Spots and Stares

A short story with some twists

He stands there, as feelings of doubt and despair revolve around his Adams' apple.

He's trying to focus his thoughts in order to gain courage, but the room around him is full of distractions - patients complaining about their pain, nurses and doctors running around, trying to create some sort of order in this chaos, and two receptionists, which are screaming over the phone at the top of their lungs.

 

The white walls surrounding him make him a bit dizzy, as if the color of the walls is some sort of conspiracy to get the hospital a little more income. He picks a spot on the gray paved floor and takes a big breath. The place in which he should feel safe and taken care of has turned in against him, in more ways he cares to think about at the moment.

 

He places his hand in his pocket and moves it around, trying to capture the loose change roaming around the great lint fields they're so fond of. He couldn't really remember the last time he actually used a pay-phone, but since he couldn't use his cell-phone he had no better alternative. The buttons and hand set are sticky, and it was obvious some sort of foreign substance has found it's direct path onto them.

 

As he dials he remains focused on that same spot on the floor, where four pieces of stone have joined to create a surface in the most casual yet organized way. Some kids are running around, occasionally entering  uninvited into his sight. 'Damn kids' he thought to himself, as these words joins the party down his throat, as he realizes......

 

"Hello?", says the voice on the other side of the line, in such a familiar tone that sounds just like home, and suddenly memories of playing in the back yard and eating warm apple pie rush into his head. Before he knows it, he's caught in an image of his favorite childhood memories.

 

"Hello??", the voice repeats. It's a bit more anxious this time, as it shatters the images and brings him back into the real world.

 

"Mom, it's me, Alex"

 

"Alex? How are you dear? is everything alright"?

 

He pauses for a minute, focusing harder on the spot on the floor, trying to find just the right words, carefully weighing his options - he has to be sure he's completely satisfied by his reaction, or this moment will hunt him forever.

 

"It's a boy", he said, biting his lower lip, completely focused on the same spot. He knows that if those kids pass through there right now, he won't be able to control his actions.

 

After saying these words, the room becomes quiet, at least for his ears - everything around his ceases to exist, except for the excited voice coming from the sticky hand set - "A BOY? How wonderful! You should have called sooner! How's Mary?"

 

"She's.............. resting", he says, now so focused on that spot that his eyes are nearing the point of shooting laser beams, blasting the floor into bits.

 

"Are you in St. Johan's? We're coming catching the next flight down there. See you soon".

 

Before he can even release, the call ends, leaving him with a sticky phone in his hand and two crazed kids heading his way. He's not sure what to do next, but he knows his next step won't involve these two factors.

 

As he's making his way back into his wife's room, you can almost hear the four floor tiles sigh. If only he could sigh in relief - he knows he has a long, sleepless night ahead of him. He opens the door, where the nurse is waiting for him.

 

"I'm sorry, but I have some papers you have to sign. I know you must be in a bit of a shock right now, but we have to take care of these arrangements as soon as possible. We're moving your wife, but you could see her downstares later. If you could just follow me..".

 

He looks at his wife - so peaceful, with a smile on her face that says 'we did it!'. He knows he'll never forget that expression, and that's all he wants on his mind right now. He wants to forget everything else and just stay there, between her smiling lips. But he knows he can't - he has their son to think of.

 

He's keeping his gaze on his wife while they exit the room, as two men in white scrubs enter the room, in order to move her to the morgue.

 

'It's not goodbye yet, my love. It's not goodbye yet'.

Author's Note

I've finished writing this story, which was pecking at my brain for days, at around 6am.
I know there MUST be some oversights, so please let me know if you find any.
As those of you familiar with my work know, I'm a better poet than a story writer, but I'm still looking for your honest opinion.
Just bare that fact in mind.. ;)

Reviews

[Forest Green]

Nice, energetic story. Truly does have a twist to it...very nicely done.

I'm not good at editorial comments...but I do like the tale you worked very hard to tell. Keep the efforts going...;)

Thank you for the send.

Daniel

[dark and twisty]

He wants to forget everything else and just stay there, between her smiling lips. - that has to be the best line in your story.

liked it, interesting piece, short and poignant.