What would you do if you lost all your possessions?
I am devastated. I am so emotionally traumatized, I cannot shed even one tear.
My chest tightens so tight making it hard to even breathe, to make a sound, or to sense anything around me.
When my senses gradually return, I’m in a tunnel, but it’s not darkness all around me. It’s bright white light which closes in on me. I feel the weight of something trying to smother me.
I have no consciousness of reality. Either that, or it is hyper consciousness of the reality that I am homeless. What I am wearing is the sum of everything I own – a gray t-shirt with a faded blue and white horseshoe logo, blue baggy shorts, and gym shoes and no socks.
“Other” starts to exist with the tuning in of a noise, a muffled warble that gradually crescendos into an audible voice. It’s my wife’s voice.
“Are you alright? Can you hear me?“ I distinguish words finally.
“I -I hear you. Are you okay?” The words radiate onto the air, but it is almost like someone else said them. I feel no oral sensation.
“Have you seen them?”
“Seen who?” I wonder. Or did I actually say it?
“Loki or Lance?” She stands facing me with Paisley, one of three pets clinging to her flimsy, excessively worn out t-shirt.
My wife is alive and warming with compassion and concern. Concern flows through my veins bringing me out of my zombie state into this real moment. The world opens up. I think. I feel. I hear. I look. I throw my arms around my dear, living breathing best friend and our frightened feline.
We search for our other beloved pets – no, our children, our friends as if our lives depend on it.
Categories: Relationship Short Story
Douglas Knight
I have the rich life full of a sinner wounded by misunderstanding and punishment but blessed by mercy and forgiveness.
Knight Writer 