Agatha looked in the mirror and realized she was old. She’d outlived most of her peers, her parents, even her cat. She would never travel to Morocco or see the Alps or the Great Wall. Persepolis was forever out of reach. She wouldn’t even meet new people, unless the home care people sent a new aide, or Becky, the door dash delivery person decided to finally go back to school.
The way the world was changing. And politics. Who knew what a Democrat or Republican really meant these days. And what exactly did LGBTQIA mean and who were they? Agatha didn’t remember ever meeting a Muslim person but there was one TV channel claiming they were all a threat. She didn’t think that was true. There was stuff on the news that just didn’t make a lot of sense to Agatha. She really was an old woman.
Agatha needed a pick me up and went to make a pot of coffee. She hardly needed sleep anymore, a good cup of joe and a couple of cookies would do her well. She looked out the window at the guest house. She’d lived there for a good portion of her adult life, while she cared for her parents. When they passed, she’d moved to the “Big House.” She didn’t want the responsibility of being a landlord, so the guest house sat fully furnished, but empty of guests.
It was Becky who proposed that Agatha let the guest house out to university students. With Becky’s help, she interviewed students: A Chinese engineering student; an Iranian mathematician; a young gay couple; a Muslim woman who wore a hijab but otherwise western dress. She didn’t know how she’d possibly choose. Becky suggested possibly letting out two of the bedrooms in the “Big House” thus being able to facilitate more conversations. Agatha agreed, but only if Becky was one of the “guests” and only if Becky went back to school.
How much per month? Each applicant invariably asked, but Agatha reassured the students, so long as they were willing to share their experiences, with her and the others in the household, so they could all learn from each other. Otherwise, it was free room and board, in exchange for ideas.
— Lkai
The way the world was changing. And politics. Who knew what a Democrat or Republican really meant these days. And what exactly did LGBTQIA mean and who were they? Agatha didn’t remember ever meeting a Muslim person but there was one TV channel claiming they were all a threat. She didn’t think that was true. There was stuff on the news that just didn’t make a lot of sense to Agatha. She really was an old woman.
Agatha needed a pick me up and went to make a pot of coffee. She hardly needed sleep anymore, a good cup of joe and a couple of cookies would do her well. She looked out the window at the guest house. She’d lived there for a good portion of her adult life, while she cared for her parents. When they passed, she’d moved to the “Big House.” She didn’t want the responsibility of being a landlord, so the guest house sat fully furnished, but empty of guests.
It was Becky who proposed that Agatha let the guest house out to university students. With Becky’s help, she interviewed students: A Chinese engineering student; an Iranian mathematician; a young gay couple; a Muslim woman who wore a hijab but otherwise western dress. She didn’t know how she’d possibly choose. Becky suggested possibly letting out two of the bedrooms in the “Big House” thus being able to facilitate more conversations. Agatha agreed, but only if Becky was one of the “guests” and only if Becky went back to school.
How much per month? Each applicant invariably asked, but Agatha reassured the students, so long as they were willing to share their experiences, with her and the others in the household, so they could all learn from each other. Otherwise, it was free room and board, in exchange for ideas.
— Lkai
I don't know if I could be this brave. I have friends who are in their 30s and in their 80s but to live with me. That would be very brave, and maybe very wise.
ReplyDeleteNow there's a great plan! Could take care of housing issues and student debt. Maybe you should run for office!
ReplyDeleteSo glad "Agatha" had the resources to do this! Some don't. In her case, I'm surprised she didn't have a computer to meet people online. But she's not up-to-date with certain things... for some reason I pictured a beautiful yard and garden...and sunshine. Will someone live in the guest house now? Or has the plan been changed to just have folks in the "Big House"? ---Macoff
ReplyDeleteThe gay couple get the guest house but all share meals in the big house. Next semester, could be different group
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