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The Buck stops here(750 words)
Haven't been here for a while. Just a quick write. Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks.
Just after dark, Morton rushed out of the barn with the gardening gloves still on. He hadn’t intended to work so late and now he was behind schedule. The crickets had begun to sing, so it had to be around seven. He stripped off the gloves and tossed them aside on his way to the house. The lights were on and everyone was probably waiting.
He’d never forgive himself if he wasn’t present when Uncle Buck passed away. It was unthinkable. Buck had been there for Morton for the past ten years, through his divorce, his children’s college graduation, and even when he had broken his leg and couldn’t work for two months. Morton owed the world to Uncle Buck.
When he got to the porch he could hear Aunt Judy crying and little Suzie, a distant cousin, consoling her. Things looked bad and maybe he was too late. That’s the way things were lately, him never being on time. Perhaps he was avoiding Uncle Buck’s inevitable death, and by putting things off till the last minute, he’d somehow prevent it from happening.
Morton couldn't get in the front door. He must have locked up earlier without thinking about it. Of all times to be security conscious. He peered in the window. Doc was there. The physician had his medical bag on the bed and Bucks legs were tucked under the blankets. Morton could only see Buck through the bedroom door, from the waist down. The rest of him was behind the wall.
He pounded on the door but no one turned around. They ignored him. Another bad sign. Morton suddenly felt guilty. It looked as though Uncle Buck’s time was up, the cancer had finally gotten the best of him. He’d been fighting it for a year. The family doctor had given Buck a month after the diagnosis of brain cancer, so he’d been living on borrowed time. It just seemed to stretch on forever.
Every window he tried wouldn’t budge, even the basement window he usually kept open year round. But a sudden rain storm last week had prompted him to shut everything up tight. He just hadn’t taken the time to open it again. Of all the stupid things.
Around the back of the house he found the kitchen door locked as well. He peered in the widow and this time he got a glimpse of the local priest. Last rites. Good god, it was happening and he was locked out of his own house. He grabbed the knob and shook it furiously, as if the door would give in to his anger and frustration.
He was shaking all over and became short of breath. His eyes couldn't focus. He leaned against the porch post, sure that he was ready to pass out. Things were happening too fast. How could Uncle Buck die, leave him alone in this big house. What would he do on Wednesday nights? Morton depended on Buck’s company. He had no one. The kids and wife were long gone. His wife never like Buck and the family.
Out of desperation, he ran and leaned his shoulder into the door. A sharp pain ran down his side and suddenly he found himself on the kitchen floor, pieces of wood splintered around him. The door had swung open with such force it had broking the door on the oven.
Their voices were louder and he was afraid to join everyone—that Uncle Buck was gone forever. He sat up and hugged his knees to his chest, rocking back and forth, thinking about the good times and the bad. He remembered the time Uncle Buck had gotten caught cheating on his wife and getting that poor girl pregnant. Morton smiled to himself. And the time Buck had won the lottery, but had it had been taken away when the police found out he had purchased the ticket with a stolen credit card. Good times. Morton smiled again.
It was time to get it over with. No use prolonging his agony. Morton pulled himself off the floor and went to the refrigerator to get a glass of milk and a bag of cookies he’d saved just for this event. He smiled again and a tear came to his eye.
When he entered the living room, the credits were rolling, the music was soft and the cast was taking their final bows. Good thing he had Tivo. He’d be able to watch the final episode of Uncle Buck’s death. He wondered who they’d replace Uncle Buck with next season. He couldn’t wait to find out. The milk was cold, the cookies were delicious and the couch was comfy. Good times.
Last edited by snorrie : 06-11-2007 at 03:43 AM.
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