Fast Fiction: Old Comrades
Old comrades fade away, as Richard Mallinson’s story reveals.
To read more of Richard’s fast fiction please click on http://www.openwriting.com/archives/fast_fiction/
'There can't be many of us left,' said Tom.
'No,' I said, 'I don't suppose there are ... but let's not be too gloomy, eh? I've come all this way to see you and -'
'Oh, no, I won't be gloomy,' he said. 'I'm just thinking that some of my best times were in the army ... you wouldn't believe it'
'Oh, yes, I would,' I said, having my own memories.
*
A few months later I told Jack that I'd visited Tom but before I could go on he said, 'Haven't you heard ... Tom died last week.'
'Oh, god, that's really shocked me,' I said, sitting down.
'Now, now, come on,' said Jack, 'let's have a drop of the hard stuff, shall we?'
'Ah, that's better,' I said, sipping a whisky and soda. 'Just what the doctor ordered.'
'Actually, in my case,' said Jack, 'it's just what the doctor didn't order... but who the hell cares at my age?'
*
Jack died a fortnight later.
At the funeral Walter said, 'You must come and visit me in the home they've put me' - but I made my excuses.
'And don't feel obliged to visit me, either,' I said.
