Christmas Gift (PAD Prompt)

I'd taken a nap in late afternoon

to escape

because you'd come in to cook your Christmas dinner.

I slept a few hours

deep dreamless sleep

When I woke I could smell chicken

cooked to long.

Not wanting to, I got out of bed

turned off the oven, looked at the clock.

Seven.

You must have fallen asleep, so dinner was put away

for whenever you would wake.

There was evening,

and there was morning,

the last day.

Morning, I got up and looked in the kitchen

You'd not been in.

You must not be feeling well. I sighed.

I'd better go out and check if you need anything.

Put on shoes, go out the back door, walk through

the beautiful snow to your apartment.

Amazing snow, so heavy, peaceful, it felt good.

I saw him sitting on the couch

diet coke in hand, remote on his lap,

absent eyes staring at nothing.

Back through the fresh snow

walking in my own footprints

up the back steps

into the house.

Kids 20 and 21 looking at me.

Dad's dead.

Called 911.

Called one son staying over in the next city.

His reply,

"Well, it's over."

Yes, it's over for us

and beginning for us.

What do we do with this new life handed us

this new beginning

this life without terror?

Looking through the phone book,

I chose a funeral home.

There was evening

and there was morning,

the first day.