Young At Heart...

At times, I've found it's easy to be critical of myself when I write, BUT, I find it more productive and honest if others critique my work.

Want to help? Tell me what you think of the piece below. The piece focuses on Henri, an elderly resident in a home who longs to have the companionship of his wife back, but finds it in his friend, Marilyn, who herself longs for her youth back.

The older generation should be cherished whilst we still have the opportunity to do so.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Best wishes,

Dan

Henri watched as his family disappeared past the ward door. His son, Tyler and his family of a wife and two children had fulfilled another standard thirty minute visit which put them in credit for another month; listening to how they lived free of ailments made him feel grumpy. He missed his wife who had passed away eight years ago.

                He decided to pay his friend, Marilyn a visit before dinner. She’d been recovering over the last few months since her hip operation. Her family had left her behind to move over to Chicago. Her daughter had been promoted with a six figure salary, an apartment overlooking downtown and a company car. Her daughter had said to Marilyn that, ‘sacrifices had to be made.’ So much for repaying the woman who raised you twenty four years.

                Henri’s feet squeaked on the flooring as shuffled along to room O124. As he poked his head inside the door frame, he saw Marilyn finishing a cup of tea. She was hunched forward because it relieved her pain.

                “Oh, I’ll come back, Mari,” he said.

                She protested, “No, Henri. Come in.”

                He made his way into the room as Marilyn pulled at the shoulders of her nightie to straighten it out. Her sweet and only friend sat down in the chair to her right, which was often vacant during visiting time.

                “How’s Tyler and the family?”

                “Fine, fine,” Henri confirmed, looking at Marilyn’s tired face. “How are you? I know this time of day is tough for you. Have you heard anything?”

                Marilyn’s bottom lip wobbled, prompting Henri to take her hand and cup it in his own. Her fingers felt brittle.

                “Nothing. I hate being old.”

                Henri laughed through his nose, “I know. You spend most of your life looking forward to retirement, and when you get here, you ask to have it all back.”

                “I just miss being young. I want to be able to run about again, and go dancing like I did in my twenties.”

                “We can go dancing.”

                Marilyn looked at him in complete confusion.

                “How? The staff would never let us out.”

                Henri picked up her television remote and switch on the flat screen in the corner of the room. He quickly navigated his way through the guide until he reached channel 503. No image appeared but music played aloud. It was a sixties beat, complete with the catchy lyrics of the time.

                By this time, Marilyn had realised Henri’s plan and had stepped out of bed. Henri quickly raced to her side and took her arm so that she was steady enough to walk out into the space beneath the television.

                “May I?” Henri asked.

                Marilyn smirked at him, and sunk her hand into his. They began to sway gently so that all their aches and pain became temporarily benign. For Henri, it felt like he had his wife back with him all over again. For Marilyn, it was a step back to happier days.