We talked about the videos while making our way to the home improvement store.
Once we arrived we quickly found the aluminum plates we needed. We found the thing we needed for like $35.
We paid and made our way back.
When we arrived back at the warehouse Layla quickly patched up the holes. The patch is cheap, but remember this is supposed to be a cheap car for someone to pick up.
Once Layla finished she bolted everything back on and put everything back together. When she was done we drove the truck to the grocery store to get a crate of beer and a bottle of whiskey.
From there we drove to Clyde's house.
Clyde's house was in rough shape, it looked like it was falling down. The house was a southern country farm house, what should have been a picturesque house in an idyllic wooded grove, was a sad house forgotten by the world.
The paint was all but completely peeled off, the wood siding was a sundried and weathered grey. Some of the siding boards were missing showing the insulation that lay behind. The roof clearly had a few holes, it really seemed like no one lived here, or had lived here for at least 2 decades.
But, there was a light on, which said otherwise.
We walked up to the door, I was holding a crate of beer while Layla was holding the whiskey. So, Layla knocked.
There was no answer, Layla knocked harder.
This time there was an answer: a shout came from inside, "It's open."
We glanced at each other and then opened the door to see a hoarder's heaven.
There were boxes and random clutter everywhere.
We stepped around what we could and stepped over what we couldn't. We followed a path that led to the living room where we saw a chunky old man sitting in a recliner with his feet up. One of which was bandaged.
The old man spoke first, "You must be Erik's nephew, real quick on getting to work, huh? You only just called."
I respond, "Well, it's more like she is the one eager to work, than me."
Clyde said, "Well aint that a thang. It looks like you got the beer, plant it right here next to me."
I said, "Ok." while placing the beer next to the recliner.
Layla stepped forward, presenting the bottle and said, "We also got you this as a thank you."
Clyde said, "Ho! Whiskey! Now I'm in for a good time!" while reaching for the bottle.
Once Clyde got his hands on the bottle he popped it open and took a long whiff.
I then said, "Clyde, man, are you going to be ok staying here? I mean you have a hurt foot and it doesn't seem easy to move around."
Clyde looked at me for a moment before saying, "Look kid, I appreciate the concern. But, I have both lung and liver cancer, plus I'm well into my 80s. The only thing I live for is to drink, smoke, and gamble away what I have. I'm ready to kick the bucket any time now."
Layla then spoke up, "You don't have any kids?"
Clyde responded, "Naw, I had a few hunnies when I was younger, but none ever stuck around."
Layla spoke again, "But, you really don't have anything to live for?"
Clyde said, "Look, it's not like I'm looking to die. I want to live just like anyone else, but I have lived a good enough life. I just don't really have an attachment to life. Now take the keys and get out. You're ruining the taste of the alcohol."
I said simply, "Ok, cool. Thanks again Clyde. I'll stop by with more beer some other time."
Clyde hollered, "Sure thing kid!"
With that I left and grabbed the keys off of the hook by the door on the way out.
Once we were back in the car Layla seemed a little dissatisfied saying, "Why are you being so chill about this?"
"About what?"
"Clyde. He is just rotting away inside. We have to do something."
"Like what? Force him to do something he doesn't want to do? Who are we to even do that?"
"I don't know? But, something."
"I think you have a bit more of your parents in you than you think."
"Huh? What's that supposed to mean?"
"Just that. People from The Church have the habit of doing what they think is right without thinking about what the person themselves thinks. What you have to realize is that every person has to make their own choices in life. Even if it is something you disagree with. It is their life to live and their path to follow. It is not up to us to decide for them."
"Sigh… You're right. It's frustrating, but you're right. It's not my place to decide what is best for a literal stranger. Sorry, I don't really know what came over me. I didn't think I was like that."
"It's ok. I mean, it is natural to want to help someone who clearly needs it."
"Thanks, that makes me feel better."
"Sure, now let's get to painting this thing. I'm sure it's going to take a while."
And take a while, it did.
When we got to the shop it was a mess inside, we spent some time cleaning and finding the tools that were scattered all around.
The next thing that took awhile was cleaning the car and wiping it dry. We found that the shop had a heat lamp setup so that helped with the drying.
After that came masking the car. Which means use tape and plastic to cover the things you don't want to get painted.
Once we were done masking the car it was late and I ordered food to be delivered, I got us burgers.
I get burgers with everything on them. I like tasting food as the chef designed. Layla a little less so, she doesn't like raw onions. Which I think is funny because some of her favorite food has raw onion.
She simply said that if she can't taste it then it doesn't have it.
We ate while taking a short break.