The old man was up early, smiling and humming gently to himself as he went about the small tasks to prepare himself for the day ahead. After shaving bathing and dressing, he made his bed, made sure his shoes had a nice shine and went down stairs for breakfast. Some of the other residents of the rest home where he lived exchanged greetings with him, as he entered the dining room and he cheerily returned their good mornings. Looking out of the window he saw the sun was shining and the sky clear blue and this matched his mood, for today was special. Today he was going home after many years and it was something that he had planned and waited for, for a long time.
Not that he was going home in the sense to stay, but in the sense that today was to be a return to the area he remembered as home, during a large part of his childhood. As he slowly ate breakfast, he reflected on the many years that had passed since last he had seen the old family home. In actual fact it was only a reasonably short bus ride across town to the well known and fondly remembered suburb, but circumstances more than anything else had prevented him returning long before this.
Breakfast finished and the last minute preparations done, he walked out of the gate and down the road towards the bus stop. There was plenty of time to make the walk before the bus came and as he knew a rest would be needed in the bus shelter at the stop, he had allowed some extra time for this necessity. The sun on his back as he walked along was pleasantly warm and he had that feeling of well being and of something planned coming to fruition. Reaching the stop he sat on the seat contentedly and allowed his mind to drift in anticipation of the time ahead. Indeed it had been a long time since he had thought about the old place and the friends he had known then.
A smile crossed his lips as the memory of old school mates long forgotten started to return. There was Johnny from next door, inseperable for many years as his best pal. They went everywhere and did everything together. The terrible twosome, as his Mother called them. Young Harro from around the corner, Scotty and Ian and Fergy, the names came flooding back.
The morning was pleasantly warm and the old man half dozed on the seat waiting for the bus. Yes he thought, there's the old house now, with the high wooden picket fence, the tiled verandah and the big bay window on one side. It still looked the same as always. The rickety side gate that opened on to the side path and next doors shop that during the time they lived there had changed hands many times. In it's day it had been a fruit shop, dry cleaners, drapery, small goods and other things. He could even see his Mother at the gate of the house now, calling him to hurry or be late for school.
The bus driver smiled to himself as he swung the bus around the corner and saw the old man asleep at the shelter. He slowly eased the bus into the kerb and saw that there was a peaceful smile on the face of the dreamer. He decided to alight and give him a gentle shake to arouse him and as he did this the old mans head fell forward onto his chest. He had indeed, gone home.
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Reviewed by Robyn Leeds
11/8/2003
Oh John, how could you?!?!? He was such a sweetie and you killed him off, you big meanie!! ;D Very enjoyable story though, brought tears to my eyes just thinking about my own home back down under!! :D
