Hand in Hand

a short story on a topic that fascinates and scares me to death.

                I came into the fast food restaurant first. I ordered a plain hamburger and water and sat down in the back of the place, looking past the empty tables and booths, towards the door, waiting for his arrival. He comes in a couple of minutes later, wearing a black suit jacket and a tie. He sits down across from me and flashes a quick smile.

                “Hey, Joe, what do ya know?” He says.

I give a small chuckle and take a bite of my hamburger saying, “I get that all the time.”

                “I know,” He replies with a small laugh.

For several moments, we sit together in silence. Though I’ve never been met him personally before, it’s a comfortable silence; one best friends would share.

                I finish my meal and break the silence with, “So, this is it, eh?”

He nods with a small smile.

                “Do I get a chance to say good-bye to anyone?”

                “No,” He says. “You don’t need to.”

                “But I need tell everyone something.” I object, not with much enthusiasm, though.

                “They all know what you want to tell them.”

                “Does anybody get a chance to say good-bye?” I asked.

He shrugs and says, “There are exceptions.”

                “Like?”

                “Well, sometimes people have bad moments before it’s time. Those kind of cases.”

                “But not me?”

He shakes his head. “No, you had a good moment with everyone. It’s better this way.”

                I nod and say, “There’s a lot I haven’t done yet.”

                “I know. I get that all the time. But, Joe, look at it this way. There’s a lot you wouldn’t have done anyway. You were never going to go to Mars or be a millionaire. There’s always something everyone wants to do, and most of the time it never gets done.”

                “Any exceptions in that category?” I ask.

                “Never.” He simply states.

There is another couple moments of comfortable silence and then I say, “Have I wasted my life?”

                “Do you think you have?” He asks.

I think for a moment and then shake my head. “No, it’s been a good life.”

                He smiles wider. “Then it wasn’t wasted.”

I smile back at him. He makes me feel comfortable and at ease.

                “Are you ready?” He asks me.

                “Why? Got somewhere to be?” I jokingly reply.

He laughs and taps the bulge in his jacket pocket. Underneath there is, undoubtedly, a notebook full of names. “Oh yeah,” he says.

                “Is anyone ever ready?” I ask.

                “Never.” He simply states again. “Are you scared, Joe?”

                “Terrified.” I laugh.

                “It’s a waste of time to tell you not to be, but don’t be. There’s no reason to.”

                “Is this it?” I ask, the question that has always been on my mind has left my lips and I’m happy it’s out there.

                He thinks for a moment and then says, “I’ll let that be a surprise.”

We laugh for a moment and then we stand up, me taking his lead.

                “Will you hold my hand?” I ask, not ashamed or embarrassed to.

                “Of course,” He says.

And we leave, hand in hand, out the door.

Reviews

[Elvina CZq]

I just admire you. I mean, you always have a way to tell a story of death. I thought, at first, this Joe character is waiting and meeting a friend, until I read the part that he never met him. Then the notebook full of names tell and confirm to me that it is about death coming to get you.

It's not scary though, in my opinion for this story. It just unexpectedly peaceful, but good to read :)

[Journey]

When I die, I always wanted to go in my sleep. I am not afraid of death, just of dying. You told this story in such a peaceful manner. No bright lights or sirens...just calmness. I do believe that some people know when they are about to die, and I don't mean because they are sick. Maybe they have been visited by an angel as in this story.

[Princy]

When the story started I thought "ok guy talking with a friend."
But then the end was creepy. Such a topic gives me the chills too! And you have written it amazingly I must say. It leaves the reader in a certain perplexion and curiousity and yes a little scared in my case. Hehe

[Fallacy Pharmacy]

"He laughs and taps the bulge in his jacket pocket. Underneath there is, undoubtedly, a notebook full of names. “Oh yeah,” he says."-That bit made me realise that it was in fact about death-Grim Reaper, eh? :)

Beautifully written, sets a nice, smooth atmosphere. Somehow you made the (for many people) scary subject of death somewhat amusing and...friendly, almost cute. The last few lines were absolutely adorable ^.^

There were soooo many points in this writing that made me 'awww'...

What can I say-simply the best short story I have ever read here. Keep up the good stuff!

[hope.]

UGH! the ending makes me mad because i want to read more!!! are you doing to continue this? or is my imagination going to continue to be at work on this story? good job though. the introduction lured me in. (:

[Kristin]

I really like this, it's so mysterious but you still get a understand of what is going on or at least you can make your own assumptions...

i also liked the ending.

[N. An]

Its quite vague who was with Joe. Was it a killer at large or the angel of death? Though the plot is very meaningful and edgy! :).Thumbs up!

Wonderful the image you have created, but you stopped short of really pulling a person in. It would be most interesting to see it as a short film.