I woke with a start, and a distinct pain in my neck. That dream felt all too real. A little queasy, I lifted fingers to the throbbing and gently massaged the connection of neck and shoulder. After a few moments it felt better. Light was filtering into the room, a direct beam cast at my eyes. I groaned, and turned my back to the open curtains, which I was sure had been closed when I fell asleep. My mistake. I would make sure to close them the next night. I buried my head into the pillow, and attempted to sleep once more, it was still early. Sleep would not come. Images from my dream began to flicker through my minds eye in a disjointed mess. A male body next to my own, the softness of lips against pale skin, the harshness of teeth and a flickering lamp light that I could still see with my eyes closed. I began to feel a familiar tingle that kept me awake. Sleep would not come again. 1
Crawling out of the bed I headed to the upstairs bathroom, turned on the cold tap and cupped my hands beneath the running water. Once enough was collected I splashed it upon my face, wetting the bangs which now limply stuck to my forehead. I stood to my full height and glanced in the magnifying bathroom mirror. Pale face, ordinary, dark eyes which were glaring back at me, a smear of coal still beneath them where makeup had been improperly removed. High cheekbones, they looked more prominent this morning, and full lips which were oddly reddened, highlighted by three metal studs. I do not know how long I stared in the mirror, but the call jolted me back. “Emily” How late was it? “Coming Granddad” 2
Barreling down the stairs I put a smile upon my face, lest the old man should see any sickness or concern. He didn’t, back turned to the doorway, eyes still closed in a half sleep. “Can you rub my shoulder?” He reached out to get the prescription muscle relief gel, but I was quicker and got to it first, his hand was gladly retracted. “Of course.” I climbed up behind him on the bed as he shrugged the dressing gown from his shoulder, spread the gel upon my hands, it felt oddly warm in them, and began to massage it into his skin hoping it would appease the discomfort. “I’ll make you tea, some breakfast and you can take your pills okay?” He grunted a little in response, compliant in whatever I was saying that probably was not loud enough for him to hear. After all, he knew I only meant well. Once the pain was eased, he asked me to stop and I removed sticky hands from his skin, standing once again and replacing the tube. “It wont take long” I assured, and headed to the bottom floor and into the kitchen. 3
Odd. Glancing at the door on the way passed the chain had been displaced and hung limply from its bolt. I could have sworn that I had chained the door the previous night, just in case. I must have been more tired than I thought. 4
On the kitchen table a mass of books and papers remained. In mid-use, I’d decided to leave them open to the appropriate sections so I could jump straight back in on my notes. When I had the time. I made toast quickly, and tea in much the same manner, put it on a tray and carried it back to his room, opening up the medicine bottle and tipping out the appropriate dosage. “Here.” The smile must have looked too out of place. “You look tired. Didn’t you sleep?” With effort my grandfather maneuvered his body into an upright position and leaned back against the headboard of the bed, accepting the meager offering, and going straight for the pills which he took with the bedside water, rather than the scolding tea I’d unwisely provided. “I slept wonderfully, don’t worry about me.” I shrugged off his concern, and kept the misplaced smile upon my lips, trying to make it look nonchalant. He raised a brow at this, but did not persist, too sick to do so, he began to struggle through his breakfast. 5
“I’m going to go shower, I’ll come back for the tray soon okay…” It would be fine. I left the room as fast as possible and headed to the shower. Confused by the fatigue that had settled over my person, and the more confusing rested feelings that battled against it. Underneath the hot water, I began to feel calmer, and more soothed. In washing, my fingertips ran over the odd scars which formed slight bumps upon my smooth skin. Scars of a time definitely gone by. I skipped over them and washed other parts, determined to make sure my mood was lifted when leaving the cubicle. Half an hour later it assuredly was, and I hurriedly washed before heading back to my grandfathers room and removing the uneaten toast and half drunk tea. Good enough for me. He was fast asleep beneath the covers once again, letting his body work through whatever was bringing him down. 6
I glanced at him for a few moments, swallowing back as tears began to sting at my eyes. Beneath the covers he looked smaller, much smaller than I had ever remembered. The silver hairs stood out against his dark skin, a stark and terrifying contrast. He looked old. My granddad had never looked old before. I had always seen him on the go, 75 in a day and still working, partying, staying out later than I did. His laughter was loud enough to fill any room, and his presence equally as big. I was hit with a sudden feeling of regret. I wished I had never agreed to come and look after him. I wished I had never seen him like this. I wished that I had never realised that my grandfather, just like every other man walking this earth, was only human.
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Comments
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good job.
I can't wait to read more of this.
it is very well done and quiet interisting.
Great job.
Cheers
hunter~
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