Death's Apprentice | Tristan's Tale

IV

The next morning continued the same as the one before. Death and Tristan made their way to Dolores' house. Death had made a comment about the nice weather they were having today. When they made it to the house, Tristan was the one to knock on the door.

Mara opened it and gave them a weak smile inviting them in. Death and Tristan followed her up the stairs to Dolores' room. The stairs creaked underneath their weight.

Death repeated the same examination he had done the previous day and turned to Tristan to finish the work. Death told him he would meet him outside with the wheelchair. Tristan nodded and turned to Dolores. Death and Mara left the room together.

"So," Dolores looked at him expectantly, "can I leave my room?"

Tristan nodded.

"I will carry you out of bed, down the stairs, and into the garden," he stated plainly. Dolores flashed him the biggest smile yet. He couldn't help but give a small one back.

After finishing the examination, Dolores asked Tristan to fetch her hairbrush from the dresser and her shawl. She threw off her blankets revealing her thin, pale legs. Tristan put her shoes on her bony feet. She was ready to go outside.

Tristan pulled her to the side of the bed grabbing underneath her legs and behind her back. She seemed to weigh less than Death's medical bag. Dolores put her arms around Tristan's neck. He carried her down the steps and out the door. Outside, Death waited in the grass with the wheelchair.

Dolores sighed when she felt the sunshine hit her face. Tristan looked down at her. She squinted against the light, but a smile graced her face. It felt like he was feeling the sun on his skin for the first time in months too.

Death welcomed Dolores with a laugh and a comment about the nice weather. Tristan sat her in the wheelchair carefully as if she were made of glass.

"I trust you can take it from here," Death said patting Tristan on the back. He nodded. Death tipped his hat to Dolores and went back to the house.

"Can you push me around the garden?" Dolores asked looking up at the young man.

"Yes," he replied.

Tristan made a long lap around the yard until Dolores asked him to stop underneath a tree. She asked him to sit her on the grass. Dolores patted the ground next to her asking him to join.

"This is exactly what I've been wanting to do for a long time," she said with a sigh.

"What do you like most about it?" Tristan asked trying to enjoy it as much as she was. He tried to find the most enticing thing about this.

"I like the sun. I know it's still cold, but the sun is nice. I also like the company."

"The company?"

"Yes, I haven't had visitors in a while, and you are by far the most interesting visitor I've had,"

"How so?" Tristan was intrigued.

"You hardly say a word. It's like you're saving them for something important,"

Tristan thought about her answer for a minute. He didn't know what to say, of course. Dolores laughed lightly to herself.

Tristan picked at the dead grass underneath him as they sat in a momentary silence.

"Are you really Dr. Mortimer's assistant? You seem so young to be training as a doctor," Dolores finally spoke.

"Yes, I moved quickly through school," Tristan lied.

"Then you must be smart,"

"I suppose,"

"Since you're so smart, tell me, how long do you suppose I have left to live?"

Tristan looked at Dolores. His eyebrows raised on his forehead. How could she ask such a question? He tried to stutter out an answer.

"That was a joke, Tristan. I would never want to know how long I have left to live,"

Tristan tried to calm down from the frank question, then asked, "Why wouldn't you want to know?"

Most dead people he knew wished they had known how long they had left.

"Because it's not for me to know. Besides, every day should be spent as though it's your last,"

"Why? That would be troublesome," Tristan replied, playing with a stick on the ground. He poked several holes in the dirt with it.

"I don't think so. I would be okay if today was my last."

"You don't mean that. Are you sure you wouldn't have any regrets?"

"I do mean it. Although, I would regret one thing,"

"What?"

"I've never fallen in love. I would like to fall in love before I die," she paused for a moment. Tristan ruminated on what she said. He never loved before. Of course, there weren't many to love in Death's realm.

"I would also regret not having the sun on my face again. Can you bring me back into the sunlight?" she asked turning to the boy next to her.

Tristan wheeled Dolores around the yard until she grew tired and asked to go inside.