Northern_Lights_2017

51 breaths. He swallowed back tears, sighed, and tried again: “I am going to miss you, son. I love you.” “Dad, thanks for all you’ve done for me. You’re the best single parent I’ve ever known. I know this road hasn’t been an easy one for you either. But I hope I can be someday half as great a man as you are.” “Thank you. It means everything to hear you say that. I’m glad all those trips to the zoo weren’t in vain.” The two of them both laughed. The father continued, “I know you’re going to hate me for this, but I knew I would regret it if I didn’t do this.” He reached into the back seat of the car and pulled out an almost unrecognizable object. “Son, this penguin brought you through so many ups and downs. You can store it away in some box for all I care. But please take this. I know it’s silly of me, but please take it so I can feel better knowing you have it. It’ll be like a small part of me is with you on this next adventure I don’t get to take part in.” “Only if you promise that it’s okay if it stays hidden. I don’t want people getting the wrong impression, Dad. I’m not a kid anymore.” The older man’s eyes filled with tears for the hundredth time that day. “Of course, of course.” The older man took the younger one in a large embrace. “Thanks for doing this one last favor for your old man. Again, I love you, son, and I am so proud of you.” “Goodbye, Dad.” “Goodbye, son. Goodbye, Monty.” They hugged one last time, and the young man turned—stuffed animal in hand—and walked towards his dorm and his new home for the next four years. Life continued on as it might normally do when someone goes off to school. The young man studied hard for all of his classes. He partied some. He met pretty girls. He dabbled in some sports. But best of all, he made it home to visit his aging father as often as he could. Those were the young man’s favorite days. Even though he was making lifelong friends and his best memories at college, his dad was still his best friend and his favorite person to make memories with. And, of course, the father would always inquire after Monty. He would always assure his father that Monty was alive and well and always in the same living space as him. The young man would admit—maybe somewhat ashamedly—that Monty’s presence was always comforting, even if he couldn’t see him. As the young man approached his senior year of college, life got much busier for him and he visited his father less and less. But whenever the young man made it out to his father’s house, he noticed that things were always in disarray. Each time he came, it would be messier than the previous visit. Piles of bills would be sitting on his father’s desk, unsorted. Whenever the young man would arrive on a Friday, his father would ask when he started coming on Tuesdays. But the young man decided not to worry about it and simply attributed it to his father’s active and hectic lifestyle. One afternoon, the young man received a phone call from a number he didn’t recognize. Normally, he wouldn’t answer unknown calls, but he felt compelled to answer anyway. “Hello?” “Hi, this is Dr. Rehan from Memorial Hospital and Family Care. I’m calling about your father. I don’t know if you’re aware of this, but his health is declining seriously. I’m afraid that I have to inform you that we have diagnosed him with Alzheimer’s.” The young man’s phone dropped to the ground. His mouth stood agape as he slumped on the couch behind him. His face fell into his hands and his shoulders began to violently bob up and down. Soon, his whole body was convulsing with uncontrollable sobs. But after a few moments, his head snapped up as if he had had an idea. He fumbled his way across the room until he reached a small box tucked away behind piles of miscellaneous items. He opened it gingerly and took out a dusty object. He hugged it to his chest and began to weep once more. His mind went back to all of the adventures he had had with this now decrepit penguin. He remembered how his dad had promised that this bird would bring him comfort and happiness, even on the darkest of days. But now this was the darkest day he had ever experienced, and even as he hugged Monty tighter, he felt nothing. He felt more scared than he ever had in his life, but he knew what he had to do. “Yes, I’m here to see my father. He was just recently admitted here and diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. I think they’re waiting to transfer him to an assisted care facility. I’m not sure if that’s in a special area or not.” “I know exactly who you’re talking about. He’s in room 303. Just right down the hall there on the right.” “Thank you.” The young man walked slowly down the hall and eventually made his way to the correct room. He stood outside for a moment seeming to contemplate whether or not he should actually go in. He knocked gingerly on the door and entered after hearing a “come in.” “Dad?” “Son. I’m so glad you’re here. Will you please tell me where I am? Or why I’m here?” The young man’s eyes filled with tears. “Dad, this is a hospital. You’re very sick. They’re having you stay here until they have a new place ready for you to live in not too far from here.” “I’m not sick! I want to go to my home with all my things. I don’t want to be here!” “Dad, Dad. It’s okay. Please calm down.” The young man took his father’s wrinkled, weak hands in his.