By Tom Baldwin
The pain in his chest grew unbearable, and John looked for the last time, he hoped, at his wife’s photograph beside him. The black and white image slowly became suffused with sunlight, and Mary smiled, holding her hands out to him. “Not long now, my darling. I’ve been waiting for you.”
He smiled back, too weak to speak.
A confusion of wailing monitors, running footsteps, urgent voices, and electric shocks. His failing heart stabilized. The staff relaxed and congratulated each other.
He roused and turned back to the photograph. It was black and white again.
John closed his eyes and wept.
Nice one. Possibly more common than we care to admit.
Heart rending.
This gets to me every time I read it.
Heartfelt and touching.
Nicely done!
A friend of mine told me something like that happened to her and she was so sad when she came round.
Thanks for your comments.
Being here is not the happy place.
Well written… I felt his emotions and pain at not finally joining his loved one… kudos…
Beautiful, sad, memorable.
Like a knife in the heart. Relief mixes with disappointment, the finish line moves farther away. Well told.