Short Stories: My Old Friend

“It’s funny, you know,” an elderly man says, looking down at a body with a light blue sheet rested over the top of it, his hair fox grey and his hands wrinkled. His eyes are the bluest of blues and his clothes, the finest suit he has ever worn.

“Life, or this?” A younger man asks, looking at him with piercing green eyes from the far corner of the long, cold, metal morgue, resting his cream white hands inside his black trouser pockets, hooking his thumbs on the outside.
“Both, I suppose.”

“Yeah; life is one of those things that has its moments, doesn’t it? I wouldn’t really say this is one of those funny moments, though.”

“I guess not, although it’s nice to see a friendly face.”

“Friendly face?” The green-eyed man raises an eyebrow as he stands up, patting a speck of dust off of his black jacket sleeve, his dark suit matching his slicked back jet black hair. “I’m not sure you remember our last encounter?” He adds, ever so slowly making his way across the laminated tile floor toward him whilst rotating a dull silver ring around his wedding finger.

“I do, must be 27 years ago.”
“25 by my count.”
“Then that would make the one before that be 35 years.”
“36.” He corrects. The elder man’s eyes fixate on the green-eyed man.
“Then that must make your first visit 44 years ago?”
“43, I see that your memory hasn’t improved over the years. Neither has your heart, for that matter.” He jokes. Extending his right hand; he waits to be accepted by his old friend.
“They were both as bad as each other; It’s good to see you again, Death,” Reaching out to shake his hand, their grasps are gentle but firm.
“Remember, I’m not the Death, just a Death and likewise, I have missed our chats.”
“A chat with you feels like a long time.”
“I’m sorry for keeping you waiting; I didn’t want to come unless I knew for sure it was the right time.”
“It’s OK, in a way, I’m relieved that it is,” He looks down at his body, accepting what has come to pass. “I’m ready to see my wife and friends again.”

Death chuckles lightly, not at his comment but at a thought that just popped into his head. “This is a big change from the first time.”
“Yeah… Sorry about that.”
Death holds up his hand telling him: “Don’t be, as you can imagine at the end people go through many different emotions and do quiet a few unimaginable things to stay; but you’re the first to listen to me explain my position then hit me.”
“It worked though.” He says proudly with a smile.
“Or it wasn’t your time, but whatever you want to believe.”
“I prefer my version.”
“Of course you would, who doesn’t like going around telling people they punched Death?”
“The kids liked it.”
“How are they doing these days?”

He summons two chairs over to them with a flick of his fingers. Death holds out his hand to the man as if to say ‘after you’. The elderly man sits down in the chair, relived to see his aches and pains are gone. Death follows swiftly after.
“They’ve each got their own families now and they’re doing well. Thanks for asking.”

“I’m a little surprised they’re not here.”
“It’s not like last time when they were close by. They’ve moved away now, they should be hearing the news about now.”
“Would you like to wait around? I’ve got a chessboard somewhere…”

A few awkward moments pass by as he considers Death’s offer.
“As much I would like to and I really want to, I don’t think I can… Seeing them again would only make me want to stay.”
“As a rule, I advise not to. Walking this earth for eternity is not a fate I would recommend.”

The man rubs his hands together like he has always done when he is nervous. “So what comes next?”
“That; I don’t know, I’m only here to ferry you across. What would you like?”
“I’d like to see my wife and not… You know… Head south.”
“Why does every one presume there’s a heaven and hell?”

Sitting back in the chair, taken aback by this revelation, his jaw drops in disbelief. “So there’s not?”
“Honestly? I don’t know.”
“But you’re an angel of death, so there must be.”

Death shrugs his shoulders, seemingly unconcerned about what he is. “All I know is that some one is there to bring you into this world, which means there has to be someone to take you out.”
Saddened by this news, the man leans forward and murmurs.“So there is a chance I might not see her again.”
Death hears his hushed voice and rises from his chair, standing tall over him. “In my own personal opinion, I don’t believe that to be true. You have made a few mistakes in your life but then again, which human hasn’t? You have lived a long and full life and you’ve experienced love and loss. I believe what happens next is what you have earned.”
Feeling re-energized from Death’s speech, the man rises to his feet with a smile. “Thank you.”

Death twists his ring, its dull grey tone shifting to coal black. He holds his arm out towards the door of the cold metal morgue.
“Shall we?”

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