“I was back in Unit 58. In Andrea’s office. Facing her chair. Her empty chair. I was filling in a crossword puzzle. A test from Andy. I was stuck on 69 down. ‘Lave’. Six letters. Crud. I hear Andrea saying, “Lyle. You’re early. Your appointment isn’t till three o’clock. You’ll have to go and come back then. I pivoted my wheel chair. Grasped the outer wheels. Motored slowly out of the office.” The dream ended.
I woke on top of the bed spread. Legs tangled in it. Dusk showed through the window. A light was on in the two storey next door. I levered myself up and looked into the lit window. Nothing showing. No one moving. As usual. Ghosts.
I pivoted on the bed. Levered my legs over the edge. Planted both feet on the floor. Placed both hands on the bed’s edge. Levered myself up. Sitting up. Put my right mocassin on. Then my left. Took a step. With my left foot. Then with my right. Shit!
A bolt of pain. Searing. Shocking. Like liquid lighting. In my ankle. I paused. Stood for moment. I needed to pee. Suddenly. As always. I wasn’t going to pee on the rug. It would reek. Eventually. Had to march.
I did. Limping. Hurting. Bad. Made the bathroom. Unzipped. Hooked my left thumb in the elastic band of my Jockey shorts. Pulled them down. Peed. Flushed. Pulled the front of my shorts up. Zipped up. Washed my hands. In icy cold water. For the penance.
Pivoted. Limped out the door. Turned left. Crossed the living room. To the sofa. Pivoted. Sat down. At the nearest part. Leaned to my left. Picked up the four paper backs. Stacked in a pile on the rug.
I had resumed reading while in the hospital. I didn’t remember what I had left. I sorted through the pile. Stephen King’s “Cell”. One of Viva Anna’s Lord Valorian series, “Blood Secrets.” And, two Harlequin romance novels. I read the book descriptions. Decided on the Vivi Anna.
Three hours later I was finished. Smoking hot erotica had kept me page turning. Time for bed. Without supper.
Tomorrow I really had to go to Safeway.
Pre-publication Draft – ALL Rights Reserved, Lyle T. Lachmuth
