Image rights to Alyssa L. Miller

The panic in the emergency room simmered down like an expertly cooked dish on the fire.

“I will leave you soon,” Eddie said while looking intently at his wife.

“How do you know that?” Lourdes asked while hanging on to each of Eddie’s words.

“I just know, but I am ready now,” Eddie answered her question. These were the words that Lourdes played again and again inside her head while the doctor was telling her that they did all they could for her beloved husband. He lay on the cold stretcher covered with a white blanket.

She unveiled the blanket and reveled her husband’s tranquil pale face. There was a faint smile on his paper white lips.

“Thank you for the ten happy years you spent with me,” Lourdes whispered in Eddie’s right ear then gently kissed his cold forehead.

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Bernard looked at himself in the mirror. It’s as if he just saw himself for the first time in years. Since he started his Medical Practice, he forgot how haggard he had become. It surprised him to see a reflection of what he thought was a determined and vigorous young doctor. Was this because of double shifts at the Hospital? The load of patients even at weekends? For what, the prize of a luxurious lifestyle?

He stepped back from the mirror, but, still saw the reflection of springtime from his eyes. He didn’t want this body.

“Daddy?” a small voice called him, “Could you take me to the park this weekend?” she continued hopefully.

It was his five year old daughter.

He stepped out of the bathroom and spoke gently, “From now on, daddy will spend more time with you sweety.”