alone

alone

The leaves gathered in the corner of the concrete wall and Mrs. James sat nearby with her cane, looking at them. Later, in the dining room, she was with another woman, carefully eating her soup and speaking in quiet tones. A week went by and I helped take dinner trays to resident’s rooms. “Mrs. James?” The room was stale and dim. Used dishes lay on the counter and in the sink. With the light coming from the hallway, I saw someone lying on the couch, softly. It was dark in the room, a darkness filled with old age and loneliness.