Rubber Soul by Greg Kihn

Author:Greg Kihn
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Open Road Media

Chapter Nineteen

Winston Dingle

The lights of Liverpool still reflected off the Mersey River. Dawn at the docks was a special time. Bobby loved the Pier Head at this hour. It was the time adventures began. People had been leaving on ships from this site for centuries. Bobby wondered how many lives had changed forever once they left this dock.

He walked alone. Walking eased the constant anxiety Bobby felt. He had to make life changing decisions in a short amount of time. Bobby knew what he had to do.

Later that morning Mrs. Swithins came to the shop to make Bobby some breakfast.

“Beans and toast, La. Best thing for ya.”

While Mrs. Swithins busied herself at the tiny stove in the back of the shop, Bobby looked through the mail. Overdue notices jumped out at him.

“Dad’s got quite a bit of debt here.”

“Your father is no businessman, La. Not much of a chippie, if ya know what I mean. He was like my Joe. A good soul who suffered life’s great indignities with a cheerful quip and a sly smile. Never a cross word. Never had no enemies. Then when they get the short end what happens? The bloody hand of fate reaches in and grabs yer arse. Really annoying, that is.”

Bobby snorted. “He may have no enemies, but he certainly has a lot of creditors.”

Mrs. Swithins wrestled a huge cast iron frying pan across the tiny gas burners.

“It’s all gin and oranges to me. Here, La, come sit down and have a cuppa.”

Bobby found Mrs. Swithins’ mothering a comfort. He knew she was tough and smart and he admired that. She’d outlived all her friends, relatives, and husbands. She’ll probably outlive us all, Bobby thought.

Mrs. Swithins patted Bobby’s hand.

“Is it bad?”

Bobby nodded.

Mrs. Swithins aged face showed great compassion.

“Gonna have to sell the shop, La? A bloody shame, that is.”

“I’m afraid so. Mick’s dead and Clive’s in prison. Dad’s out of it, so I’m gonna have to deal with it.”

“You just do what you think is right, La.”

Bobby smiled weakly. “OK.”

“I suppose it’s off to a home for the senior Mr. Dingle, then?”

“A nice home with a garden if possible.”

Mrs. Swithins nodded. “I know just the place. My sister Dorothy lives there. It’s not far. I’ll show you today if you like.”

“Mrs. Swithins, you are an angel.”

“Oh, please. I done worse than you’ll ever know. Eat your beans and toast.”

Bobby did as he was told. Later that day he toured the home that Mrs. Swithins had recommended. He found it clean and quiet; perfect for his father. He went to the hospital and filled out paperwork for the rest of the day. Tomorrow his father would have a new home.

He visited his father’s room to talk and wished he could get a response. His father never moved, except to occasionally open one eye and stare at him. Bobby patiently explained everything to him. Eventually, the eye closed and Bobby left the room.

Bobby visited a realtor’s office in Liverpool and listed the property his father had owned for fifty years.

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