Familial love - part 2

Karmen parked the car in front of the house belonging to Benjamin’s parents. Benjamin sat in the passenger seat, looking forward to a lovely day at his parents' place. Their son, Luka, was in the back. He noticed Uncle Klemen’s car and was excited at the prospect of seeing his cousin Miha again. He looked toward the house and spotted him. As soon as Karmen brought the car to a halt, Luka hopped out, ran over to him, and said hello.

Karmen and Benjamin got out as well. Benjamin walked slowly toward the entrance. They greeted Klemen, Benjamin’s older brother, who was standing by the door, and went inside. Klemen is tall and strong, with dark brown hair. Benjamin is somewhat shorter and frailer. His wife, Karmen, is taller and stronger than Benjamin, though slightly shorter than Klemen.

"Hello there," they greeted. "How are you doing, little brother?" Klemen asked Benjamin. "I’m doing alright," Benjamin said. "Be honest now. I can see you’re tired," Klemen remarked. "Yes, I am tired," Benjamin admitted, feeling a bit self-conscious. "You can sit over there on that chair," Klemen suggested.

Benjamin turned toward the table where his mother was sitting and took a seat. "And how are you, Klemen?" "I’m good and ready for a day full of hard work," Klemen replied. "Are you tired at all?" Benjamin asked. "No, I'm not. Why would I be?" Klemen asked back. "Klemen is healthy and full of energy. He helps out a lot every day," their mother added. "Well, the two of you need to rest. Have a nice time now," Klemen said before leaving the room.

Klemen headed out. Karmen and Petra were outside with Miha and Luka. "How are you, Benjamin?" his father asked, slowly dusting the shelves. "I’m tired," Benjamin said. "Just rest, my son," said his mother. "And how are you?" Benjamin asked his father. "Tired as well. Would you like something to drink?" his father asked. "Yes, a glass of juice would be nice," Benjamin replied.

His father reached into the fridge, took out a bottle of homemade juice, poured it, mixed it with water, and placed the glass on the table in front of Benjamin. "Here you go, Benjamin," he said. "Do you get to rest at home?" "Yes, I sit on the couch and watch TV. Karmen handles the cooking, laundry, ironing, and cleaning. Last week, Klemen, his wife, and their son came over to help tidy up the yard," Benjamin said. "It’s good that they look after you so you don't overexert yourself," his father noted. "After lunch, we went for a walk. I used my electric wheelchair," Benjamin added. "What about when Karmen is at work?" his mother asked. (His parents had an in-home care assistant visiting every morning from Monday to Friday). "Yes, I have home care for an hour a day—just enough to help with lunch, do the dishes, and take care of small chores. For example, she opens my drinks because I lack the grip strength to hold a bottle firmly, and she makes sure I don't have to walk too much," Benjamin explained.

"I spend a lot of time sitting and watching TV too. We all have disabilities that limit our energy. Would you like to watch some television?" his mother asked. "Yes, you can turn it on," Benjamin said. The TV stood in the corner of the room. In another corner was his mother's wheelchair. Further back, a hallway led to a bedroom on the right and a bathroom on the left. The stairs to the first floor, where Klemen lived with his family, were located in the entrance hall.

"First, look at this. You can see what they’re doing outside. They’re heading up the hill now," his father said, pointing to a tablet showing footage from a GoPro-style camera Klemen wore on his forehead. They were walking toward the orchard. "That’s quite a way to go," Benjamin noted. "A kilometer uphill, and then a lot of hard work," his father added. "It would be too much for you," his mother said. "He doesn't have the stamina for that anyway," the father remarked. "It's good that they can manage it," Benjamin said. The scene reminded him of his own exhaustion. "They are young and healthy, but we are sick and tired, so we rest at home," his mother said. "Nothing hurts them, and they don't get tired," Benjamin added. "You’ve always been such a sunshine. Even as a child, you needed a lot of rest," his mother recalled. "Yes, that's true. And Klemen always looked after me well," Benjamin said. The father turned on the TV, and they began watching a show.

Meanwhile, Klemen, Karmen, Petra, and the children began picking apples. "We have a lot of work ahead of us. It’ll take all day," Klemen said. "It’s a good harvest this year," Karmen added. Luka and Miha were dawdling. "Miha, get to work, there’s no time for playing today," Klemen said. "Luka, come here and help me," Karmen told her son. "It's too much work for one day," Miha complained. "Who else could come help? We don't have anyone else who can," Klemen said. "Uncle is just sitting there," Miha pointed out. "He can't make it up the hill. He needs his electric wheelchair," Klemen explained. "Now, be quiet and get to work," Petra added.

Benjamin, meanwhile, was watching TV with his parents. He glanced at the tablet. He could see Karmen and Petra picking apples and three crates already full. "They're working hard up there on the hill," Benjamin said. "So that we'll have apples," his mother said. "They work so we don't have to," the father added. "So that we can rest," Benjamin finished.

Miha was quiet for a while, watching his father fill a crate with apples. "But why doesn't Uncle do anything?" he asked quietly. Klemen put down an apple, wiped his hands on his pants, and leaned down to his son. "You see, Miha, Uncle Benjamin would love to work, but he has an illness that makes his body tire very quickly. He isn't lazy; his body just won't let him work the way we do." "Will he ever get better?" "No, it's not that kind of illness. It doesn't just go away like a cold. He has to live with it. He's had it since he was a child. If he worked too hard, everything would hurt, and his condition would get worse." Miha was silent for a few moments. "Is that why he's always sitting?" "Yes. When he rests, he feels better. Just like when you sit down after a run to catch your breath. Except he needs that rest all the time." "Is that why we help him?" "Exactly. By doing the work, we give him the chance to have an easier life. He would help us too if he could. Family means everyone contributes as much as they are able." Miha nodded and looked toward the house in the valley. "Then I’ll pick one more crate today." Klemen smiled and patted him on the head. "That's the spirit, my boy."

When it was time for lunch, they returned to the house. "Look what I brought," Luka said, placing an apple in front of everyone. "Thank you," Benjamin said. "You can eat the apple later. It's time for lunch now. Petra has already turned on the stove," Klemen said. "How was it on the hill?" Benjamin asked cheerfully. "We had a ton of work. We’re heading back up after lunch," Klemen said. "Oh no, surely you're not going to leave us alone again," Benjamin joked. "You aren't alone. We're always with you. How are you feeling?" Klemen asked, patting his brother on the shoulder. "It’s pleasant and comfortable sitting here resting. But I still feel slightly tired," Benjamin said. "Are you in any pain?" Klemen asked. "Not right now, but my hips and knees hurt when I walk," Benjamin replied. "Yes, I understand," Klemen said. "And you?" Benjamin asked. "No, nothing hurts me. Why would it?" Klemen said. Miha noticed that Benjamin didn't look as tired anymore. Maybe his father was right—maybe Benjamin really did feel better if he just rested.

"Klemen and Karmen, could you get the electric wheelchair ready for me?" Benjamin asked. "Sure," Karmen said, asking Klemen to come with her. Miha went along as well. Soon after, Klemen brought the electric wheelchair into the room. "So you can get some fresh air after lunch," Klemen said.

Lunch was ready. They ate with gusto, followed by an apple for dessert. After lunch, it was time to say goodbye again. Benjamin sat in his electric wheelchair and went outside for some air. He drove along the narrow village road, observing the surroundings. People were working in their gardens. He saw Klemen, Karmen, and Petra continuing with the apple picking. He returned to the yard and watched his brother, his wife, and son, as well as his own wife and son. The yard reminded him of his childhood. He remembered sitting on the bench in front of the house, watching Klemen and their cousins play soccer. He recalled all those wonderful scenes from his youth.

"I’ve got muscle soreness," Luka said. "Me too," Miha added. "Yes, we all feel it, but it’s not the kind of fatigue the elderly experience," Klemen said. They often categorized Benjamin among the elderly because he faced many of the same struggles, needing the kind of help that young people don't. "Yes, I understand. It's much worse for Uncle Benjamin," Miha realized. "Yes, much worse," Klemen agreed. "Look, I can see Dad down by the house," Luka said. "Oh, look at that. He's in his wheelchair," Karmen said happily. "Yes, he's in his wheelchair, watching us," Luka added.

In the evening, they returned to the house with crates full of apples. Karmen put one crate in the car to take home. The time came to say goodbye. Benjamin got up from the wheelchair, and Klemen and Karmen folded it up and put it in the trunk. Then they said their goodbyes to Benjamin's parents, got in the car, and drove home.