Goodbye
An older man shuffles about in an old, cluttered house. He makes tea, pours two steaming cups, and takes them to a locked door. He sets down the cups, unlocks and opens the door, takes the cups back up and enters the room. In the room in an overstuffed chair is a mummified corpse, a woman by the clothes. He sets one cup by her, takes another seat and takes a drink of his tea. “I’ll be retiring in a month,” he says. “My ticker’s been acting up. I don’t think I’ll make it much longer.” He takes another drink. “The kids are forcing me to sell the house and move into a home”. He finishes his tea and sets it down, rises. He reaches toward her tentatively, hesitates, then slowly withdraws the hand and collects both cups. “How do I explain you?” he asks the corpse, shaking his head, and turns toward the door. He locks it behind him.