Two Feet On The Ground

Metallic clatter rang through the air as the cutlery dropped out of Robert’s hands, landing in a lifeless pile on the table. They only took them out, a beloved wedding present, on special occasions. He began arranging them- the silver standing out against the red table cloth. Pushing a scented candle to the centre of the table, his jittery hands made it difficult to light. The flame danced on the end of the matchstick and wavered before it took hold.

He hobbled over to the kitchen counter, his legs weary from many years of working on his feet, and moved a vase of flowers to a small stand. Making his way back to the table he heard a breathy voice call out his name.

“Bob”, his wife’s soft voice came from the bedroom, “are you there?”

“Yes love! “ He replied back, peering his head through the doorway.

“Could you help me up?” Sarah lifted her hand slightly.

He had been trying to get her used to getting out of bed and talking small steps although he knew it caused her a lot of pain. Sarah wanted to get out of bed today and get as far away from it as she could. She hated feeling so helpless.

He made his way around the bed, holding his arms out to comfort her. With one hand on her back he helped her sit up and placed some pillows behind her to keep her upright. She pointed towards her bed side table which had a brunette wig laying on top. “You don’t need it, lovely” her husband said softly. She didn’t make a sound but gave a slight sigh and nodded that she did: so he passed it to her. Her eyes half closed and low to the ground: the brown hair a reminder of what she had lost. 

Robert pushed the hair behind her ear and lifted her chin up gently; looking at her with eyes as longingly as the day they met. He wanted to make this Valentine’s Day special for her: he didn’t know how many more they would get. “You look stunning.” He gave her a cheesy smile and winked at her. “Stop it,” she smiled and rolled her eyes, he always complemented her- even when she couldn't see what he saw.

“Alright, are you ready?” He tilted his head and waited attentively for her reply. “Yeah, I’m ready”, her words dissipating into the air around her. She slid the duvet off herself and moved her legs one at a time. Resting her hands at the edge of the bed, she slid herself forward slightly.

Robert put his hands in front of her for support and she began to use them to try and push herself up. She was too weak. She tried again. And again. Nothing. Nothing could help her find the energy she needed to get to her feet. 

It hurt Robert to see her this way, but he had seen her struggle like this so many times. He knew she would be able to get up. Even if she didn’t.

She rested for a moment and then tried a little harder, using his whole forearm to take her weight. Her chest rumbled with pain and it was only a moment before an intense coughing fit erupted out of her.

Finally she made it to her feet and shuffled forward using Robert as support. She stood steady for a moment-  but it wouldn’t last long. Pain trickled through her body. “I need to sit down Bob.” Her eyes drained of all hope.

“It’s ok darling”, he whispered, helping her back on the bed and taking a seat beside her, “we can eat the food in here.”

Her head drooped again. Her bed was now her prison. “Give me a few minutes and I’ll be back.” Robert helped her get comfortable again and left the room.

He served up the meal and brought it to his wife. They ate the meal in their bedroom together, and the mood began to lift. As laughter filled the room, they could forget about the difficult situation they were in. They could focus on the time they were spending together: not the time she had left. Now and again her cough would interrupt them, crying for attention, but they were too caught up in their time together to notice.

As the evening sank into a drowsy haze: so did his wife. The conversation died peacefully; the laughter faded.

Robert removed his hands which were clasped in hers. He watched her take slow and shallow breaths. Then stood up, careful not to wake her, and took the empty plates out to the kitchen.

A few hours had passed since they had their meal. Robert was slumped on the sofa and Sarah was asleep in their room. The week before he went through boxes in the attic to find their wedding album. They had pictures of their wedding scattered throughout the house, but he thought it would be romantic to look through them all today.  He had planned on looking through them together but he didn’t want to wake her now and started to flick through it on his own.

In his old age, Robert’s hearing had begun to fade. The only sound he always heard: his wife’s voice. “Bob”, Sarah said softly.

He turned to see his frail wife standing in the doorway of their bedroom. Robert’s face lit up: she was standing on her own. His heart began to beat a little faster as he made his way over to her.

“I want to sit down with you.” One of her hands reaching forward; the other holding the door frame. He placed the photo album down carefully, glancing at the page he was on as he closed it. 

Taking her hands in his, they both smiled. She had made it out of the bedroom. They spoke a little as she struggled across the living room: Robert taking on a lot of her weight. Sarah’s raspy breath grew louder. She began to shake.

“Nearly there love”, Robert encouraged her tenderly, “just a few more steps.” They shared a look: half hope and half desperation.

A couple of steps later she was sinking into the sofa. The seat was low down to the floor and she knew it would be difficult to stand up again. This didn’t matter to her right now.

Robert made sure she was alright; then adjusted her wig. She took over and fixed it a little bit more, before he brushed the hair behind her ear like he had done earlier that night. 

She leaned towards the coffee table and took the album into her hands. They stopped shaking. Holding each memory in her gaze for a moment, she flicked through the pages. Each one was filled with fading memories: lost family members and forgotten places. It still brought her joy. Turning the album to her husband, he joined her in reminiscing. 

Before they reached the end of the album Robert took out something hidden under the coffee table and handed it to her: her Valentine’s day present. She unwrapped it and tears filled her eyes; a hint of a smile spreading across her face. He had framed her favourite photo of their wedding day: just him and her.

Her lips began to part- about to say something. But she couldn’t: her tired lungs finally having their say. The desire to move closer guided her into his arms. “I know”, he whispered and he wrapped his arms around her tighter.

Moments passed. They both knew this wouldn’t last long. Enjoying the freedom while they had it, the freedom from their limitations, they stayed close. The only thing that filled their minds: the only thing that mattered to them: each other.