home

I am at home right now, but in four hours I will be at the home of an 80 year old man. My job is simple - keep him company, keep the house clean, fetch his insulin and food. And I get paid.

I sleep there, fitfully.

After two days it is already stressful. Not staying with him, but getting home and finding my responsibilities waiting. The "home time" lasts from 9 AM to 5 PM. Eight hours. Time enough, one would think, but I miss Lisa. It doesn't really hit me until I see her, but then I get teary-eyed. Even now it is difficult to keep my composure.

Leaving her overnight, every day for a month (maybe two), worries me. There is so much for me to do on a moment's notice whenever I am here. I don't even like going shopping for very long. Yet I am spending sixteen hours away from home. We need the money, but ... well. We need the money and that is all there is to it.

So far, Lisa has driven me there and back. That's about twenty-five miles twice a day. Tomorrow morning, Frank has a blood test scheduled in town and will bring me home. After that I will get a bus pass. The bus will take me to within a couple of miles of his house. I will worry less when Lisa doesn't have to drive at all.