“Hello Margret. Pleasant day today.”
“Why hello Bethanne. I supposed it is okay. I am looking optimistically towards our ‘Summer Again Retirement home’ field trip. “
“Ah, yes… yes, when is this again?”
“It is pretty soon, I suppose. The flyers are all passed about. I have reason to believe the rented out bus will be overflowing without kind.”
“This really is a big deal, isn’t it?”
“Well, it’s more important than Arnie’s death. Then again, they always try to keep us busy when one dies in this home.”
“Arnie was a good man. Many people will mourn over his passing if we do not keep them busy.”
“But he died, it’s supposed to be recognized at least by his friends, if not, his kids.”
“Arnie had no kids.”
“Arnie had no kids that visited him.”
...
“Good morning, girls,” Jill said pleasantly.
“Hello, Jill…,” Margret replied.
“Got any idea to where the field trip is to yet?”
“No,” said Bethanne.
“Ah, well, I heard old John knows,” Margret said.
“Yes, well we told him not to tell anybody so don’t you little cheaters go and ask him. Do you have any laundry you need done? My shifts over in half an hour so is you need me, don’t hesitate to ask,” Jill said with a warm smile and she left.
...
“Looks like John’s not taking Arnie’s death well…”
“No one truly is, Bethanne.”
“Go make sure he’s okay…”



“Hello, John. What is with that look on your face? You seem to be deep in thought.”
“Realization.”
Margret said nothing else for she was used to John having realizations. He suffered from memory loss and was just recently remember his younger years. Margret returned back to Bethanne.
“Well, is he okay? Did you ask him where the field trip was to?”
“No and no. He had another realization.
“Oh.”
“It’s just that face…It seems so disturbed. It’s unsetting.”
“Well, if it’s a memory, if evidently isn’t a nice one.”
“I can’t wait for the field trip, Margret.”
“Yes, I know. I heard it was so low key that even Lillian can go, that is, if they can fit her wheel chair onto the bus.”
“I’m glad everyone can be included.”
……..The next day…………
“Good morning, Lillian.
“Why hello, Bethanne. My wheel chair can fit. It feels as though it really is summer again, for my crippled fate seems to slow down when a bus has room for a wheel chair. It is turning into a left handed world.”
“I, without doubt, agree. For I am left handed and opportunities seem to be booming more in the new millennium then ever before. But, I shall go, I need to find Margret. “
...
“Hello Margret.”
“Good morning. Is the bus being stocked?
“Yes, will you ride with me?”
“Absolutely.”
...
“This is a grand adventure!” Lillian shouts.
The bus drives and the elderly recognize the street. Once they get to their destination, silent hits. First, the beginning of the bus quiets down. Then, as a domino effect, or perhaps a wave, starting from the beginning of the bus to the end, everyone becomes silent. The elderly remember the old days. The bus parks in front of a new restaurant called “Albert’s Clam fry.”
This had been where Arnie’s burger joint had been.
Someone in the crowd spoke up, “what happened to Arnie’s?”
Countless, joyful, memories start cramming the bus.
“You remember when Paul asked me to dance for the first time?”
“Remember when we went on a strike to save this place?”
“This is where I saw her for the first time...”
Horror was upon each and every elderly face. This place, where the practically grew up, was gone; replaced by a franchise. Arnie’s dad had owned it before he gave it to Arnie.
“What happened?” Margret asked, her face clearly disturbed.
“Arnie’s kids sold it to a franchise,” John replied.
“I’m sure glad he’s not here to see this…” Margret concluded.