languid crag
EYE CONTACT
“I never wanted to make this call, but…” my aunt’s depressing voice came through. I was sitting in traffic on my way home. I wanted to rush out of my car and stampede toward the hospital in the pouring rain. All the vehicles in front of me suddenly became imbeciles. I wanted everyone blocking my way to the hospital to vanish from Earth’s surface. I was living through the worst manic Monday.
As I finally walked through the silent hospital corridors, I dreaded every step. Raindrop tears were rolling down my cheeks.
All I could think of was, "Another one bites the dust." My grandfather introduced me to Queen. He used to repeat their same record in his "classic '60s metal record player" every Christmas.
My aunt was sitting outside of my grandfather’s hospital room with tears in her eyes. She waved and delicately said, “Go in, sweetie. He is waiting for you.”
I did not want to see my grandfather in a hospital bed. I did not want to accept the end of our friendship.
When I finally found the courage to walk through the doors, I saw my grandfather’s scribbled face for the last time. His fragile hands were shaking, but his deep-set eyes looked full of life. As I made eye contact with my grandfather, I wanted to greet him, but a bone blocked my throat.
The sudden sound of thunder broke our deadly silence. My grandfather's voice shook as he faintly laughed and said, "Thunderbolts and lightning, very, very frightening." I could not halt my chuckle. My grandfather patiently nodded his head to show appreciation for my laughter.
Grandpa’s worn-out hands were anxiously fidgeting with the side of his quilt. He was tired, but his sea-fog eyes looked longingly at the pouring rain. Grandpa would tell stories of dancing to the rain's rhythm while shouting the lyrics of his favourite Queen songs.
Like a plant, my grandfather grew strong in the rain and thunder. Grandpa lived through all four seasons.
ebon mural