Gettin' Hot in Here

Twas another eerily quiet calm before the storm type weekend over here.

Then, along about 6 p.m., hearing a dog sounding like it was in pain, I got up from my perch on the couch and saw one of the wheelchair residents literally hauling arse down the walkway while holding onto her dog’s leash.

I don’t think the dog was accustomed to moving as fast as she was going, because he was letting out squeals of protest.

When I saw her turn into the entry way to Red Lights' unit, I went back to watching whatever TV program I was viewing, figuring she’d just come to discuss next Friday’s party with Red Light — a surprise birthday party the two are planning for the Baker at bingo.

I know about this party, and who the planners are because, after Friday’s bingo, this particular wheelchair lady approached me, asked if I’d like to donate cash for the party.

Of course, I did and I did.

So, anyway, shortly after I’d gone back to what I was doing before hearing the dog protesting the pace, my cellphone rang.

It was Red Light.

"I just had a visitor" said she.

Oh, did you now.

"It was ____ (wheelchair lady) and she is PISSED".

Thus, the road rage pace.

The story is Wheelchair Lady (WL), while walking her dog (at a normal pace I assume), saw cars parked all over the front parking area and an event going on inside the Community Room.

This disturbed WL because, when she and others have recently asked to book the room for a private event — which used to be allowed for residents, at a fee, to celebrate anniversaries with family members and friends in attendance, birthdays, et.al., they’d been told that could no longer permitted because of the pandemic and resultant variants.

So, she’s seeing this party going on, gets mad, starts taking pictures to confront the office with our being told no.

All of sudden someone comes storming out, "WHY ARE YOU TAKING PICTURES?!!!"

It was Head Maintenance Guy (HMG).

"You should have seen his face" said WL in describing the scene to Red Light.

I suppose that meant he was angry.

Seeing it was staff having an event only served to make WL even angrier. "WHY IS IT OKAY FOR YOU TO HAVE A PARTY BUT NOT US?!!!" she yelled back.

HMG didn’t expect her to come at him that way, with logic and matching his tone, because his response was "Talk to the Manager" and he went back inside.

You can bet she will.

Some of these old people are stronger than others.

It will probably end in more double talk, but wheelchair lady has photographic evidence and she’s pissed.

Knowing how vindictive management can be, I’ll not be surprised if this doesn’t come back on ALL of us in some kind of way ─ a notice posted to our doors perhaps stating this is private property, no photo taking allowed; but I suggested next time staff has a party, an alert should go out and all us seniors should go out front, sit and watch.

With temperatures soring this week ─ it’s expected to be 106˚ by Thursday (the power company better not do a flex alert and shut our A/C down), and tempers flaring ─ management being rude/disrespectful, and seniors getting fed up with management doing whatever the hell they please at the expense of residents, it’s gettin' hot up in here.

Something is bound to give.

If I didn't have a workout on my schedule for tomorrow morning, I'd go sit in the Community Room, with a bowl of popcorn and cup of coffee, wait to see/hear the fireworks.

Stay tuned.