Watching Television

This was written for the Time To Write: Sentence Starter 46 prompt from Rachel

Write a story beginning with the dialogue: “How did you find me?”

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Watching Television

“How did you find me?” She glanced over and saw that Ralph had fallen asleep. “Ralph, honey?”

“Hmm? I’m sorry, did I doze off?”

“You did.”

“Yeah… busy day today. A shipment of new parts came in today, a big shipment, all for the new line, and Hoskins had me and… that new fellow, whatshisname, young kid, work on getting everything put away.” He stopped talking and looked past the television and through the wall to a memory that only he could see. He barked a short laugh. “He said he didn’t want to and they all laughed and said, “Yeah, that’s Swanson alright, never wants to play, but the best guy on the team” he said to someone. “But we got ‘er done. Yup, we got ‘er done. Showed ‘em good, didn’t we, kid?”

She watched him playing back scenes only he could see and was thankful that he was still here, still sitting in his chair. Thankful for the times she still had with him. He hasn’t worked in 16 years and hasn’t left the house for five. I wonder how much longer I’ll be able to have any part of him?

“What are we doing tonight?” he asked.

“Nothing dear. Just watching television. Ralph?”

“Hmm?”

“How did you find me?”

“How did I find you?” He used his arms to scoot himself up in his chair and when he turned and looked at her she saw his vision clear and his gaze focus. “I found you to be the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen before in my life. You took my breath, Helen. You took it then and you take it now every time I look at you. You’re my life, Helen.”

“I love you, Ralph.”

“You’re a charmer, you know that?”

Helen stood up and looked at Ralph, small and shrunken in his chair. “The news is almost over, dear. Do you want some dinner?”

“I’d love a steak if you have one. And some of those cheesy potatoes you make.”

The potatoes his mother made 60 years ago, she thought as she watched his eyes cloud over again. She leaned down and kissed him on the forehead. “You rest now, dear, and I’ll call you when dinner’s ready, OK?” He didn’t reply and she turned and walked toward the kitchen to make him a cheese sandwich.

“What are we doing tonight?” he asked.

“Just watching television, dear.”

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