Reddit Challenge #31

Reddit user Basman_ submits:

"A thirsty man walks to his kitchen, pours a glass of water, drinks water."


"Water"

The thought penetrated his mind like an arrow striking its target with tremendous speed. He could almost feel the fleshy grey matter shift out of the way as the projectile entered his brain and embedded itself in his consciousness.

"Water"

How long had it been since he had last had a drink? Two hours? Two days? Two weeks? A concerted effort to determine the answer to this question brought upon a chilling conclusion: he simply did not know. Since his wife passed away time's role in his life had become altogether different; altogether more meaningless.

"Water"

Perhaps it would stave off the feeling, perhaps it would lessen the pain. Maybe, just maybe if he could have a drink he would remember what it felt like for time to pass, for life to be lived, for smiles to be had. He could see her face, the moisture in her eyes, the tenderness in her lips.

"Water"

What was worth doing once no longer felt worth doing now. Was the drink worth having? Was the bed worth leaving? Was the television worth abandoning? He looked wistfully at his sole companions for the past month, they could say nothing of how they felt and if they could he was sure they would say the same thing everyone had been saying.

"Water"

It was time to get up. It was time to move on; she would have wanted it that way. All those many years ago it has been her who showed him how to laugh and mean it, it was her who showed him the face of God, it was her who showed him life was worth living. It was time to get up.

"Water"

He sat up in the bed. The television seemed to call to him, crying "don't leave me" just as she would on restless nights when her dreams kept her awake. But he knew better, he could hear her true voice calling him, telling him the truth. He turned off the television.

"Water"

His legs hit the floor and for the first time in so long- he wasn't even sure how long- he felt the weight of his body on his feet. Steady. His strength had diminished but his love still strong; he willed himself to lift up and get out of the bed. He was standing on two feet and facing the door. Opening it, he turned around to see the cavern his body had created in the mattress. However long it has been, too much time had passed.

"Water"

Those first steps were shaky but within moments his confidence returned, his smile shown. Thoughts turned quickly to the best times in his life, they were all with her but he knew that she would not want him to stop and he knew she would want him to move on and be happy.

"Water"

Her voice still echoed in his mind as he approached the sink. He held the glass in his hand and let the water flow into it. The feeling of cold on his hands through the glass as the water rose up its interior made him smile again. He could hear her speaking to him, and at that moment he finally felt that everything would be okay. Calmly, she said to him:

"Drink"

And he did. And all was well.