I write what I write

CHPercolator scribbling - 30 june 2001

Time for a change of pace

E.M. Forster - Maurice - last line challenge
by Anita Dapperens

 

'He waited for a little in the alley, then returned to the house, to correct his proofs and to device some method of concealing the truth from Anne.'

Anne would be furious if she knew he was seeing Alex again. He had promised her so many times that he wouldn’t, but Alex was like a drug, always had been. Alex had been all he lived and breathed for years, and for the longest time he had thought Alex felt the same about him. But with Alex you could never be sure. One day he would woo you and sweep you off your feet, and the next day he would treat you as if he didn’t even know you. And it had hurt, and hurt worse every time, but still Jonah had kept coming back for more.

Until Alex left.

He just up and left one day, leaving nothing but a little note saying "sorry". He just vanished, never to be heard of again ...

Till now.

 

So why did he think that it would be different this time?

"Hey, Jonah. Where have you been?"

Jonah tensed when he spotted Anne coming out of the kitchen.

"Out, doing some research," he said, wishing he had more time to think of something that wouldn’t sound so feeble. He just hoped she didn’t realise that he finished the researching a week ago. But even if Anne had caught his little lie, she surely didn’t show it, and Jonah was thankful that the execution was delayed.

"Want me to make you some coffee?"

Jonah shook his head. He could really do with a whisky, but knowing that it might clue Anne in he had to settle for something less strong.

"A beer would be fine though."

"Coming right up," Anne said cheerfully as she disappeared into the kitchen again.

Sipping his cool beer, Jonah leafed through his papers again, but his mind wasn’t in it.

He met Alex when he was jogging in the park three days ago, and his first reaction was to run in the opposite direction, as fast as he could. Seeing him after all these years brought back so many memories, the good ones, but also the bad ones. He didn’t run though, no, he walked right at him. After all, Alex was a hard habit to kick, even after all these years. That, and the shock at seeing him looking so frail sitting there slumped in his wheelchair.

Alex seemed genuinely surprised that he approached him, and somehow Jonah found that reassuring. They started talking, a bit hesitant at first, but it didn’t take long before it started to feel like old times, the good ones of course.

 

So, why did he think that it would be different this time?

Because this time it was Alex who needed him, this time he was in control.

So it was because he could to the hurting? Was that it?

No, Jonah immediately dismissed the thought as it entered his mind.

No, no hurting. He would be just like Alex if he did that, and he was nothing like him.

No, he was going to give Alex all the help and attention he needed, and he would love him until ...

Jonah swallowed, barely feeling the tears streaming down his cheeks.

He would do anything to make his last months as comfortable and dignified as possible.

 

The End

© 2001 Anita Dapperens - all rights reserved