FLAMES

FRIENDS: At the Emergency Ward

Johnny's POV

Today is a really important day for me, I have a job interview by nine am. I'm out of bed by seven in the morning to get ready. I haven't told Kookie and the others about it yet, I think it would be much better to get the job first before telling anyone so nobody gets disappointed. I decide not to eat anything so I get dressed after a shower and head out.

When I arrive at the venue, there are not many people there, I'm directed to pick a number and wait. Being number 11, I have to wait a while. About half past ten I hear my number and I know that's my queue to go in.

After some minutes I'm out and feeling a bit satisfied as I walk out the door. The interviewers know what they want and I feel I satisfied them. I find the nearest coffee shop and sort out breakfast. After that I figured I'd fill the rest of the day at a retirement home visiting the oldies there.

I never got a chance to see my grandparents, they died before I was born. So I've learned to appreciate people in their old age because they have seen a great deal of life that I haven't, they are in the best position to give advice and are very entertaining to be around. I'm a regular there so I have quite a number of friends, I always buy fruits before visiting.

The first person I visit as I arrive is Granny Mae, she's in her mid seventies and her hair has turned silver though not completely, she has some folds around her eyes when she smiles but her face isn't totally wrinkled.

"Jonathan!" I hear her soft voice call to me once I walk into her room, her welcoming smile spread across her face, I could hear the excitement in her voice.

"Yes Granny Mae" I wrap my hands around her in a light hug. "How are you"

"I have been well" she gestures for me to sit on the chair by her bed. "So tell me, how did the interview go?"

Granny Mae is the only one that knows about it, I haven't even told my family members.

"It went well and I have a good feeling about it" I smile at her to emphasis my statement. "The result should be out by next week so I should be expecting an email from them"

"Why, did you say you applied for another job? Are you not working already?" She asks, her concerned eyes fixed on me"

"Well, my father doesn't consider my current job as relevant" He wasn't so excited when the job offer from the gaming company was given. He only didn't say much because at least it is better than just sitting at home. "So he insisted I get a white collar job, which is why I applied to work at a bank"

"Your father?" She looks at me puzzled. "Jonathan" she takes my palms and rubs her thumb gently on the back of them "You do know you are a man right? You should not be tossed around and told what to do. Now I'm not saying you do not need advice at crossroads, what I'm simply saying is it is time you become responsible for your actions. Take decisions and and own up to the outcome, if it works out well, then fine, if it doesn't, very well, you learn from it"

"Yes Granny Mae" I see the sense in what she's saying. My father has always been possessive of and strong on his opinion about his children.

"Good" she pats my thighs and clears her throat "Is it still missing?" She looks out the window after asking

"What?" I am blank on the response to her question, what exactly was missing to start with?

"I doubt you have been trying to find it in the first place" she exhales deeply and stares at me like the answer is on my face.

"I'm not sure I know what you're asking about" I look back at her, lost.

"The rib of your rib, your second half" she smiles again this time exposing her teeth.