The Old Man

A sad story about an elderly man whom thought everyone had forgotten about him. Also this is what my first ever story was about, this is the short story for my school assignment...

There once was an old man, who lived a very sad and dark life. He always longed for his children to come and visit him, but they never did. It seems everyone was occupied with their own lives, that they had forgotten about him. His name was Harold, he lived in a nursing home in Chicago. He was 78 years old, but still very much alive. He didn't have much to do there. Sunset Ridge was one of the nicest homes in the city, but nobody ever seemed to want to talked to him (aside from giving him pills) he never knew why. He looked nice enough, his hair wasn't completely gone, there was some on the sides of his head, by his ears.

Harold would be in his room for hours thinking about his old life when he was young. The oldest thing he can remember is when he was 5 years old. It was July 4, 1940, all of the kids were running around playing, everyone was so happy. The fireworks shot into the sky every second for about an hour. They were so loud some whistled, others popped, and some even banged. Harold was running around chasing his sister,Meg. with a sparkler. It was the happiest moment that he could remember. Then the next day men wearing suits came to the house and told his mother something sad, because she started crying. Later that day his mom had told him and his sister that their father had gone away forever. He knew things weren't going to be the same.

Harold still was sad whenever he thought about it. Every July 5th he would go and bring flowers to his fathers grave until he was 75. He only stopped because he had become too old to drive and nobody would take him anymore. Everyone was gone now, his sister died last year, and his mother died about 20 years ago. He missed both dearly. Thinking about the past made him remember his old birthday parties. There were some very good ones and very bad ones. Even if they weren't fun he still knew that his family cared about him. Then he remembered that today was his birthday! How could have he forgotten? He hoped that someone would go and see him.

About an hour or two later it was nearing 7:30 p.m. Still nobody came to see him. Harold grew very sad. Had everyone forgotten about him? Just then a nurse came through the door and told him that it was time to take his medicines. He sighed and got up. He walked through the door only to find his sons and daughters with their kids, throwing him a surprise party. He was so happy that he started to cry. Here he had thought that nobody cared and that he was forgotten, but they planned this. Later that night while he was about to go to sleep, and he had said all his good-byes as every one left to go home, he looked at the picture of his late wife and knew it was time. He looked up at the ceiling closed his eyes, and took his last breath, as he thought "At least I know that they won't forget about me."

Reviews

[tuvi]

good story ..enjoyed reading it !
keep writing ...

Cheers!!

[NCalebD]

I really enjoyed this story, found the character quite relate-able. Good read.