bargins…

I am in a room, or a sort of a room, an area defined by curtains separating us. She has dark hair, and dark eyes, and is asking if I can speak. I nod, and my voice is there, weak hurting, she tells me it will come back, the breathing tube sometimes does that. It hurts. I’m sick, ready to vomit, but I have nothing to offer up. Her back is to me, and I wave my hand feebly, and call out. I know even in this quiet room she cannot hear me. Her partner is facing me, the two of them serve others here too. She comes over, and injects a clear fluid into my IV. I start to feel better and drift back to sleep.

Awake again, same place, they apologize, a delay getting the room prepared. I have not the energy to care. I will just wait here I think to myself, too drained to even say the words. The doctor was here to speak to me, or wasn’t. I can’t quite recall.

A man parts the curtains on my left, thin with grey hair and a rumpled white jacket. I notice his clipboard and his string bow tie and his eyes, they are very old.

“You’ve come for me then?” I know him but feel no fear. I will my voice to be strong, but it is weak unsteady.

“How did you recognize me? Most don’t you know.” The voice low and sonorous, the eyes still ice.

“The bow tie, and the eyes.” I must be dreaming, something’s gone wrong.

“Ah.. I’ll make a note of that.” He jots something on the clipboard, then returns his attention to me.

“But, I’m not ready.”

“Few are.” I try to sit, push the call button, where are the nurses?

“A deal, can we make a deal?” I don’t want to go with him, I must stall for time.

He smiles, and scratches his chin leisurely. Suddenly my heart fills with icy dread.

“Very well, which of your daughters will you give in your stead?”