Writing Contest Prompts

Fade Out

Ominously Anonymous Prompt 6: The Power of Music

Artist: Nothing More

Song: Fadein/Fadeout

#audibleinspiration 

They say the silence is what bothers you, but I found it was just the opposite. I could hear everything from where I sat and I could never turn it off. The beeping and hum of the machines. The footsteps constantly walking the corridors. It all served to torment me as I was forced into inactivity. I had given up reading my novel hours ago and simply stared at the wall.

It was with a sense of apathy that I heard the door open. It was probably just another nurse. When a long minute passed and a bustling figure didn't come up to fuss over the blankets and machines, I glanced over. It was him. He came. I knew my surprise had flickered over my features when he looked down at his shoes.

"Hey." It came out as more of a croak than a word. He bit his lip and looked back up at me.

"Hey." He replied hesitantly. His voice sounded warm and comfortable to my ears, even though I had not heard it in years.

"You came." I stated. His head nodded but his feet did not move him further into the room. I gestured to a chair, it was one of those ugly ones that you couldn't sit in for more than an hour without your butt hurting, but it was the best one in the room.

"Mom called me." He said as he slowly made his way to the chair. I nodded this time and tried to clear my throat. It didn't work. I coughed a little and grabbed the cup of water by the bed. It took me a minute to drink through the cheap straw and put it back. By the time I was done he was sitting awkwardly in the seat.

"I asked her to." I admitted. I looked him over. He was a handsome kid. I was a little jealous how thick his brown hair sat on his head and how clear his blue eyes looked as he watched me. Just like my brother and I when we were his age. God, when did I get so old?

The silence dragged on between us. I could hear the machines, but they seemed to fade into the background as we looked at each other. I could feel his impatience like a tangible thing. I wanted to chuckle at it, but my chest wouldn't take that sort of thing.

"What do you want, Dad?" He finally ground out. I sighed.

"How have you been?" I finally replied. He let out a startled laugh.

"How have I been? That's it? I have been great. Thank you for asking. After seven fucking years, thank you for giving a damn." He bit out in a tired voice. I flinched a bit, but I couldn't back down now.

"You look good. I am glad you look good." I mumbled, turning my head away from his frustrated face. I could feel all of it building up inside me. All the regrets, all the things left unspoken, how they hovered between us now.

"You are unbelievable." He groused as he stood up with a flourish. I knew he was going to storm out if I didn't say it. He was too much like me not to.

"Don't go. Please, son... I am sorry." The words nearly stuck in my throat but I pushed them through before it closed for another coughing fit. The water was pressed into my hands as I leaned forward helplessly hacking out a lung.

"Jesus, Dad. No need to be so melodramatic. Isn't that Mom's job?" He quipped with an uncertain look on his face. I barked a laugh that almost became another fit, but managed to breathe again.

"Right you are. She wasn't here to do it for me though." I closed my eyes and took deep breaths as my chest ached and my body relaxed again. He put the cup back on the table and I could feel his eyes on me.