By David Henson
The magical device will be just for us. It’ll work simply as pouring water between two glasses.
Sneaking you from the hospital will be the hardest part. I’ll set the dial, let you pull the lever. We’ll start slowly—the moon shrinking across the viewscreen like a dollop of butter in a skillet. Taking the scenic route, we’ll watch icebergs rock toward the poles, bare trees explode with color. We’ll count down the years as we zero in on your backyard. I promise—if you had a tire swing, it will be there. And your feet won’t even reach the ground.
I read this many times before deciding this was about an assisted suicide. I could be wrong ( not for the first time ) but this was a cleverly written piece. Does anyone else have a more interesting idea ?
Interesting perspective, Kevin. I didn’t see it (or maybe didn’t want to see it) that way. For me, it represented the last heartfelt moments between two people, the relationship of which is unknown, but I’m not sure it matters.
I thought that too!
Ha! How about an answer 3.5 years too late. Not about assisted suicide. It’s a fantasy about the narrator rescuing a dying loved one and taking them back in time to when they were a child with their whole life ahead of them.
Absolutely love this little gem!
Gorgeous writing, especially “- the moon shrinking across the viewscreen like a dollop of butter in a skillet.”
Agreed! This description impressed me the most! I like the part with icebergs and bare trees exploded to patches of colors — as if different parallel universes collide, merge and transform!
Nice work!
Beautifully done. Quoting a line from a 70s movie, “If it ain’t true, it oughta be.”
Thank you to all who commented. Much appreciated!
@David Henson, just a heads-up, the link to your page isn’t working: it just takes me to Word Press, not your specific site.
xx
Liz
Thanks for letting me know, Liz.
I really love this story. It is so intriguing. The way I interpret it is a person in hospital at the end of life. That opportunity to go back and relive those simple pleasures one more time. Beautifully written. Moon description spot on too!
Loved this piece. Made me sad but anticipating the next journey of the couple.
Thanks for commenting Sally and S. Webb. Glad you liked the piece!