That Old Bridge

A Story by aottaviano

This is my favorite story that I have ever written. Feedback is appreciated. :)

"Is this what my tax dollars goes to err' year?" Shouted Elmer to his wife, Mabel."Oh, hush up about that darned bridge, Elmer. They'll fix it when they fix it." Mabel replied, trying to keep calm. This was the main topic of conversation many days for Elmer and Mabel, a retired couple well into their senior years, living on the harbor in Baltimore. Many of their afternoons were spent on their front porch. A view they used to enjoy has been ruined for a while now. A few months ago it was brought to the mayor's attention that the bridge over the harbor that could be seen from Elmer and Mabel's porch had begun to fall into disrepair.The mayor dragged his feet getting workers out there and that angered Edgar immensely. Not only was his beautiful porch view gone,he felt like he was less important to the government because they didn't take care of his issue right away like they did most other things.The bridge was built many years ago and hasn't seen much use recently.

In the early years of their retirement, Elmer and Mabel spent many hours on their porch watching cars drive over the bridge and boats sail under, her knitting, him smoking his favorite imported Cuban cigars. In a way, the bridge brought them together. Ever since the bridge has been out of commission,they seem to argue more often. Mostly about the bridge. To make matters worse, Elmer had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's about a month after the bridge started to fall apart.

Everyday when Elmer wakes up in the morning its like he is seeing the bride broken for the first time ever. Every morning he asks Mabel how long the bridge has been that way. Everyday Mabel adds a day from the day before and tells him. Yesterday numbered day 112. Today is day 113.It's been that long and the bridge isn't even close to being completed.

Mabel tries to be patient with Elmer. Sometimes, she loses her temper. Who wouldn't? Mabel is just about as frustrated about the bridge as Elmer. The thing she wants the most is for Elmer to live to see the bridge in full working order. She wants them to sit on their porch, her knitting, him smoking his favorite cigars. She wants to remember the better times. Better times, when Elmer was healthy and she had more patience.