One Last Love Read Free Page A

house and moving north did. Finding new drinking friends to drown his sorrows with didn’t take long. He liked drinking in the outdoor beer garden on long hot afternoons and warm evenings, sharing his anger and spite with new friends of the same ilk. All bitter and sharp tongued, but getting too old to use their fists anymore. There had been a couple of women since he’d moved north, but he couldn’t recall their names. Maybe he hadn’t bothered to ask.
    ‘It’s cancer Bonnie,’ rang in his ears.
    Bonnie shook his head trying to clear the fog of faces and the melange of memories. He didn’t want any of this, but it seemed his mind was intent on filing everything in perfect order before it was to be wiped clean by death.
    ‘Daddy, read Shep for me.’
    *****
    ‘Let’s get you ready then Bonnie,’ the nurse said cheerfully as she made notes in Bonnie’s file. ‘Your driver’s due at five.’
    ‘Taxi?’
    ‘Sorry. Ambulance.’
    ‘Oh well, can’t have everything I s’pose.’
    ‘You’ll enjoy the change of scenery I’m sure. It’s much nicer there. It’s all a bit sterile here.’
    ‘Have to agree with you about that, but it won’t be a long stay. Funny you know, in a way I’m looking forward to it.’
    ‘It’s a very nice place.’
    ‘No, death I meant. I’ve had enough.’
    ‘You have a lot on your mind.’
    ‘Prefer not to really.’
    ‘Well, come on. Let’s get you out of that bed and ready for your transfer,’ the nurse said kindly but clearly not wanting to get closer or involved. Bonnie didn’t blame her. Instead he marvelled at her strength. She must have seen this a thousand times, and yet she could still smile. He wondered if she was married. As nurses never wore any jewellery it was hard to know. As he was about to ask, he decided against it. It wasn’t his right to invade her privacy.
    ‘Do you like cricket?’ he asked instead.
    ‘Rugby for me.’
    ‘So you wouldn’t know the score from Lords then?
    ‘Two hundred and seven for three last time I checked.’
    ‘Thanks.’
    ‘You’re welcome,’ she smiled. ‘Ok, up you get. Nice and slow.’ He stood up, shakily at first, but steadied by the nurse he made the few steps to the wheel chair by holding her arm firmly, then dropped into the chair. ‘Ready?’
    ‘Got ‘em queued up then. In a hurry to get me out?’
    ‘There’s always a queue. Now, I’ll grab your bag.’
    ‘Oh, Mrs Lloyd got my things?’
    ‘Yes, she dropped in an hour or so ago. She popped your keys in the side pocket of you bag.’
    ‘I’m sorry I missed her. I must’ve been sleeping. Please thank her for me will you?’
    ‘Will do. Now, ready Bonnie?’
    ‘Could we just stop by Mr. Baker’s ward on the way out. He’s been very kind and dropped in on me from time to time. Nice chap. Just like to say farewell.’
    ‘I’m very sorry Bonnie. Mr. Baker passed away yesterday afternoon.’
    ‘Oh well,’ he said after a moment’s silence. ‘Guess I’m a bit luckier huh?’
    ‘Good way to look at it.’
    ‘Alright. I’m ready then,’ he said as the nurse started wheeling him towards the elevators. ‘Um, can I ask you something?’ he asked as they stopped and waited for the elevator to arrive.
    ‘Sure.’
    ‘How do you handle it?’
    ‘Handle what?’
    ‘Death.’
    ‘Just have to. It’s part of my job,’ she said calmly. ‘But there are…..,’ she started to say but the elevator doors opened and two nurses greeted her with polite niceties before she wheeled Bonnie in. They descended the two floors in silence accompanied by three orderlies.
    ‘It’s over here,’ was all she said once they exited the elevator and headed towards the waiting ambulance. Bonnie didn’t reply. He felt small vibrations in his wheelchair coming from what looked like a perfectly smooth white floor that was rushing below his feet planted on the chair’s footrest. The white turning black suddenly as the floor finished and the ramp down to his waiting