After the unexpected delay with the connecting flight, I was finally in Houston. I did not have to go through the routine of customs because this was a domestic flight. I was allowed into the country by the Florida Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer. I grabbed my suitcase and walked toward the door for the outer waiting area. Like a star on Hollywood Walk of Fame, I saw my name printed on a placard. It was Mr. Nagy (his name was under the bottom as the driver).
I waved to him, so he knew I was his passenger, and he smiled his brown stained teeth, probably from years of drinking coffee or smoking or both. I wondered why his mask was hanging under his chin instead of over his nose and mouth. He wore jeans and a button-down navy blue shirt. As a chauffeur, he took the suitcase from me, and I followed him to the car parked in the parking lot.
“How was your flight?” he asked and opened the door for me.
“There was no turbulence, it was a smooth flight,” I answered and slid on the seat. I could smell the remanent of stale smoke, even through the filtered material of my mask.
“By the way, my name is Lucas. I can now put a face to your name,” he said as he looked back at me in the rearview mirror. “You are a beautiful girl.”
“Thanks. I thought that Mrs. Nagy was coming to meet me as well.” I changed the subject because I was not comfortable with where his statement would lead.
“Yeah, she was unable to come. There was an emergency at the nursing home, and she had to stay back to resolve the issue,” he explained.
“How far is the nursing home from here?” I continued not giving him a chance to reconsider his previous comment.
“We have another 35 minutes of driving.”
I talked to him about my country, COVID, and the story about how I almost missed the flight yesterday. In my opinion, he was fascinated by the knowledge of my country. Thus, my plan worked. He did not mention anything further about my beauty. I recommended he take his family to visit my beautiful homeland.
Lucas exited the freeway unto the local road, and in no time, we pulled onto a paved driveway flanked by tall trees and beautiful pink-flowered trees dotted the landscape. We emerged to a well-kept lawn/yard and a big charming house with wrap around porch. I got out of the car, took off my mask, and inhaled the fresh air as I did a 360 degrees turn-taking in the view. There were chairs and potted plants on the porch, and what looked like bird feeders hung from the eaves.
The front door opened, and a lady in a floral dress came out. She wore a frown on her face as if she was displeased with something or someone. She looked mean, but I rather leave my opinions at bay because I had been wrong before where I passed judgment on my first impression. She had sandy brown hair that swooped to the side and caressed her tanned skin. I put my mask back on and walked up the wooden steps.
“Hi, dear, I am so happy that you are here. Come on into the house. I am Mrs. Nagy.” She walked and talked. “The roommates are in the recreational room watching a movie.” No first name, I thought. “I or Carmen will introduce you to them later. She opened a bedroom door and told me to put my suitcase there, then follow her to the kitchen. I asked her to allow me to use the bathroom before I go any further. She pointed to the door, and I went in.
She stood there and waited for me. Although the house was big, I doubt I would get lost in it. This woman’s action was kind of strange. I was not a patient of hers that she needed to wait on to make sure I was alright. Anyway, we got to the kitchen, and a young lady stood by the kitchen sink.
“This is Carmen, your coworker; she will show you the operations of the home. I have to leave; we will talk tomorrow.” She walked away and out of the house without talking to me. I watched as the car drove away down the driveway. Something about that woman’s demeanor was offensive. She exuded an aura of unsophistication.
Carmen and I talked for a while as she showed me the operations of the home. I shadowed her for the rest of the evening until it was time for bed.
To be continued.
Ok, I said it!