Right on Time
The hands on the clock indicated the time a few minutes past two. His phone, insync with the nuclear clock in Colorado, showed the time as 2:02. He pulled out the wheeled knob on his watch and reset the minute hand to the exact countdown on his phone.
He needed to be on time. And while the phone announced the time on the dot, he felt better with the watch. He wore the watch now 70 years. It seemed more becoming of an older gentleman. And more stylish. Besides, he liked the smell of the leather and the worn ring where he rubbed away the gold.
They say that a slow watch is correct twice a day. He could only hope that adage was somewhat true, especially today. With a little luck, he would make the appointment on time.
He reached the bus stop as 103 pulled to the curb. He climbed aboard, paid the fare with four quarters, and watched them swirl into the pan. Already full, he ended up standing, swaying as the driver lurched through the turns.
Twenty minutes later the bus pulled up to the VA Hospital and he stepped off. He scanned the directory in the lobby and made his way to the elevator. He scuffed a bit over the threshold, pressed the button for the 11th floor, and stood back. A small kid ripped away from his mother and grabbed his leg. He came close to falling, but readjusted.
"He's a handful," his mother said. "Sorry."
"I was once his age," he said with a smile. The sister whispered, "He's ancient. Close to 90."
"Closer to 86."
The elevator stopped and he started off with the kid still attached to his leg. The boy let go and he stumbled onto the floor. He smiled back at the family as the elevator doors closed.
He looked down both sides of the hall and decided to go west. He scanned the room numbers as he slid down the hall. The whiteness of the walls reminded him of the sterilized factory her retired from 30 years ago. He found Room 1109 and looked at his watch. The minute hand showed three minutes after 3. He was late. He slouched into the room.
"Sorry, I'm a bit late."
"Nonsense," said his 60-something son from the bed. "You made it right on time."
Copyright © 2018 Michael Shawn Sommermeyer
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