Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:01):
It's October, 1988.
Three miles north of San Juan atthe Munoz international airport.
A passenger plane bound for NewYork taxis onto the runway.
In row 16, seat f Tony Rodriguezpeers out the window.
Tony is excited to travel to NewYork and excited to see what
(00:22):
opportunities the big city willbring to his life.
Tony is traveling with hisbeloved parrot, who he named
Jax.
Jax is in a small cage underTony's seat, and he is hoping
Jack stays quiet for the fourhour flight.
Exactly two weeks ago, Tony wasfinally evicted from his
apartment for non-payment ofrent.
(00:43):
Desperate for a lifeline.
Tony turns to his cousin,Carmen.
Hoping she'll offer himsanctuary in his time of need.
Their relationship has alwaysbeen complicated and somewhat
mirrored the relationship ofCarmen's dad, who is Tony's
dad's brother.
But despite that, Carmen, can'tturn her back on her family..
And even though she hasreservations, she agrees to buy
(01:06):
Tony a plane ticket to New Yorkand let Tony stay with her
temporarily unaware of the stormthat's about to descend on her
life.
Uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh.
(01:44):
As the wheels of the planetouched down on the tarmac or
JFK airport.
Tony's heart races with amixture of anticipation and
anxiety.
With his belongings packed in asingle suitcase and his bird
Jax, Tony exits the airplane.
As Carmen stands at the arrivalgate of the JFK airport.
(02:05):
Her heart races withanticipation, The bustling crowd
fades into the background.
As she scans faces in the crowdsearching for familiar sight of
her cousin, Tony.
And then, in the middle of thecrowds of travelers, their eyes
meet a fleeting moment ofrecognition that sparks joy in
Carmen's heart.
With a smile that lights up herface.
(02:26):
Carmen rushes forward to embraceTony, her favorite cousin from
Puerto Rico.
In that moment, Tony's anxietyand problems melt away.
Replaced with a sense of warmth.
And belonging.
They laugh and share storiescatching up on lost time as they
make their way through thebustling airport.
Carmen glances at the coveredcage that Tony is carrying and
(02:47):
ask what's that.
Tony lifts the cover just alittle and says, this is Jax my
best friend.
As they emerge onto the streetsof New York city.
Carmen feels a surge ofexcitement, mingled with a hint
of apprehension.
For Tony, this city represents anew beginning, a chance to leave
behind the troubles of the pastand start a fresh.
(03:09):
Together, they navigate thecrowded sidewalks and neon lit
streets.
Their laughter echos against thetowering skyscrapers.
After grabbing lunch andboarding the subway.
Carmen tells Tony about her job.
Tony.
I'm really glad you're here.
I want to fill you in onsomething important.
You know how I've been tellingyou, I'm caring for this lady
(03:29):
named Martha, right.
Well, it's not just a job.
I actually live with her as hercaregiver.
Wow.
That's a big commitment.
How does that work?
Yeah, it's been quite a journey.
Martha needs around the clockcare.
So I'm with her all the time.
It's a live in caregiverarrangement.
which means I have a room thereand take care of her day and
(03:50):
night, Monday through Friday.
And some weekends, Her familycomes over every.
Sunday.
So I usually have Sundays off.
I see.
that's a lot of responsibility,but what about you?
When do you sleep?
How do you manage.
I have my own room and Martha'shouse is not a huge space is
challenging at times, butMartha's become like family to
(04:10):
me.
I want to make sure she's welltaken care of.
Martha's house has a nicebasement and you will stay
there.
But listen to me, Tony.
I did not get permission fromthe family or Martha for you to
stay.
So I need for you to keep quietand it's only temporary.
You have to find a job and aplace to stay.
And I do mean like very quickly.
(04:32):
With Carmen's gentleexplanation.
Tony gains a deeperunderstanding of her living
situation.
And the dedication she has toher caregiving role.
As they navigate the new chaptertogether.
Tony realizes the sacrificesCarmen has made and the strength
she possesses to support bothMartha and him in his new life.
(04:53):
Tony settles into the basementof Martha's home.
And everything is quiet andpeaceful.
Carmen gives her cousin someinformation about jobs in the
city that he can apply for.
Mary and Rob and the kids visitevery Sunday and spend the day
with Martha, including churchdinner.
And sometimes Martha plays gameswith her two grandkids.
Martha's condition is.
(05:14):
slowly deteriorating.
But it's hardly noticeable toher family.
Tony's days of hiding, begin tofill monotonous and stifling.
Despite his initialdetermination to lay low.
He finds himself increasinglyrestless.
and eager to break free from theconfines of the basement.
Jax, his loyal companion, senseshis frustration and tries to
(05:34):
keep up his spirits with acheerful, chirps and playful
antics.
Hello?
Jack's talks and speaks.
a few sentences that Tony hastaught him..
Despite the risk, one Saturdaynight, Tony calls, one of his
younger cousins, exits the walkout door, of the basement, and
unbeknownst to anyone venturesinto the city under the cover of
(05:55):
darkness, craving the thrill offreedom and the adrenaline rush
of his past life.
He tells himself is just for onenight., just to shake off the
boredom and feel alive again.
But with each step he takes, heknows he's playing a dangerous
game.
One that could have direconsequences for him and those
that he cares about.
(06:15):
Tony's nights in the city becomemore frequent and Tony's nights,
a reckless partying, drinking,and drugs.
Take a dangerous turn.
as he finds himself embroiled ina series of escalating events.
As Tony immerses himself in thevibrant nightlife of the club,
he reunites with his youngercousin.
Eager to let loose and indulgein the euphoria you have the
moment.
(06:35):
They danced into the night fuelby pulsating rhythms of the
music and heady rush of alcoholand the allure of forbidden
pleasures.
In the midst of the chaos andexhilaration Tony's cousin
approaches him with a request.
A small favor that carries withit, the weight of the
consequences yet to unfold.
Tony's cousin caught up in afrenzy of the moment ask Tony to
(06:57):
hold a stash of drugs for him.
It's a simple request he assuresTony it quick favor that will
earn them both a tidy sum ofmoney.
In the haze of alcohol anddrugs, Tony's judgment is
clouded.
But he doesn't hesitate toagree.
Enticed by the promise of easymoney and the thrill of living
on the edge.
As Tony tucks the drugs into hispocket, his sense of unease
(07:19):
washes over him.
And nagging voice of doubt thatwhispers warnings of dangers
ahead.
But in the heat of the moment.
He pushes aside his doubts andconvinces himself.
That he can handle whatever itcomes his way.
After all, it's just a smallfavor for family, right?
Tony's young cousin, thanks himand pays him for holding onto
(07:40):
the drugs, the lure of easymoney and partying, and the city
prove to be alluring for Tonyand now finding a real job takes
a back burner to the nightlife.
One day, Carmen confronts hercousin.
Antonio, we need to talk.
This situation can't go on likethis.
What are you talking aboutprima.
Everything is fine.
(08:00):
No, it's not fine.
You're being here was supposedto be a temporary arrangement.
If you weeks at most.
I know, I know, but it'scomplicated.
Carmen.
I'm still figuring things out.
Complicated is anunderstatement.
Martha can't know that you'reliving in the basement and Jax
becoming louder every day.
You're becoming a squatter.
Tony, I can't have you swattingin the basement.
(08:23):
Mary is trusting me to take careof her mother.
And I can't betray that trust.
I get it.
Carmen, I get it.
I will find a job next week.
I promise.
I promise Carmen antonio, thiswas supposed to be a fresh start
for both of us.
I can't jeopardize my job andMartha's safety for that.
I promise just a bit more.
I've been looking for jobs.
(08:43):
I swear.
Once I get back on my feet, Ican find my own place.
I know you've been sneaking outof the basement at night and
going into the city and partyingwith that bum cousin of yours,
you better not be using drugs.
You know what happened lasttime?
Okay.
Okay, Carmen, I hear you.
I just snuck out so I can go outand have a little fun.
Is bored sitting in his basementall the time.
(09:05):
I promise you.
I promise I am going to find ajob.
I'm going to get my own place.
I appreciate everything thatyou're doing for me, Carmen, you
know, I love you.
I got something big that'scoming up.
And if you make me leave, itwill fall apart.
And whatever deal you're workingon will not happen here.
I will make it fall apart.
(09:27):
Cleaning this stuff up and makejax quiet down.
All right.
All right.
I'll figure something out.
Just give me a bit more time.
Antonio, I care about you, but Ican't keep compromising my
responsibilities.
I mean it one week Tony, oneweek.
One week turns into two weeks.
And two weeks turned into twomonths.
(09:48):
Tony goes out of his way toavoid Carmen leaving by the side
door and returning the same way.
one Thursday night, Carmen,here's Martha saying hello And
she goes to her room toinvestigate.
Who are you talking to martha?
Martha says someone said helloto her and she said, hello
back..
There it is again.
Hello.
(10:09):
As Carmen, listens to Martha.
about hearing someone sayinghello, she realizes that is
likely Jax Tony's parrot makingthe noise.
Understanding the gravity of thesituation.
Carmen decides to take action.
She follows the sound to thebasement where she discovers Jax
perched on his cage.
Repeating the word.
Hello?
(10:29):
In a cheerful, albeit slightlymischievous tone.
Carmen looks around and thereare drugs, drugs, packaging,
material laying in plain sighton the table.
But no, Tony.
Carmen knows it will be cruel togaslight Martha into thinking
that she's hearing things asAlzheimer's is already taking
its toll on her.
So she brings the bird upstairs,places, the cage on the table in
(10:53):
Martha's room.
Thinking Jax might be a goodcompanion for Martha.
As usual Martha's family wasplanning to visit on Sunday.
And this may be a good way toexplain why Jax is here.
Jax loves being out of thebasement and martha immediately
falls in love with Jax.
And when her family comes tovisit on Sunday.
(11:13):
They thank Carmen for thethoughtful gift to Martha.
Thankfully for Carmen.
They never questioned whereJack's came from and she doesn't
volunteer the information.
Weeks pass and Carmen has notseen Tony.
He has not surfaced.
Tony has gotten involved inselling illegal drugs has gone
missing.
Recognizing the seriousness ofTony's disappearance and his
(11:35):
involvement in illegalactivities.
Karma decides that tomorrow shewill take action.
She will clean up the drugs inthe basement and contact
authorities.
She will share what she knowsabout Tony's activities and his
connection to Martha's home.
Hoping to aid in the search forhim and ensure the safety for
everyone involved.
But for Carmen, her plan is alittle too late.
(11:59):
This is episode two of thesquatter.
For take care of time, the talesand exhales of caregivers.
In our next episode, we find outwhat happens to Tony.
Carmen.
And Martha Peters and why Marthawas found wandering in her
neighborhood, partially naked.
We want to extend a specialthanks to our feathered friend,
(12:21):
jax for bringing laughter andlight into Martha's world.
Whether he's charming us withhis cheerful, chirps, or adding
a touch of whimsy to our story.
Jack's reminds us that even inthe darkest of times, There's
always room for a little joy andcompanionship.
And speaking of companionship,don't forget to check out
Puzzlebilities the proud sponsorof today's episode.
(12:44):
Dive into a world of sensorydelight.
With their custom jigsaw puzzlesand subscription boxes.
Perfect for caregivers andpuzzle enthusiasts alike.
With Puzzlebilities every piecefits together to create moments
of joy and relaxation.
And this month, you can find apuzzle of Jax with all his
pretty feathers.
(13:04):
And his sensory pieces.
Do you need more information onAlzheimer's?
We recommend.
the Alzheimer'sassociation@alz.org.
Please note that this episodefeatures reenactments and
dramatize details.
While in most cases, the exactverbatim dialogue may not be
known.
All dramatizations are groundedin historical research.
(13:25):
Do you respect the privacy andconfidentiality of individuals
involved, named have beenchanged and some identifying
details have been changed aswell.
Do you have an interestingcaregiver story that you would
like to have told, please emailus@podcastattakecareoftime.com.
We would love to hear from you.
Uh, Uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh,