Goodbye
"When you're outta here, I promise to take you to that garden ya like so much."
A cold hand held tight by his.
"I brought ya some ericas by the way. They're sitting there, waiting for ya to smell them."
The dead flowers giving off no scent.
"Ron, Red and Spears have all come by to wish ya luck in getting better."
A lonely white and grey room.
"I got some soup here if you're hungry."
Rotten food combing with the scent of medical supplies.
"If you're too cold, I have another blanket at the foot of the bed for ya."
Heat already gone.
"Your way to thin. We gotta put some meat back on your bones."
A skeleton in place.
"If ya want, I can read you one of your favorite stories I brought. I don't have to go to work yet."
Ears that no longer heard sounds.
"You're always so quiet when I come to see ya."
A mouth that no longer worked.
"You know, they told me to get ready, but I know they're wrong."
The ticking of the clock ignored.
"Funny, aren't they? Convinced you're leaving."
The doors hinges creak.
"I know you wouldn't do that to me. You said so yourself just yesterday."
Convinced time as stopped.
"They just don't want to admit that you're getting all the attention lately."
A hand placed upon his shoulder. "It's time."
"He keeps telling me, I have to let you go."
Reluctance.
"I keep telling him you'll wake up soon."
Denial.
"They say it's been a year since you last looked at me."
Tears.
"I know that's not true. You looked at me just yesterday and said you'd be here with for longer."
A grip tight enough to break the frail hand in his.
"You don't like to lie, so why would you start now?"
Desperate.
"Come on. Prove to them you're gonna be fine."
A squeeze upon the same shoulder the hand is on. "It's time. You must let him go."
"Please Alan…"
"Eric."
"Open your eyes, tell them you're still here."
"We've been worried about you and we all say it's time."
"My best friend."
"Please, let him go."
Slowly, the grip upon the frail hand is dropped. Another moment for tears to be wiped away, two more to finally leave the spot he refused to. The clock begins ticking again, the sound nearly echoing through the cold, dark, lonely room, the only occupant, a once treasured Dispatch Officer with a heart of gold. "Goodbye."
