Part I
Kim was a math teacher until arthritis and toxic drugs got her number. She arrived one day by cab, dirty, vomit-splattered, too weak and dehydrated to come inside.
I saw her at the curbside and sent her straight to the ER.
“She’s a math teacher,” I told the ER doc twice. “This could be you or me.”
Part II (9 months later)
The coroner called today; Kim found down at home, dead for days, maybe more.
I saw her last two weeks ago. She was holding court in our waiting room, surrounded by a laughing group of ex-strangers, all sharing the pleasure of her story.
But then no one noticed she was gone for days, maybe more.
A masterful short story. xox