A Time to be

 The cold winter air seemed to creep in through the windows of Shady Acres Nursing Home, leaving the residents bundling in layers of what clothes they had and any blankets that could be found. It was Christmas Eve, and most of the residents here didn't even know it, but were still aware enough to recognize a change in scenery and a special holiday meal made for them.

There was a party that afternoon in the common room, and it was a chance to get up and move around for Jackson, a man of eighty-six years who had been placed in the nursing home after being hospitalized the previous summer when he wandered off into the woods and was found two days later dehydrated and nearly at the end of his life. He was lucky that day. 

But since his time in the nursing home, all he did was long for the freedom he once had.

"I'm gettin' outta here," Jackson told his grandson every week, "Going to go back to my trailer."

"You can't, Jackson. You're here for good."

"Whatcha mean I'm here for good? And where's my truck?"

"I told you, it's been given back to the previous owner."

"But I had money tied up in that truck! Where's my money?"

"Your son got the money and used it to get back home."

"Dammit, that's MY TRUCK! Who the hell does he think he is taking my money and getting rid of my truck?"

"That's between you and him; talk to him if you want, I'm just telling you what happened."

But Jackson's grandson wasn't here this day or week. His family was sick with the flu, and he stayed behind to take care of them; besides, he couldn't risk passing it to every old person at the nursing home.

Jackson didn't even know what day or month it was. Every day was the same to him.

When the party was getting started, Jackson had a few neighbors come by his door to check in on him. He was finally starting to make friends.

"Hey Jackson, comin' to the party?" Phil peeked around the corner.

"Oh yeah, I'll be over in a little bit."

"See you there."

Jackson had a nurse come in and help dress him up in something a little special, did his hair, and then helped him to the common room. There was a big Christmas tree all decorated in lights and gold and red ornaments. The savory aroma of turkey and ham, pecan pie, and cookies filled the room. 

"Looks nice. Smells good," Jackson said. He took a seat next to Phil and some others. He ate the food slow and steady, enjoying each bite. 

"You have any family comin' to visit for Christmas, Jackson?"

"My grandson comes every week."

"That's good, that's good."

When Christmas morning came, however, it just felt like any other day. Jackson thought about his daddy; he wanted to see him. He just had to figure a way to get out of this place.

Days passed, and Jackson never seen his grandson. But he didn't even notice.

"Jackson, did your grandson come by? I didn't see anyone come see you for Christmas this week."

"Oh yeah, he was here. You know he has a son now. He's just starting to walk or talk or something."

"That's wonderful, Jackson. Have you gotten to see the baby?"

"Nah, he was born real early - they kept him away from everyone so he wouldn't get sick."

"Oh that's too bad. I hope you get to meet him one day."

"Thanks, me too."

Two weeks passed before Jackson's grandson was able to come visit. 

"Hey grandpa, sorry I couldn't come sooner - didn't want everyone up here to catch what the wife and kid had," Matt said.

"Oh. You know I been up to see daddy last week? He's doing fine."

Matt just looked at Jackson, a hint of worry and compassion in his eyes. He knew his grandpa's mind was not right, and it was just getting worse each month.

"Hey, I tell you something; I just need my wallet, do you know where it is? I think someone stole it."

"Nah, grandpa, your wallet was long gone when you were in the woods. We looked everywhere for it."

"Hell no, I could show you right where it probably fell - off in that holler I slid down - just take me there, we'll find it!"

"Uh, grandpa, you can't. Anyways, that place is probably a lot different now after all the rain and everything."

Jackson just stared off into space, then suddenly said, "You bring my truck? I wanna go back to the trailer and work on that car I had over there."

"I told you, grandpa, your truck's gone."

Jackson, for some reason, finally got it. When he heard his truck was gone this time, he got angry and Matt knew it was time to leave. There was no talking to Jackson about it.