She surprised him one morning by rising before he did. She went to the kitchen and brewed coffee before she woke him up. It was a perfect crisp blue sky day. They had a fire in the Jotul to take the chill off. Marion made waffles with vanilla ice cream and maple syrup. They grinned like naughty little kids. He washed the dishes while she showered. They took a walk and held hands. They hadn’t held hands in years. He knew she’d taken her pills because he saw them on her napkin at breakfast. They reminded each other of the funny things the kids had done at camp over the years. They congratulated each other for having the good sense to buy and remodel the place.
He made lunch and she ate it. They took a big fleece throw out to the hammock and had a nap. When they woke up they listened to Fresh Air on NPR. He suggested they paddle out in the canoe to watch the sunset over camp like they used to do. He grabbed the big fleece throw. He saw her pill bottle on the bathroom sink. He took one. He grabbed a bottle of wine, some paper cups, and the cork screw. He situated her in front of the stern seat, wrapped up in the fleece, in charge of the wine. He paddled out on the ebb tide out to just before the undertow. He uncorked the wine. He rubbed her cheek, with his thumb, as she sat between his knees. As the sun slipped behind the roof line of shore camp, he held her tight as he rolled the canoe. The last thing he said was, “I’ve got you Marion, don’t worry. I’ve got you and we’re together.”
elroyjones 
ummmm… waffles…..
I wanted to have French toast.
No… waffles fit the mood better… don’t second guess your breakfast choices… this way lies madness.
Waffles are better because they like them. They didn’t invite me to breakfast anyhow and if they had I wouldn’t have gone because I want French toast.
That is just rude…
I thought so too. As things turned out I’m glad I didn’t go.
uh oh…
Should she be drinking wine with those pills???
Yes, she’s old, he’s old. She’s been drunk and naked and old so who cares.
Did you know that there are some very progressive nursing homes where the old people are not prohibited from having sex?
Why should they be???
Because historically they have been. I’ve always thought that was a little mean spirited. Apparently, there is a new approach and the elderly are treated with a lot more dignity.
I’m going to have to think about the nursing home in a different light. Maybe there will be parties!
It all depends… ha!
But I need addresses…
to the nursing home?
uh… yeah… too subtle?
until this very second yes, as a matter of fact. Being much older than I, you would have more knowledge of depends. It seems you’ve done your research, as we discussed in the new Victoria’s Secret line of adult diapers.
I did home health care for elderly and Parkinson’s patients…
Market research! Why did you stop?
The government stopped subsidizing it.
Of course, fuck the old people let’s build bombs. I bet you were amazing with your patients.
I had a knack… Old people love me almost as much as dogs and babies.
I KNEW it!
I am quite lovable in real life.
You’re just a marshmallow, everyone knows it. I bet the old people looked forward to your visits.
I would take them to the park and pop wheelies in the wheelchairs…
This does not surprise me. I hope I get to have a good time when I’m old. I hope you do too. Free the old people!
In their sexy support lingerie!
hahahahahahaha!
Yes, let’s not forget that! hahahahahahaha!
Or maybe we should.
Yes, support lingerie, an oxymoron whose time isn’t likely to come.
An untapped market… ha!!!!!
Yes, get him down of that high horse. Indulge, baby, indulge. The Days of Wine and Roses. I didn’t enjoy the dialogue about nursing homes, by the way.
Well it’s true. I read it in the paper this week- http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-07-23/sex-in-geriatrics-sets-hebrew-home-apart-in-elderly-care.html
It’s high time people in nursing homes were treated like adults. As I have said many times, the romantic relationship I am currently ensnared in will be the last one. I’m quite certain there is no one else on the planet who would be worth the effort. I will be addressing how we diminish our elderly later on.
The words “the end” pop into my mind. Or else there’s a steamy sex scene just ahead.
They would have gone to the nursing home reported on in the Bloomberg link I gave you but their application was rejected. In utter despondence, they chose a permanent departure. We will not be hearing more from them unless it is a the occasional blub…blub…blub.
Don’t I feel dumb. I misread the second to last line and had him rowing the canoe, not rolling, which would have been a happy ending — albeit not nearly as good — as they sail blissfully into their 80s, smoking cigars, drinking wine and popping pills.
PMAO did the same thing, maybe I need to use a different word. I am flattered that you took the time to read it twice. Have you never smelled a clove cigarette? They’ll rip the lungs right out of you but the aroma is worth it. I liked that you thought Hank was a bit too rigid.
You consistently make me laugh. “they sail blissfully…” Sounds like a plan to me!
Wow again. BAM!! What an ending. This has been a very powerful work. 😎
Thanks very much, Judith. I couldn’t bear the thought of them getting older and her remaining addicted.
I think the ending is genius — I understand perfectly why he made the choice he did. Really, a great story. Have you considered submitting it somewhere?
I’m going to submit it and wait patiently for the rejection notice!
You may get a few, but someone is going to publish it — likely because they understand it, deeply. Good luck!
Thank you.
I loved it… I was wondering why he took a pill…. now I know. I’ve got you…… Glad I didn’t read this before I went in the boat!
hahahahahahahaha! Me too!
Beautiful. A gorgeous story.
Thank you!