Terrors Shall Drive Him

Terrors shall make him afraid on every side, and shall drive him to his feet.  -Job 18:11

When it gets dark I begin to worry in earnest.

A quick trip to the shopping center usually takes all of two hours, but it’s now closer to six.

For the tenth time I check to see my ringer is on.

I have called her a dozen times.

She never empties out her voicemail so the inbox is full and I can’t leave a message.

I see this a small act of rebellion.

Fine.

I roll over and plug my chair into the charger,  positioned so I can look out the window.

I watch the cars go by, none hers.

Friday Fictioneers

23 comments

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  1. Russell Gayer

    I picture her as his caregiver or love interest. Either way, his inability to contact her is terribly frightening. It makes me wonder if she is intentionally ignoring his calls to further agravate his angst, or if something bad happened to her. Well done, Josh.

  2. granonine

    This is impressive. The absolute frustration of being bound to a wheelchair, unable to leave the house without help; the thoughtlessness–or deliberate choice–of his wife to leave him dangling, or perhaps leaving permanently? The story could go in several directions. Good writing.

  3. pennygadd51

    Nicely crafted. I wonder whether the “small act of rebellion” is against fate for having left the one she loves wheelchair-bound, or whether he’s a control freak, dominating her despite his physical helplessness.

  4. Fatima Fakier

    I didn’t catch the wheelchair, until I read the comments. Then it wondered how on earth did I miss his rolling movement. It must be scary when your caregiver goes missing. You portrayed his vulnerability and fear well.

Don't just stand there.