All in a Day's Work Part 1 Wednesday, October 13, 2004
Today I went to work. At work, I performed many tasks that are quite normal for any office manager of an apartment complex. I typed. I ordered supplies. I even played a few rounds of Solitaire on the computer. Then, at 5:45pm I went home. At 6:02 the girl in the office “Nexteled” me and asked me to come back to work for she had a family emergency. At 6:08 I was back at work.
At 6:12 one of our long-term residents came into the office and asked me if I could do her a favor. I said sure and asked her what I could do for her.
Well, she proceeded to explain to me about her friend in Apartment AA5 and how she didn’t pick up today’s newspaper and how her balcony door is open. She explained that her blinds haven’t moved since yesterday. Then she asked if I could call her to see if she’s ok. So I said sure and gave her a quick call.
No answer.
I decided that I would go over to her apartment and knock on the door.
No answer.
I rang the doorbell.
No answer.
I reached for my master key. Stuck the key in. Turned the key and heard, “click.” The door was unlocked. I turned the handle, pressed my shoulder against the door, and nothing happened. The dead bolt was on. In the apartments, we have no access when the bolt is on. It can not be unlocked with a key from the outside.
I walked back to the office and paced the floor. I reached for the rolo-cards and proceeded to call the emergency contact. I spoke briefly with him and told him I was having a hard time getting into the apartment but was trying. He thanked me and said he was on his way and that it was an hour drive. Please call him when you find out what is happening.
I then “Nexteled” the on-call maintenance.
No answer.
I then called maintenance on sight but not on call.
No answer.
I was then lost. I couldn’t think what else to do. I then grabbed a step stool and carried it to the balcony. My only thought was if I could at least reach the balcony maybe I would have enough strength to pull myself up. As I walked up to the apartments I noticed that between her balcony and her neighbors there was a roof. A quite steep and tall roof. I ran back to the office called the neighboring apartment.
No answer.
I never felt so alone on ideas in my life. Finally I thought what would I want someone in my position to do if it was my mother in that apartment? I finally had the answer. I used my master key and opened up the neighbor’s door, yelled, “Maintenance,” and entered the apartment. I went onto the balcony. I looked at the roof. I then climbed onto the balcony railing and climbed up the roof. I then slid down on my butt down the other side of the peak of the roof, and jumped onto the balcony.
I then prayed. I slid open the screen door. I grabbed the wand of the blinds and slid them slowly open. I kept my head down to the floor the whole time. Then I slowly raised my head and opened my mouth to say, “Hello.” At least, I think that was what I was going to say. Instead I said nothing. My mouth had dried up, and I had become mute. My eyes fixed on a sight I wasn’t quite ready for. There before me, a little old lady sat at the dining room table. A cup of soup in front of her. The morning paper still in front of her as though she may have been getting ready to turn the page Her head rested upon her arm, which was resting upon the arm chair.
I slowly walked toward her. On the wall in the dining room was her phone. I dialed the numbers 911.
I spoke slowly. My voice shook. I explained to the police who I was and that I had just entered an apartment and found the occupant of AA5 dead on arrival.
I exited the building and the long-term resident stood outside. I looked at her and she looked at me with a half smile. I slowly shook my head back in forth. I again, was mute.
“No?” her voice squeaked.
“No.” I responded.
“No?” She asked again as though she must have heard me wrong.
“She’s gone,” I almost whispered. “The ambulance is on the way, and so are the police.” My voice cracked.
“She’s gone?”
“She has passed away.”
We hugged. I held back tears so that I could remain strong for when the police arrived. I would have to talk to the police with a clear mind. Then I remembered. Please call him when you find out what is happening.
I called her son and told him that his mother has passed away.
After the police arrived and talked to me, I walked back to the office. It was now 7:33. My mind was clear again. I was out of shock. Then the long-term resident came in and asked me if I was ok. I told her yes. She then offered to make me some hot chocolate. I smiled and told her no thank you, but thank you for coming to check on me. Then I closed up the office and went home to relax from my long day of work.
Her
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