Corrections · 3
My short story, A Place with No One, Part IV, the end finally
"I need to thank you for helping me to take care of him.” She watched me attentively as if I were the one who needed to be consoled. My eyes were drawn to the end of corridor, where Mr. Brown’s room was. His breath was still in there lingering, for he had been in that room for so long that his scent permeated the wallpaper and carpets. I wanted to leave soon.
I sat back in the car. My hands on the steering wheel reminded me of Mr. Brown’s cold fingers. I wondered what his dreams were like. Maybe when the body becomes weaker, dreams become louder.
I returned to my apartment. There was a message on the answering machine. I took several boxes out of the closet. In the past two years I hadn't unpacked very much. All my things were in the same boxes as they were the day I moved in.
I got packed in 20 minutes. For the last time I checked the whole apartment and collected the leftover things, including an expired jar of beetroots. I sank into the white sofa and started to listen to the message. It was Leon.
“I will get back one month earlier than expected because I just got a project. I always wanted it. I think I told you about it. Isn’t it great? And I get to see you sooner. Call me back.”
I took the beetroots out of the box and found a fork. Even though they were expired they tasted not that different. I dived into the purple liquid for sliced beetroots, then I put the jar on the white coffee table. I just sat there.
In my imagination, I became a black bird, flew out the window of this white apartment, and disappeared into Minneapolis’ glaring sunshine.
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