Disclaimer: Digimon don't belong to me. *sigh* Any resemblance to any people, living or deceased is entirely coincidental.
A Long Wait
The day to day life inside the home were as dull as the oatmeal they served almost daily. Eat it Sir. Its good for you. To which he always replied, I'm ninety plus years old. If its so good why do the other residents die? The nurses had no answer for that. The nurses finally relented, so instead of the tasteless gruel, he got scrambled eggs and toast. It was more tasty than the oatmeal, and a lot less healthy for him. Not that he wanted to die, mind you, but he was sick of waiting.
The muffled sounds of the Odabia retirement community fade away as the old man shuffles down the hall. He ignores the nurses in their white starched uniforms and starched expressions as he exits into his paradise. The community garden is what they called it. He called it home. It was filled with flowers and trees. It looked like heaven should look, he supposed. He spent as much time out there as was allowed. In this peaceful place he could forget about the rest of the world. It was a place where he could wait patiently. It was his 97th birthday today. His son and grandchildren would be coming to visit him today. Perhaps they would even bring his three great grandchildren. He was enormously proud of his kin. What other man had such a son? What other man could brag that he had lived long enough to see his child's children's children. But he was tired of waiting, he had been waiting for almost 75 years. That is a long time, when everyday felt like an eternity.
The smell of lilies permeated the air, reminding him of her, bringing tears to the old man's eyes. How can it hurt so much after all this time. I'm still waiting for you. Why am I still waiting, after all this time? His blue eyes begin to sparkle with tears.
The old man stares in shock at the young girl. Hello there. You surprised me. You look familiar.
Yes T.K. its me.
But your so young, like the first time we met.
Its time to go T.K. Come with me.
I can't Kari, I'm too old now.
Your as young as I am T.K. just leave your body.
I don't think I can, Kari.
Come on T.K. its time to go. Just take my hand. Our wait is finally over.
Instead of an elderly man, a young boy springs up from the shell.
They take each other's hands as the light envelopes them.
****
It was my father, Matt who asked me to come to the Odabia Retirement home right away. I knew that grandpa was dying, or was already dead. I immediately left my hospital rounds and met my aging father in the lobby. Kari, he's gone. I enfold him into my arms. Although we knew this day would come, it still came as a shock. He would be buried next to my grandmother, and my namesake. The nurses explained to us how he always stayed out in the garden. They didn't become concerned until he missed lunch. An orderly found him staring glassily into the sky, a smile of contentment on his face.
He did look incredibly peaceful and happy, as if he had just seen an angel. Goodbye Grandfather. I kiss him on the cheek, and silently give thanks that at long last his wait is over.
