Okay, as I stated in my journal at the beginning of the month, I am going to try to start uploading writing every so often. I must admit, I'm extremely nervous and borderline scared of doing so, but if I don't bite the bullet so to speak I'll never do it. So here we go, my first story submission. The first one I'm uploading is one that I wrote in my beginning years of college. It actually got published in the student journal for that year. There are some areas where I feel it could be touched up, but I figured I'd upload it as it was originally published for now.

Please let me know what you think. Any thoughts and constructive critiquing would be appreciated. This was written some time ago, so it doesn't reflect my writing as it is today, so hopefully I'll be able to upload some current stuff soon.

I also put the story in the description for those who find that easier.

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The day I started working at the nursing home was one of the most, well, interesting days of my life. I had no real training or experience with caregiving so it confused me as to why I was picked for the job. The other workers kept talking about how I was going to make a difference and how I was the perfect one for the job. I didn’t know if they were teasing me or if they meant what they said, but I just accepted my new responsibility and hoped for the best.

I was taken to visit some of the residents that day. I was told by the other workers that they are usually unhappy, and I couldn’t blame them. They had to stay here, away from their families, and have others need to take care of them. Being a bit of a proud character myself, I could see that that could hurt them emotionally.

It surprised me that, upon entering most of the rooms, the residents suddenly changed. They would look at me as I stepped into the room and smile. These people, who I was told were quite unhappy, seemed to be filled with happiness while I was around; a happiness that probably had not been felt in some time. They would say hello to me, still smiling, and ask me to come to them. I was a bit nervous at first, but eventually I started to walk over to some of the elderly ladies and men I was introduced to. You should have seen how their faces beamed.

One man in particular, Mr. Giovanni, I think they called him, needed my help the most. Through conversations of the other caretakers that I overheard, I learned that the man had been living at the home for quite some time. I also learned that he had been fighting with health problems for the past few months and that he was not expected to last much longer.

I was taken to his room and I saw that Mr. Giovanni was in bad condition. He looked weaker than any other person I had been with that day.

“Good afternoon.” The nurse who escorted my to his room said to him. “I thought you could use some sunshine in your life, Mr. Giovanni. That is why I brought Abigail.” She motioned to me as she said that. “I think that she will be able to help you in ways that we other nurses cannot.”

She stayed in the room as I walked toward the elderly man’s bed. His face forced a weak smile and I saw joy within his eyes, hidden under his tired, feeble exterior. They glowed with a happiness that I knew I could only see. I sat upon his bed with him and at that moment I could feel his joy. It was amazing. This man, possibly days away from death, was enjoying my presence.

I touched his arm gently and he gave a weak chuckle. I remember him saying that he used to have someone in his family who was similar to me. He struggled to lift one of his arms, placing his hand on my head and gently stroking my hair. I showed him my contentment, trying to tell him that I was here to ease his pain and comfort him.

Day after day, I was brought to Mr. Giovanni’s room, where I sat upon his bed with him and he would smile. He eventually began talking to me, telling me about his childhood. He mentioned a lot of individuals like me and how he would love playing with them and taking care of them when they were in need. I listened without saying a word.

One night, when it was time for me to leave, he asked the nurse if I could stay with him through the night. The nurse was hesitant at first, but eventually decided that I could stay. Mr. Giovanni eventually went to sleep, but I remained with him the entire night. This man clearly liked me, and I brought him happiness in this depressing time.

Late that night, I must have dozed off because I was awoken by someone touching me. I opened my eyes to see Mr. Giovanni, stroking my hair as he had done many times before. Something was different though. His movements felt weaker and slower. I looked at him, his eyes still closed, but from weakness rather than sleep. He kept stroking my hair, his hand growing slower and slower with each passing second. I knew what was coming. I could sense it.

“Thank you for your assistance.” He said weakly. Though only a few words, I knew that they meant a lot more. I knew there was much more he wanted to say. I had made the last few days of his life enjoyable, taking his mind off his gradual deterioration. After those words were said, I heard him take one last deep breath. After that, his hand grew limp. I nudged him, just because I couldn’t believe that the man I had devoted my time to for these last few days was gone.

That morning, I was taken out of Mr. Giovanni’s room as the other workers proceeded to remove him. I was sad to leave him. I felt as if we had formed a bond with each other, but now it was gone.

I overheard the nurses talking as I was taking a rest in the lounge. It made me feel better after hearing what they had to say. I knew that I had done my job right.

“Mr. Giovanni must have left this world with a smile.”

“I heard Abigail was with him when he died.”

“Yes. She stayed with him all night. Those two were almost inseparable. He loved that little kitten.”