Where Do They Go

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Earth – Golden Acres Assisted Living – Present Day

The lazy afternoon sun was streaming in through the windows of the main parlor at Golden Acres senior care facility, where several of the “Acres” residents dozed in their seats. Doc Saunders sat in the corner in an overstuffed armchair. In danger of falling into oblivion himself, he fought to stay awake, waiting for Evie. 

Funny how one can still get excited even at 83. Kids today, heck most people don’t realize that we (us old folks) still feel things just like anyone else. We still experience longing and desire. We are still people damn it, just older versions. If you cut me, do I not bleed? 

“I am not an animal,” Doc hollered, surprising the resident who had fallen asleep in the chair beside him.

“Of course, you’re not,” said Sola, a cute but dim new aide at the assisted living facility. Doc was in no mood for cheery smiles today. His morose mood growing as the seconds ticked on. Youth is wasted on the young. Maybe he had mixed it up, but he thought he’d heard it said in a movie once. Or was it love that was wasted on the young? Either way…

Like a welcome breeze on a sticky July afternoon, Evie entered the TV room. Always smiling even when there was little to smile about, she viewed the world with her own special rose-colored glasses. Doc envied her that. 

“Hello James,” Evie said and settled herself in the chair across from his. “I read your diary like you asked.”

His smile faltered a little. “And?”

She took his hand and squeezed. “I believe you.”

#

Space. Some point in the not too distant future.

Xiaros stared out the port window into the empty void of space. He couldn’t see the little blue planet from this distance, except in his mind, or on the large viewing screen across the hall in the detainment center. He closed his eyes and sighed.

I’m sorry.

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