The Elevator Ride Down

The Elevator Ride Down



My son and daughter, Dylan and Rebecca, run for the elevator as my wife, Rachel and I lock the door of our apartment.

“Thank you for canceling your golf date and taking us to the ball game.” Rachel says as we walk along the corridor.

“No problem” I say lying. It is a beautiful spring day, sunny and warm, and I was looking forward to a golf day out on Long Island with my friends. Rachel played the guilt game with me and won.

We catch up with our children as the elevator stops on our floor. The door opens.

“Will you please stop! You’ve been complaining about this for fifty years. Do you know that.” Harold, a gray haired grandfather figure says from inside the elevator. Wearing a tan corduroy jacket, plaid pants and flannel shirt, he looks out of place in today’s society.

“You have not taken me anywhere for thirty years so there. For once I ask you to take me to a movie and all you do is complain.” Gertrude his wife says in response. The woman wearing a flowery print housedress and a blue knit sweater stands with a cane.

My wife and I hear the bickering as we enter the elevator and move to the back pressing against the wall. Our two children are standing in front of us. The elevator door closes and we begin to descend.

20, 19, 18…

“Why do you want to go out today anyway? I had other plans.” Harold whines looking up following the numbers as the elevator travels towards the lobby.

“Because if I don’t force you, we would never go anywhere.” The old woman yells back. “For fifty years all you do is come home, flop into your chair and stare at the television. Me, I have to clean the apartment and cook. We never go out” Turning, she smiles to my wife who quickly looks away.

“I worked hard to put food on the table, put a roof over our heads. I deserve to rest and all you do is nag, the same thing over and over.” Harold says.

I try not to look towards the couple. I put my hand on Dylan’s shoulder as he looks towards the gentleman. My wife, looking to Dylan, smiles. He says nothing for now. Thank God, Rebecca keeps to herself cuddling her doll.

17, 16, 15…

The elevator continues descending but it seems to take forever. I watch the numbers light up as we pass each floor. Harold could be anyone’s grandfather with wrinkles carved in his face. His fingers bent from years of hard work; his glasses are much too big for his face with lenses thick as coke bottles. His wife, a stout woman, stands along side clutching her cane and pocketbook with both hands. She wears a plain gold wedding ring on her left hand embedded in the flesh of her finger.

Dylan could not contain himself any longer. “Hello sir, we’re going to the baseball game. Where are you going?”

“Oh Dylan, there is no need to bother the nice people now.” My wife says smiling giving a quick glance towards the elderly man.

“I’m being dragged to a movie, son.” Harold says.

“Dragged, this is the first time you have taken me out in thirty years.” Gertrude says. Turning her head towards me, “It is good that you take your family out and do things together. Lord knows Harold never did anything like that.”

Saying nothing, I smile towards her.

“Ah, I know, I know, you have been complaining about this for fifty years already.” Harold flips his hand towards his wife in disgust.

14, 13, 12…

“For fifty two years we have been married. Harold and I have our two boys. He never took them to a baseball game.”

“Fifty two years, that’s lovely.” My wife says. I give her a quick look of discomfort, than quickly look back down to my son. My wife smiles.

“Lovely, it’s pure torture.” Harold says. Gertrude gives him a burning stare.

Harold sighs as he watches the numbers atop the elevator door. Dylan begins to poke Rebecca and all eyes in the elevator turn to the children. A smile comes across Gertrude’s face.

“How old are you, dear?” Gertrude asks my daughter.

“I’m seven years old.” Rebecca replies.

“Oh, how wonderful.”

11, 10, 9…

The elevator stops on the eighth floor and a woman in a business suit enters and quickly glances at the occupants. Her self-confidence and composure add to her beauty. Harold appraises her from her head to her toes. The woman, noticing his wandering eyes, looks to him and smiles. Gertrude pokes her husband in his ribs.

“How dare you stare at this lovely woman, me standing right next to you.” Gertrude says.

“I’m looking at a pretty lady. What else have I got left that I can do or do you want to take that from me too?” Harold says as Gertrude rolls her eyes.

“You embarrass me and right in front of the children now. Apologize to the pretty lady. I’m sorry for my husband’s indiscretions, miss; he is just an old fool.”

“It’s quite alright,” the woman says and turns, looking into the elevator’s console, the words written under the red button “Push in case of emergency”.

“Old fool, ha, besides, she’s a pretty lady, she is used to people noticing her. I don’t have to apologize.” Harold says.

My wife and I discretely look to each other smiling in embarrassment. The elevator seems to take forever to get down to the lobby. Rebecca, standing quietly, plays with her doll but Dylan remains figgidy. He continues to study the older couple.

“What game are you going to see, son?” Harold asks.

“We’re going to a Mets game.” Dylan replies.

“I should be home in my chair watching that game instead you drag me to some movie.” Harold says yelling to his wife.

“You’ve watched enough games, don’t worry.”

7, 6, 5…

My heart drops when the elevator begins to stop on the fourth floor. All I can think about is getting out of the elevator and get to the subway. My wife sensing my apprehension clutches my hand with a smile. Her eyes say, “Relax, it’s alright.” A young couple enters the elevator, rings pierced in their ears and noses, hair died black, tattoos on their arms. They tightly hold each other about the waist and remain that way as the elevator doors close. Harold stares at the young couple but says nothing.

“S’up” the young man says looking towards Harold.

“What.” Harold replies.

“S’up” the young man answers a little louder.

“I don’t understand what you are saying, young man” Harold says.

“What is up?” he says very clearly.

The businesswoman quickly glances over to them. I keep my eyes towards my son, not making eye contact.

“Hopefully, if we ever get down to the lobby, the sun will still be up.” Harold simply replies. Gertrude rolls her eyes again.

The two young people look towards him and smile. “Cool.”

Harold smiles to them. “Gertrude, do you remember when we were very much in love like them?”

The two young lovers now stare into the elevator door.

“Oh stop, Harold” Gertrude giggles, her hand over her mouth.

Except for the music, it is quiet in the elevator as everyone patiently waits. Harold watches the numbers descend, Gertrude stares straight ahead, the businesswoman looks into the console, the young couple, still with their arms around each other’s waist, stare at their reflection in the door, and my wife and I look down at our children.

The elevator finally reaches the lobby. The two young lovers are first to exit attached at the hip. They slowly walk through the lobby each step in unison. The woman rushes past them, standing tall, walking briskly as she goes about her business. Dylan moves to the door and pushes his back against the jam keeping the door open. Gertrude and Harold leave next.

“Enjoy the game son.” Harold says, patting Dylan on the head, Gertrude smiles.

My wife and I watch the elderly couple hobble away. Harold’s legs are slightly bowed and Gertrude leans heavily on her cane. They both stop halfway to the door. Gertrude puts her cane into her right hand and grabs hold of Harold’s elbow. He turns towards her and without hesitation, kisses her cheek. They slowly walk to the exit.

“Come on, let’s go.” Dylan says as he pulls my arm.

Rebecca and Dylan walk towards the glass doors of the building. My wife slips her arm into mine. She turns to me looking into my eyes. She leans over and kisses me softly on my lips.

“I love you.” She rests her head on my shoulder.

As we walk, I pull her close to me, “I love you too.”