Tuesday, August 21, 2018

Daybreak

Shady Oaks Retirement Home

Dorge reaches out toward the television remote. It is far away but he finally gets a finger on it and pulls it to his side. He clicks the button off and then sits upright.

Taking a deep breath, he swings his legs off of the bed and into a pair of slippers with smiling Captain America faces on the front. He then grabs his walker and an "old man hat" that he's been wearing since he was 25 and stands up. He is on a mission.

After shuffling his way to the door he makes his way out into the hall. It is a beautiful spring day and the shades have all been opened. Rays of sunlight fill the halls and a calming breeze rushes through the building.

Dorge walks slowly, but with purpose. "Finally." he thinks. "I can finally put this gripe to bed."

Staff and other residents greet him as he passes. He acknowledges them politely but doesn't chance to stop for conversation. First he must end something.

Door by door he shuffles down the hall. Cafeteria... rec room... lobby... visitors lounge... janitorial supply rooms... Finally he reaches the lonely door at the end of the hall. Adver's room.

He pushes open the door without bothering to knock and shuffles up to the side of the bed where Adver reclines with his head facing the windows. Adver is smiling faintly as the breeze flows through the room.

"Adver" Dorge begins, "I've done it. I finally finished Battlestar Galactica. I'm ready to discuss the ending now."

Adver says nothing.

"Adver? Turn your hearing aid up... I wanna talk about Starbuck and the..."

The wind caresses the room again.

Dorge stares a moment, then sighs.

Adver's eyes are closed and he still smiles faintly... Like someone dreaming of cheesecake and a really good cup of coffee. He says nothing. Adver is dead.

Dorge sits for a moment and then stands back up, supposing he should tell someone.

A breeze fills the room once more, and Dorge would swear that he heard a faint voice carried along with it.

"... too late, asshole."






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