I Awoke The Day I Died

I sat lackadaisically with my now numb derrière hanging off one of the few remaining blue plastic seats that were left, sipping on cold stale coffee as I attempted to rub my blood shot eyes out of their somnolent state. I was anticipating my cell phone’s alarm to sound it’s deafening tone any second, which was that of an old squeaky bike horn, the only thing that I knew would awaken me from my severely comatose stance, albeit necessary so I wouldn’t miss my anticipated train ride that would be here any second I hoped. I had come to the realization that I wasn’t the only one in the room obsessing over some sort of time piece. We all were patiently waiting for our ride to come. And it couldn’t come soon enough as far as I was concerned.

I glanced through out the crowded room. It’s gloomy foyer with the dimly lit green hues cast by flickering fluorescent lights washed everyone out, making us look like we belonged in a 1970’s Zombie Apocalypse film. It was long before my eyes fixated on a little somber like man standing in a corner all alone. His gray wispy hair, a silky combover frolicking about with each touch of the wind from the air vents above him. He seemed cold and out of sorts. His arms folded against his chest. His eyes spaced out and black like coals. His orange parka and khaki pants seemed fitting for a rainy day but it was the middle of August. The sun was blazing hot and the humidity created discomfort as it did not discriminate any one person as it laced its wet substance above our lips, brows and lower backs. We all seemed to glisten like tensile being hung the night before Christmas.

I found out later the old mans name was Jed. He handled his pocket watch with adoration. And seemed to stare at its tarnished exterior as if it would be his last time to see it in existence. I would have never known about Jed, had Audrey not told me about him. Another one of many that were also waiting to be picked up. Hours seemed to go by and yet none of us had seen any sight of the old black steam train anywhere. We were begging to wonder if it would ever arrive. Audrey has been glancing at her gold Rolex at least every half hour. She was beginning to get antsy as she paced back and forth, her mono blaunks clinking against ceramic tile , like frolicking horses in a trance. She twirled the long string of white pearls tucked neatly in her low cut silk blouse so many times they began to loosen and she feared that they would come loose if she didn’t stop fondeling them with her freshly manicured nails. She had bought her ticket for this experience months prior and had dressed and packed for it accordingly however her lack of patience was getting the best of her and she started to suddenly have second thoughts.

I learned Audrey was a cooperate attorney and was ready to get as far away from her old life as possible. She was looking for the same pot of gold and eternal lake of youth that I too coveted. She told me that Jed had experienced a life altering stroke and could no longer see or speak. He wanted eternal life as well.

It was then that I realized there were over 100 people in our little collection of aspiring soul searching seekers. All of us wanting so much more than the death that had suddenly come

upon us. We all had waltzed our way through the illuminate tunnel of white. We all saw the same black shadowy figures touch us with long lithe impressions. But we escaped before it could suck us into its great void. And opted for the never-land before us and sold our souls for the golden ticket to the unknown.

The alarm began pulsating through my ear drums. I hit the snooze button. And rubbed my allergy infused eyes one at a time. I glanced over at my husband lying next to me, he was wrapped up in a cacoon of sorts. And here I was awake. Ready to start another day, disappointed that my reality was dull in comparison to my fantasy infused dreams.