#LameStory 14: How I Learned To Tell Time
I actually remember the scene like it was yesterday. It was the Thursday of spring break. It was about 72 degrees outside and it was sunny. He walked into the restaurant just happy to be out of a house that he had been curled up in the entire break. He sat down at a table. The table that was the furthest away from the door. He sat in the corner. He never liked his back to be exposed. That’s when she walked up.
She wore a green shirt with khaki shorts and white shoes. She wore her hair down but it didnt quite reach her shoulders. She walked up and smiled a smile that could never get tired. She smiled a smile that could recite the Bible including every part of the genealogy of Jesus without ever hitting a dull moment. A smile that could make the sun jealous enough to purposely explode ending all life on earth. (Corny line alert) A smile that’ll make a unicorn made because it was so unique and she looked at him and said, “hi I’m Monique.”
Then she held out her hand a gesture that he wasnt used to. He took her hand and said, “Im Donovan, i like your soft.” He instantly thought about how dumb that comment actually was. But she responded with a smile. The same smile that could possibly end the war on poverty. Expelling all greed, making politicians fall to their knees. She said, “what would you have?” and just like that a relationship began.
I remember the time they went out on their second date. She sat down and asked him about the comment he had made about her soft. That’s when he revealed the truth. He really didn’t know what else to say. She was the first person to speak to him in 14 days and counting. He didn’t mean to be awkward but it wasn’t routine like clockwork and besides her “soft” was kind of…awesome! Then she stuck out her hand and smiled. He took it and decided to hold it a while.
I remember the time they went out after the game. She won queen and as everyone clapped he sat their and smiled. She shook hands and gave hugs and everyone told her she was fine. She got all of this attention but jealousy never crossed his mind, because at the end of the day he knew where she’d be and everything would be fine. Despite the party invitations and she did get a lot they ended up alone. Just the two of them. Those were the times that his life would be on a freakin cloud. Time was nonexistent. Then he looked at her and said”i like your soft,” and she smiled.
I remember the time she went missing. No one knew where she was, no one could find her. I remember how he found her. Alone in the park with no one around her she sat there sad. I remember how she sat there and explained the tragedy of how her grandmother died. i remember how he reacted because it seemed like the first time an angel ever cried. As awkward as he was he took her hand and told her. “It’ll be ok, you still have your soft”
I remember how time passed and they started working. Everyday the same routine. As much as he loved his job he couldn’t wait to get home. He would walk in and head straight to the kitchen. They would sit down together and both discuss their day. From “what the boss said,: to the promotion he hoped to get. She would smile and they would talk and talk and talk like time didnt exist and their conversation could never develop an end. The he would take her hand and say “i really missed your soft.”
I remember the diagnosis. I remember how the doctor walked in and told him. I remember how they reacted. I remember how he sat there realizing that his days of writing would come to an end. I remember how she treated him and he looked at her like everything would be fine. The failing use of his right hand was just another way to tell the time. I remember how she smiled and kissed his forehead and he said, “i really like your soft”
I remember how the tables turned. I remember his face when he got the call. I remember rushing him to the hospital just so he could sit by her side. i remember how they sat in the room and she would smile. “Hey you,” that’s all she said. I remember every visit after that. i remember how they could sit there for hours and talk. They would have conversations and remember every line but when visiting hour was over they would realize how they forgot how to tell time.
I remember how she slept. She slept and slept and slept like the girl off that one movie. The fairy tale with the short guys? i remember how he would just sit there holding her hand and she would be sleep. Completely unaware.
I remember the day she left. I remember how he sat there staring into the black hole that she left behind. I remember when he finally found the strength to speak. He said that was his first time speaking in 14 days he almost had the record. I remember how he said,”37 years with Monique and they have been the best of my life,” he said the failing use of her heart was just another way to tell the time. I remember how he said the tragedy behind the failing use of his right hand had nothing to do with him playing golf. he said ” i remember holding her hand as she died but the worst part is i couldn’t feel her soft.”
I remember we sat there together as you died. It was like the first time i’d ever seen an angel that cried. I finally learned how to tell time.
#TeamiLAME