Continue...What Has to Happen Next By Patricia Carragon
The cats followed him everywhere. They weren’t as rambunctious as they were two years ago. He knew cats were sentient and secretive creatures, and understood things that most humans couldn’t. They sat by his side as he played the songs from his youth on the modern turntable. The old record player from his bachelor days no longer worked. Like him, age finally caught up with it and gave out in the middle of his favorite song, “Blow Me A Kiss.” It was also Diana’s favorite tune.
Tonight, he played that old song on the turntable. He sat on his cozy ultramarine chair and wept, repeating that he was sorry for all the pain he has caused to those he has loved during his lifetime. When the song ended, he put on Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata,” a favorite of his and Lynda’s. In the corner, Michael saw Lynda. She looked exactly the way she did in his dreams. He cried out her name, but she stayed in the corner. Her rouged lips parted, but she didn’t speak. He called her name again, and as she slowly came closer, his vision began to fade. Cobbler jumped on his lap, purred as his master’s tears dampened his fur.
Mara heard him weep, quickly hurried into the former studio to comfort him. Elaine turned off the stove and asked what was the matter. Cobbler suddenly jumped off his lap. Like a mantra, he repeated his apologies to Lynda and everyone. Michael stood up and extended his hands, but not for Mara or Elaine. After a few steps, he fell backwards, his arms drifted to the sides of the chair.
Mara felt a fleeting chill. She checked for his pulse and closed his eyes.
***
December 2018 Brooklyn, NY
© Patricia Carragon: Puppy Love
© Patricia Carragon: Puppy Love
