An Empty

“The chairs are always the same, or seemingly so,” I thought as I waited for the Dermatologist to enter the room.

I wondered how many similar rooms in different locations, I have visited in the past twenty years. Some were part of huge facilities on the upper east side of Manhattan; quite a few were on the north shore of Long Island and now I sat in an equally efficient but compact building in northern Michigan

The one thing they all had in common was the small chair placed in a secluded corner.

I believe all were identical.

For fourteen years I sat in that chair, I always tried to dress well and hoped we could share a luncheon afterwards, if the visit was hopeful.

Sometimes, at least in the beginning, that happened, and it was always festive.

Even a nearby diner seemed celebratory on those happy afternoons. Whenever I remember, I try to focus on those days when the world still seemed so bright.

Today, the chair appears empty. However, I know it’s not.

I know he’s never far away although others might disagree with my confidence.

He is the one who accompanies me these days.

He still wears the plaid Ralph Lauren shirt that was his favorite as well as mine.

Now, today, he is the one who sits in that chair waiting as I did once.

And yes, if all goes well, I will go out to lunch.

Of course I will order for one, but that’s really no problem.

Because I know he’s never very far away even if I am the only one who believes that.

“But the most important thing is, even if we’re apart,

I’ll always be with you.” A.A.Milne