Austin The Powerless---Chapter 4

             Austin The Powerless--Chapter 4

    (Please Read Chapters 1,2, & 3 Before Reading This Conclusion)

                                    A Fictional Work

Polly found his ashen and unresponsive body slumped over his computer which displayed a prophetic Blue Screen. A frantic 911 call was made and six minutes later Austin was in exam Room 13 at the ER of the nearest hospital. He was resuscitated two times and a feeble heartbeat permitted Austin’s transfer to ICU.

His condition remained unchanged and Polly had time enough to prepare herself for the worst. About noon on Saturday, Austin had the legendary last “Rally” and spoke without oxygen to Polly, their children and most of their grandchildren. At the insistence of her family that was staying at the nearby Olive Tree Hotel, Polly left Austin’s bedside to take a quick shower, change clothes and return without trying to sleep.

The hotel room phone and several cell phones seemed to all ring at once. Each call simply said, “Please come quickly.” The anxious band of family members rushed to his ICU room. The hospital chaplain and Austin’s main doctor intercepted them as they entered the ICU area. Words were not needed though they were appreciated: “I am sorry to inform you that Austin Corrington died peacefully in his sleep.” They slowly walked into his now machine less quiet room. The ICU charge nurse hugged Polly and silently nodded to the rest of the family. She said, with genuine compassion, “Take all the time you need and later we will talk about the funeral home.” Out of respect, she slowly walked backwards from the room. Polly gave Austin’s corpse a third grade kiss and started to sob. Family members simultaneously moved toward her and all the while kept looking at the now fast approaching room temperature body. On the mobile room tray was a freshly delivered couple of red roses in a vase with this note attached: “Heard you are ill, my ex-sister-in-law and I are flying out to see you” It was signed: “Forever your friend: C.A.”   A puzzled Polly rhetorically asked the silent fresh mourners, "Who is C.A.?"

                                          -----END----


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Glenn <><
Just West of Yesterday