a young girl who gives them a particularly personal service - if you see what I mean."

"Oh, but I would never..."

"Then you will probably starve, my dear. Now look, these old dears have their bed and board paid for. They are kept warm and fed often. They only have two things to spend their pensions on, ungrateful relatives, who rarely visit. And little luxuries to help make their twilight years a little more pleasurable. You could help provide the latter."

"I'm not sure what you mean."

Miss Barnard sighed:

"Abbie, you said at the interview that you had some experience in caring for an elderly relative. Yes?"

"My granddad, yes."

"And did your grandfather ever make any unreasonable requests of you?"

"Yes."

"Of a personal nature?"

"...yes."

And what did you do about those?"

"Well... I wanted him to be happy... and that."

"I think we understand each other, Abbie."

"Thank you, Miss."

Miss Barnard smiled thinly again.

"Now duties. We have some 40 rooms here, containing male and female residents. Most of these are single rooms but there are some doubles. I have here a list of certain residents that I would particularly like you to visit today. Remember, we are here to serve the needs of our 'retired gentlefolk' and as I intimated earlier, the more accommodating you can be, the more profitable your time with us shall be."

Abbie took the list from Miss Barnard, scanned it quickly and headed off to see her first resident.

Where does she go first (occupant and room no.)?

Want to support CHYOA?
Disable your Ad Blocker! Thanks :)