[Apartment 409]
A Short Story by
David DeLane Snow
He had always joked that he read the obits just to make sure he didn’t read his own name in the paper; strange thing was - that morning his name was in there and it suddenly didn’t feel like a joke. His light headedness came into clear telescoping focus. Whirling thoughts of who in the world would have gone to such lengths to pay for such a prank ran through his mind. Funny. A lot of names came to him but none stuck for long as his interest pulled him back into a second reading of the article.
Other than the lower case typo of his middle initial, Thomas freaked at the brief but concise details of his short life. For starters thirty six was too young to die, and secondly - how could he be dead?
Looking up from the newspaper it suddenly dawned on him that he was standing in a wholly different apartment. It was the same tiny one bedroom economy, but the furnishings and décor were obviously not his own. He now had a 42” flat screen, a huge 55 gallon aquarium took up space along one side of the wall; and two black recliners were lit by one of those nude figure lamps he had always wanted to buy. The walls were hung with photos of family members he had never met before, and inspection of the bedroom quickly let him know that there was defiantly a female presence about. Thomas relished the idea of being a bachelor, so the ruffled skirt about the bed was almost a bigger jolt than reading of his own demise.
Feeling like he had just woken up in someone else’s home, Thomas went outside to the patio. The numbers on the front door still said 409 and the complex area was the same, with the tennis court to the right and parking lot on his left. Another wave of panic rolled over him as he stood in his vacant spot wondering where his Jeep was.
It was then that Thomas noticed a younger couple laden with groceries heading for his apartment, fumbling for their keys. Going over to them he called out, “Excuse me.”
The young man in his mid twenties and curly brown hair turned about in reply, “Yes sir?”
Wondering what he was going to say, Thomas blurted out, “How long have you been living here?”
The thin brunette smiled, “We got married yesterday and moved in two weeks ago.”
“I’m Sergio and this is Rebecca.”
Extending his hand to return the shake, “I’m - Thomas Reed. I use to live here - awhile back.”
Their smiles changed with a look of sympathy as Sergio conveyed his condolences, “Ah - sorry to hear about your friend. We were told someone had passed away in the apartment ‘bout a month ago.” Rebecca entered through the door leaving the two men on the patio. Thomas couldn’t help his side glance inside. “Were you close?” Asked the new tenant.
“Uh, yeah, yeah we were very close - friends, and it was a shock.” Stammered Thomas.
“You want to come in for a glass of tea?” Rebecca invitingly asked after having dropped off her load of groceries on the counter top. Sergio’s eyes bounced between his new bride and the stranger, questioning Thomas’ awkward pause, “Sure come on in, you can tell us about your friend.”
Catching himself staring wide eyed passed Rebecca, Thomas blushed, “Oh, thanks.” Then edged back into his old apartment.
{Still working on this one...}
