A short story about an ending.

TIME TO GO

Ah, there you are. I thought it might be you. You’d best come in and sit down for a minute. There, that’s it.

I’ve been expecting you, you know. I just wasn’t sure when you would get here. Anyway, I think I’m about ready to go. I have just finished the jigsaw that Mary gave me for Christmas.

Yes, it has taken a while. Well, about ten weeks really. I got started just after our New Year party, actually on the 2nd. I was not really in the mood on the 1st. Yes, well, I did have a few scotches on the 31st. Well, it was my 91st. New Year! Eh? Yes, 92 is a good age. Had another party last week to celebrate that, so I have had a boozy year so far.

I am pleased with the jigsaw, yes, 2,500 pieces, mainly brickwork. Yes, it’s the Tower of London.  I took the grandchildren there years ago. Too many years to remember really, the youngest is 32 now. Time flies doesn’t it?

It seems like yesterday that Jane died and she went what? 6 years ago, now? Yes, 6 years this May, hey ho, it just zooms by, you know. Well, yes, you would know, wouldn’t you. Mind you, I suppose it’s just a blink of the eye to you.

I  remember our wedding day very well and I remember her going into hospital to have Mary. How long ago was that, now? I forget. She must be in her sixties now, isn’t she. Yes, she must be. Eh? Yes, I know we have to go but, just give me a minute or two more, just a minute or two.

Dear Mary, apple of our eyes she was. I’m glad she and Dennis are so happy together. It is good to see your daughter happily married, and she is. Her boys are nice young men and both doing very well, a cabbie and a builder. Good lads.

Hello Smokey, what’s up lad? Yes, you can get on my lap. Sorry, I can’t make a fuss of you just now, I have to go soon and I can’t get around to stroking you, sorry old puss.

Look, do you think Mary will look after him? Yes, I suppose she will. There’s always Gladys, next door, she may be able to take him in because he can’t come with us, can he? No, of course not.

What’s that, the others are waiting. Oh, sorry. Didn’t mean to cause a hold up. Yes, yes, I’m as ready as I can be. See you sometime, maybe, Smokey. You be a good cat, now. That’s fine, you curl up and sleep, I have to be going.

 

                                              *  *  *  *  *

“Hello, Mrs. Watson? Hello, it’s Mrs. Simms from Winter Rest here.  Yes, I’m afraid it is about your father. I’m sorry to say that he has passed on. We think it was early this morning. I went round with his paper about half past eight and, when he didn’t answer the doorbell, I let myself in and found him in his armchair.

“No, I don’t think he suffered at all. I know it’s a cliché but he honestly looked quite content. Old Smokey was lying on his lap and was quite reluctant to move, actually.

“I am pleased, if that’s the right word, to tell you that he finished that jigsaw you gave him. It looks very impressive. He had it on the table in the lounge. I know that he and Gladys Mayborne spent many hours on that puzzle.

“Yes, she will miss him. They were good together, I don’t know who she will chum up with now. They were quite ‘a couple’ weren’t they?

“The doctor has been and done the necessary. Yes, if you could get over here sometime today we can sort out his things and arrange to move his stuff out of the house. I appreciate that this isn’t easy but the rent is paid to the end of the month so don’t worry. Two weeks is plenty of time.

“Yes, he did enjoy his birthday party, last week. In fact he was quite a party animal wasn’t he?

“Look, I’ll get off now. Take care, Mary. We will miss him too, you know. He was a true Gentleman. Goodbye for now, my dear.”

Jerry Wilkins.  03-12-2006