A Short Short Story by Mike Roper
A Place of Rest
This certainly was a small house for my family to live in. The den was a narrow room about 6 feet wide and 18 feet long. The den's shape was able to make even the smallest amount of company seem like we were stacked onto each other.
I was sitting on the end of our large ten foot couch which was backed up against the wall in the corner of the busy end of the room. The T.V. was about 4 feet away in a corner of its own and playing something for itself.
My wife Veronica likes for the T.V. to be on, even if no one, including herself is watching it. I guess its one of those life is supposed to be a party things. Woops, here comes someone that wants to get to get past me and enter our small dining room. I'll have to act like I'm getting my feet out of the way. The couch I'm in is already partially blocking the entry way into the dining room. I see now why this house has know door here. There's simply no room.
"Hi Mike"
"Hi Ricky. Do you need anything?"
"We're fine, just let me go into the kitchen a minute. I'm a little bit stuffy in here."
Ricky was a great guy for a brother-in-law. He has lots of friends who play golf, flag football, and anything else they think they can have a good time doing. He even goes on golf retreats with his friends. Mona his wife and my wife's sister is another story and I really don't want to get into describing her. I just don't like thinking negative thoughts, plus there is a heck of a lot of good in her. Anyway, it's complicated.
"Hey ole man!" said Mona. "It's time for you to be getting up."
Well my father-in-law, Papaw, getting to take a much needed nap at the other end of the couch. He hasn't been feeling well. He's about 65 now and he's been having flu like symptoms. Gosh, this is kind of like a dream. I mean Mona, Ricky, Veronica, Papaw and our kids Jorden and Joshua are all here packed into this small house and everything is running just like it should with the T.V going an all. I must be a dream. I wonder what word describes this sensation I'm having. It can't be da ja ve. That's when you think an event has happened before and is currently happening again. I must look for a word to match this senrio at work after I logon to my computer.
"Ole man!" said Mona. "It's time for you to get up."
"Aaaaaa. Wwwwhhhaaat."
"It's time to get up", insisted Mona. "Have you taken you medicine today?"
"Aaaaa. I... don't. remember."
"You don't remember. I gave it to you at lunch. Have you had a stroke? What wrong with your memory. I can't believe you don't remember. Mike, you remember me giving Dad his medicine don't you?"
Oops that's me. "Yes, I remember." I turn to look at my left and yep, Papaw is lying at the other end of the couch. His head is a few feet away from me and his feet are hanging over the other edge of the couch. He's only about 5.7 and it seems that his skin is all tanned nicely. He's wearing only boxer shorts. Since he's sick an all you'd think his daughters would keep him covered up and in a back room in a nice comfy bed. All he has for cover is a small blanket that's main purpose is to look nice when it's folded over one arm of the couch.
One thing about Veronica's Dad is that he has always stayed active an in good shape for an older man. Not that 65 is over the hill anymore mind you.
"I can not believe he can not remember when I gave him his medicine. Veronica can you believe that he can't remember taking his medicine."
Looking to my right I can see my wife a few feet away in the dining room asleep in a chair that is new from walmart, but looks like its from a hundred years ago. I know she's been under stress with her Dad's being sick here and all. She usually takes naps to relieve stress. Yep, she's out pretty good.
"Ah..., Ricky get in here, Dad can't remember taking his medicine." said Mona.
"Aaaa." replied Papaw who was still trying to get himself to wake up. His afternoon nap and the side effects of the flu drug he was taking seemed to be slowing his efforts.
"Let me by, Mike" said Mona. I looked up and she was similing at me. She has a pretty smile, albeit I usually don't look at her straight in the face because I never know what type of face she'll be wearing.
"Ok, let me get these legs back."
"I'm almost by."
"Oh you'll make it now Mona", I said and off through the dining area and into the kitchen she goes. I'm sure she's going into the kitchen to speak to Ricky about this latest dilema that her father is in.
Veronica, bless her heart. She is still asleep. Her face looks so peaceful. I'm glad she's getting a chance to relax.
Somethings still not right here. This IS A DREAM. Oh god, be calm Mike. It's going to be ok. My one thought in the background of my mind just gave this whole situation away. Veronica, how will I be able to tell you. You look so peaceful.
Stay calm. Just stay calm. I've got to see this DREAM through. I'm now walking slowly over to Veronica being careful not to turn back around towards her Dad.
"Veronica honey. Veronica wake up please", I said and softly nudged her.
"I'm awake what is it?" she asked.
"It's about your Dad. Don't you remember he died a year ago with stomach cancer. This has to be a dream."
That's all for now.
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