Chapter 5
“Knock knock Mister Lawrence.”
“I am already up and ready to go.”
“Oh. Well excuse me.” Shirley said as she entered the room. “Somebody is doing better.”
“Yes I am. I want to get my shopping done early so I can go back to Ferguson this afternoon.”
“Oh, well, I do not know who will take you then Mister Lawrence. You know it’s my off day— for you at least.”
“I will see if Taylor can take me when I get back.”
“I think I can make some time to take you Mister Lawrence.”
“Shirley. You do enough for me. She will be alright.”
“That’s not it exactly. I’m watching Mister Marx today.”
“That grumpy old fool. Well, I will insist that you take me then.”
“Then who will watch Mister Marx.”
“Oh I think Taylor will be available. I don’t think she has driven me to Ferguson before anyway.”
“Good. Tell them that and I’ll be ready when you get here. Thank you Mister Lawrence.”
“No problem.”
“Hey, Mister Lawrence. Where do you think you’re going without your walking stick?”
“I don’t need that anymore. I know where things are now.”
“Oh no. Are you alright Mister Lawrence? It sounds like you’re about to let that dream get to you again. Will you be able to make it to the store safely? Should I drive you right quick?”
“Shirley. I don’t need to take… You know what. I know that you are just worried about me so I will take it.”
“Thank you. I will see you when you get back Mister Lawrence.”
______
Later outside the grocery store…
“Look at what the cat dragged in.” Vanessa said. “Whoa. Mister Lawrence. Where did that bandage around your arm come from?”
“I was hit by a lift bus the other day. Pavement scratched me up pretty good.”
“I can’t stand those drivers. They think they just own the road or something. Did it hit you in a parking lot or drive off the road or what?”
“None of those. I walked into the street.”
“You did what… You been acting real funny lately. I found out about that altercation between you and that shopper a few days ago too. Are you alright Mister Lawrence?”
“I am alright. I don’t know why everyone keeps asking me that.”
“As much as I would like to hang out with you on the walkway this morning, I can’t. I need to hurry up and go inside. I will call someone up front to help you shop after I clock in.”
“Alright. I’ll be there eventually.” Mister Lawrence said as Vanessa rushed toward the store.
“Did I hear her call you Mister Lawrence? You’re that guy that can’t like see but can see color or dreams color but… that wasn’t it. What was it again?”
“That is my name but what are you talking about. Do I know you?” Mister Lawrence said.
“Hey, it’s the guy they was talking about online last night.” Someone said as people began to crowd around Mister Lawrence.
“You see me don’t you Mister Lawrence?”
“Tell me what I look like.”
“Hey man. Look over here.”
“No. This way Mister Lawrence.”
“Hey cuz. What you did now bruh? You still ain’t swing on me first cuz.”
“Mister Lawrence. Mister Lawrence. What I look like?”
“What is going on?” Mister Lawrence thought. “Why are all these people around me? This is too much... Wait. Oh no. Oh no. Why? Oh no. How did this… I don’t notice the differences anymore. Everything is getting dark again.”
“Back off!” Security yelled.
“I wasn’t doing nothing cuz.”
“Get out my way fool. Grab my hand Mister Lawrence.” The security guard said.
“You touched me. Can you see me now?”
“Mam back off. I got you Mister Lawrence. Alright everyone, this my last warning. Back off!” The security guard shouted.
“Are they gone?” Mister Lawrence asked.
“Yeah. They all gone Mister Lawrence. I can’t believe you came here today. I thought you would have gone into hiding.”
“What are you talking about? Why would I do that?”
“There was a story on the news late last night about you seeing color in objects and other people. Everyone has been talking about it.”
“The televisions at the home cut off at ten so I heard nothing about it... Can you help me get my groceries? I don’t want anyone to surround me again. I already lost, well.”
“Lost what? Did someone take something from you?”
“No. No. Nothing was stolen. Don’t worry about it. I just need to get a few items so I can go back to the home.”
“Alright. Let’s try to make this quick.”
______
Later on at the group home…
“Can I come in Mister Lawrence?” Shirley asked.
“Sure. The door is unlocked.” Mister Lawrence said before Shirley entered.
“Mister Lawrence. I thought you wanted to go to Ferguson. Why are you in bed? Is everything okay?”
“No. I lost her Shirley. I lost everything.”
“What happened? What did you lose?”
“I can’t notice the difference between anything and the darkness.”
“You could see it then.”
“See what?”
“I just saw the news story about how you can see color Mister Lawrence. Why didn’t you say that earlier? I know what color is. Why do you keep saying things stand out from the darkness?”
“I can’t see color. I have no idea what color looks like.”
“That’s not what the news story said. Isn’t that what they told you at Ferguson? That you can see color.”
“They told me that it seems like I am but they could not come to that conclusion.”
“Well we need to go there and see what happened. Are you ready?”
“Hold on Shirley. I need to try and find my mom again. I will be out soon.”
_______
Later at Ferguson…
“Wait. Why are you two here? His next appointment isn’t for another, let me just check right quick, two weeks.”
“I know that Misty. We came to speak to the eye doctor that was telling all those lies about Mister Lawrence.” Shirley said.
“What lies?” Misty asked.
“About him seeing color. You know from the news story last night. That was not fair to him.”
“I haven’t seen the news in a while. It’s hard enough keeping up with what goes on around here. Hold on. I will call her.”
{Hello}
“Hey Chrystal. Mister Lawrence and Shirley are here to speak with you.”
{Oh good. I should have told you that I was expecting them today. Well. Did something new happen in Mister Lawrence’s dream. That’s what they’re here for.}
“That’s not what they told me. They said something about a news story. Hold on Chrystal.
“What about the story again Shirley mam?”
“We need to speak to her about what she told that reporter on the news.” Shirley said.
“Did you hear that?” Misty asked.
{No. What did they want?}
“They wanted to know what you said to the reporter.” Misty said.
{I forgot to watch the news last night. I basically told the reporter the same thing I told Mister Lawrence during his visit.}
“She said that she told the reporter the same thing she said to Mister Lawrence. The reporter must have changed her wording around in his notes. You know how they do things. Exaggerate what actually happened to get a story to go viral.” Misty said.
{So he changed my words around to make his story more interesting. Really. I can’t believe he would do something like that. Send them to my office please. I want to apologize for what happened.}
“The reporter was the one that messed up.” Misty s
aid.
{It’s the least I can do. That reporter wouldn’t have known about Mister Lawrence if I did not open my big mouth…}
“Really. No bye or anything. Well, Chrystal would like both of you to visit her office.”
“Can you take us? Mister Lawrence told me how confusing it is back there. It seems like we wouldn’t even make it through if both of us had sight.”
“Alright. I will show you both to her office.” Misty said.
“Thank you.” Shirley said as they followed Misty through the doorway.
“Her office is one of the closest ones to the front… See that. We’re already here.” Misty said before she returned to the reception area.
“Hey there Mister Lawrence. You must be Shirley. Please come in.” Chrystal said.
“We heard over the phone how the reporter must have changed your words in his report. That must make you real angry.” Shirley said.
“I’m sorry to tell you this but he did not change anything.”
“You told him that I can see color. You said that you couldn’t come to that conclusion.” Mister Lawrence said.
“I know that’s what I told you and I apologize. I couldn’t let Darryl know about how I believe you can see color. If anyone here found out that I said a man with no light perception could see color then that would ruin my credibility as an ophthalmologist. It was hard enough getting this position with that name of mine. There’s no way I can have anyone question my credentials. I got carried away during the interview and accidentally told the reporter that I believe you can see color. I spoke to him after the interview and said that I misspoke— he ran with it anyway. So again, I apologize Mister Lawrence. I cannot imagine how much trouble this has caused you.”
“I was swarmed outside the grocery store this morning and I lost my ability to… I guess, see color if you really think that’s what I’m noticing.”
“I truly believe that Mister Lawrence. Why else would I want to know about how your dreams are progressing? I wanted to help you describe your mother in full color or at least to the best of my ability. It is so touching how your brain is basically reconstructing color in your mind so you can remember what your mom looks like. It saddens me that you lost your ability to see the color in things. Has this happened before or is this new?”
“This happened when I went to the flea market a few days ago. There were so many people around us that everything went dark.”
“Yeah. Would you believe it if I told you he lost me in the crowd? Look at me. How could you lose this?”
“How long did it take for you to start seeing color again?” Chrystal asked.
“It wasn’t until… I know. It was later on that day. A boy ran into a table at this yard sale across the street.” Mister Lawrence said.
“You walked into a table in your dream. That must have triggered your mind into regaining the ability to see color. I have an appointment scheduled in a few. My last one for the day. Here is my number. Please call me at any time. I will try my best to get back with you as soon as possible.”
“I will call tomorrow if anything changes.” Mister Lawrence said before they left.
“I know there’s a table somewhere ahead, but where. Ouch... I thought that I was going to completely see what you looked like mom. I don’t want to die without knowing… Who am I kidding? I may never see you…”
Postlude
“You have any good news this morning Mister Lawrence?” Shirley said outside his door. “Are you awake Mister Lawrence? Your door is locked. Is everything alright? Mister Lawrence. Please answer me. Mister… oh.”
“I lock my door once and you go into full panic mode. How many times do I… Hold on. I’m sorry Shirley. Please come in.”
“Sorry about that Mister Lawrence. You know I worry. Well. What happened in your dream? Did you have the dream again?”
“I did but I couldn’t see any color at all. Just the usual darkness.”
“Let’s call Chrystal and see what could be the problem.” Shirley said.
“I don’t want to bother her.”
“She said that she wanted to help. Stop being so stubborn.”
“Alright Shirley. Call her for me please.”
{Hello}
“Yes. This is Shirley and Mister Lawrence from yesterday. You are on speaker.”
{Oh yeah. So. What happened in your dream Mister Lawrence?}
“I couldn’t notice the differences between anything and the darkness.”
{Don’t you mean the color?}
“No. Thank you for all your help but I don’t think I should see color anymore. That may be what’s best. The last time I was around a large crowd I couldn’t even cope. That has never happened to me before. I wish that I could have seen what my mom completely looked like but maybe it just wasn’t meant to be.”
{Mister Lawrence. Please don’t give up. You know how I didn’t want anyone to know that I believe you can see color.}
“Yes. I remember.”
{I stopped telling people that the reporter lied and told everyone what I truly believe. This became a big deal on my social media page. It may affect my business, in that, I might not receive any new appointments for the time being; many of my regular clients that were online have joined me in believing that you can see color. We believe in you Mister Lawrence. Even if you don’t try to see color for us, do it for your mom. I don’t know what will trigger your mind into seeing color again but do not let anything hold you back. Alright, I have to get ready for work.}
“Alright. We will talk to you later.” Shirley said.
{Goodbye.}
“Bye...
“See there Mister Lawrence. That was helpful.” Shirley said.
“Exactly what I was thinking. Well. Where do you want to go?”
“Where do what? You want to go somewhere. Right Now?”
“Of course I do Shirley. I didn’t get any color back until you dragged… took me to that yard sale.”
“I have a place in mind. Let’s go.”
“Where are we going?”
“Don’t worry about it Mister Lawrence. Just know that you are in for a treat. Grab your walking stick and come on.” Shirley said before she grabbed Mister Lawrence’s hand and rushing him toward the front door.
“Shirley. Why are you running?”
“I am just excited about where we’re going. Keep up now.”
“We already outside. Shirley. You know I have to watch out for that trick step...”
“Oh no. Are you alright Mister Lawrence? I almost made you fall. Maybe I should not have been rushing you. Mister Lawrence. Why are you holding your arm out toward the ground? What is down there? Oh, I made you drop your walking stick. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean... Why are you still holding your arm out Mister Lawrence and why are you not moving…? Was that a tear falling? Oh my. I’m sorry. I am so sorry for this Mister Lawrence. I just got carried away. Please forgive me. Do you want to go back inside?”
“No. There’s no other place I would rather be than right here.”
Are You Alright Mister Lawrence? Page 6