Herman awoke to the pitter-patter of raindrops tapping against his windowpane. He
stretched his arms above his head and wiggled his toes, hearing the distinct creak of
his joints. He gradually sat up, grabbing his bedside table for support, careful not to
tweak his already sore back. He glanced at the clock, and saw that it was 5:37 am.
He turned the 6:15 alarm off and got out of bed, then shuffled to the kitchen to begin
breakfast. He ate a bowl of Cheerios while the kettle boiled, and flipped through
yesterday’s mail, seeing a flyer advertising Conrad’s concert. He immediately smiled.
stretched his arms above his head and wiggled his toes, hearing the distinct creak of
his joints. He gradually sat up, grabbing his bedside table for support, careful not to
tweak his already sore back. He glanced at the clock, and saw that it was 5:37 am.
He turned the 6:15 alarm off and got out of bed, then shuffled to the kitchen to begin
breakfast. He ate a bowl of Cheerios while the kettle boiled, and flipped through
yesterday’s mail, seeing a flyer advertising Conrad’s concert. He immediately smiled.
After his coffee, Herman went into the bedroom to wake Johnny for his walk. Herman
did not see anyone out on the streets, partially due to the early hour and also because
everyone was terrified to leave their apartments. He was tired of everyone waiting inside,
as if the sadness and fear about Mr. Evans’ death would somehow disappear if they
stayed pent up long enough. He missed the conversations he was used to having with
the other Maitland residents.
did not see anyone out on the streets, partially due to the early hour and also because
everyone was terrified to leave their apartments. He was tired of everyone waiting inside,
as if the sadness and fear about Mr. Evans’ death would somehow disappear if they
stayed pent up long enough. He missed the conversations he was used to having with
the other Maitland residents.
The walk around the block took Herman longer each day. Now, he had to stop and rest
against the trash cans along the route and be careful to hold onto Johnny’s leash as he
lurched ahead after the exciting smells. His knees felt swollen and heavy, but Herman
was distracted by his excitement about the concert and the opportunity to catch up with
his neighbors as they left the isolation of their apartments. He decided to invite his
daughter, Susan, who lived less than an hour away.
against the trash cans along the route and be careful to hold onto Johnny’s leash as he
lurched ahead after the exciting smells. His knees felt swollen and heavy, but Herman
was distracted by his excitement about the concert and the opportunity to catch up with
his neighbors as they left the isolation of their apartments. He decided to invite his
daughter, Susan, who lived less than an hour away.
Susan arrived the afternoon before the concert. She played some of Herman’s favorite
piano pieces while he prepared a light dinner. Then, they went to take Johnny out before
they left. Susan was immediately struck by her father’s short, painful strides, and she
offered to walk Johnny while he stayed at The Maitland and rested.
piano pieces while he prepared a light dinner. Then, they went to take Johnny out before
they left. Susan was immediately struck by her father’s short, painful strides, and she
offered to walk Johnny while he stayed at The Maitland and rested.
“Dad, please don’t hurt yourself,” Susan plead.
“I’m fine. Just because something has been happening as of late does not mean that it
is permanent. I’m sure it’ll set itself straight in a few days.”
is permanent. I’m sure it’ll set itself straight in a few days.”
Susan did not see the point of fighting her father, but she left a note on the kitchen table
begging Herman to see his doctor and hire a dog walker. Then, they went and
thoroughly enjoyed Conrad’s performance.
begging Herman to see his doctor and hire a dog walker. Then, they went and
thoroughly enjoyed Conrad’s performance.
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