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Almost Forgotten (a short, short story)

“She’s over there”, she said, pointing to the corner of the Library, “but, she never gets any visitors.”
I nodded and thanked the nurse for her assistance.
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As I approached, I could see she was gazing out the large window as if expecting someone to arrive. She was dressed neatly in a white blouse and black slacks with her curly, white hair tied on top of her head.
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She sat up straight in the chair with her fingers interlaced together and placed calmly in her lap. She had a pleasant look upon her bare face, which was only adorned with a bit of face powder. So intent was her gaze that she did not see me approaching.
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“Ms Appleton. Ms Gloria Appleton ?” I asked.
She turned and smiled “Why yes; yes that’s me !” she said eagerly.
“I have come to talk with you. I have heard that all of your family lives far away and that you don’t receive many visitors, so I have come to make sure that everything is being take care of for your comfort.”
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“Oh, yes, of course ! Everyone here has been so very nice to me; going out of their way to make me feel at home here” she beamed.
“Good. That makes me very happy to hear that. Were you expecting someone ? I noticed you are all dressed and watching out the window. I hope I’m not interrupting.”
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“Oh. No, not expecting anyone” she said with just a note of sadness in her voice. “I suppose I was just lost in thought. It happens when you get older, you know. So many memories to go back through.”
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“Oh, yes” I chuckled, “there must be so many lovely memories for you ! Your husband, your children and grandchildren. Not to mention the one that got away” I teased.
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“Ah, yes, that one.” and she hesitated for a time “but I don’t think of him much…..any more. Almost gone are the memories of his voice; how soft, how sweet, how mesmerized I was by the sound; and how I would make him read to me for hours just to hear its sound !” she laughed out loud.
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“Or his eyes that would sparkle when we should meet. I don’t think about that much either.: she shook her head. “Nor the gentle way he would hold me...as if I were the most precious treasure on Earth.”
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She turned towards the window again and began to watch outside once more.
A tear dropped lightly onto her cheek and began its journey downward. She appeared not to notice it was there and made no move to brush it off.
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She began to hum softly and a slight smile crossed her face and once again she became very pensive in her demeanor.
I got up quietly and walked away leaving her to her thoughts, into which, I had the distinct feeling I was invading.
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As I reached the nurse’s station, she stopped to ask if Ms Gloria was alright.
“Yes, I said; just in love with the past.” and I stopped and finished “and I hope to be as beloved as much some day.” as I headed for the door brushing away a tear that had fallen upon my cheek...
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December 17, 2018