Appearances

SEVENTY YEARS LATER

"Thank you, Ms. Everston. That was an extremely interesting narrative," I say as I type the last lines of the interview into my computer.
"It was my pleasure," Andrea Everston says. "Now, if you'll excuse me, my nurse should be here any minute to give me my afternoon medicine." She pauses. "I know is a bizarre concept for you."
I laugh. "I can imagine it must be difficult to even gain access to medicine," I say.
"Yes, it is. I know that you must be disgusted to hear about age and medicine and dying and things like that." She looks down at the blanket that drapes over her lap and picks at the lint on it.
"Well, yes, it is a bit awkward," I admit. "But nonetheless, we mustn't forget where we all came from, and believe me when I say that this story will be making headlines all across the world!"
"I certainly hope so," Andrea says. "You see, this is a big deal for me because it was such a secretive matter when I was your age. The government was doing all of it behind our backs, you know. It's funny to think that I was one of the first subjects tested and yet I'm still..." she gestures at her body. "This."
I smile. "Well, thank you again for your time, Ms. Everston. It was an amazing honor to talk with you."
I shake her wrinkled hand, so unfamiliar to me. I know that as I do so, I will never forget this moment: to touch a human hand with bones, and blood, and veins, and sagging flesh. I may very well be one of the last to ever do that.
Later, when I'm back in my office, I think about what an amazing story this will be to publish. No one will see anything like it ever again. It isn't difficult to come up with a gripping headline this time: EXCLUSIVE - INTERVIEW WITH WORLD'S LAST SURVIVING HUMAN.