Dead Man’s Face

John was driving his car at the highway, his soft hands steering. The car moved in a swift and straight direction. There were no other cars present. The tall trees covered most of the sunlight, darkening his sight. A female soprano opera singer started singing in Italian, coming from the radio. The radio suddenly changed stations resulting in a mix of different sounds. "Heavy traffic is expected at MacArthur Avenue", a radio announcer said. Meanwhile a man doing an impression of a woman started, "Honey I'm Home", followed by a bunch of laughter. "Oh, In heaven there'll only be you an me", a Texan started singing until he is interrupted by the voice of a young woman who sang the words, "Beautiful stranger; beautiful danger". By this time John's mouth kept opening and closing as he tried to calm himself down. The radio kept changing stations at an alarming rate. John stopped his car as he turned off the radio. He then started it again and moved on when another car at the intersection broomed closer and closer.

John woke up in the middle of a pure white room. He looked at his bruised body, not knowing where he was. The window only showed the plain blue sky. He then opened his mouth and held a deep breath before going back to sleep.

His father moved his wheelchair. "I built a ramp here just for you", he said to him as he moved his wheelchair, approaching the ramp. The wood that supported the wheelchair moved unsteadily as the wheels go up. "Andrew, it's not steady you might cause him more pain", an old woman, John's mother, shouted as she walked the stairs up. Andrew struggled to push the wheelchair up. "Margaret help me", he said. Margaret, who was already a the porch, moved to the ramp and helped John move up in his wheelchair. John's face was still and pale, like a dead man's face.

The three were now seated together in the dining room. One chair was moved out in order to make room for John and his wheelchair. Margaret started, "Dearest Lord, we thank you for our son's safety. We thank that he's safe here, with us. And we thank you because I know he's going to feel much better. All of us are here because of your grace. Amen".

Andrew rolled the wheelchair softly to a bedroom. He opened the door and left the wheelchair in the middle of the room. He carried John's light body into the bed and tucked him in like a little child, his face still pale. "Do you want anything else", Andrew asked. "No, thank you papa", John replied. "Goodnight son", Andrew told him as he exited the room. As he shut the door, a picture frame fell to the ground, the glass breaking into pieces. An old picture of John smiling.

"Is he asleep yet", Margaret asked.

"No not yet", Andrew replied.

Andrew then took a seat at the couch beside Margaret.

"What happened to our son", Margaret asked.

"Well, he got into an accident and is still very shocked about it"

"No, I meant why he became the way he is now"

"I guess he just grew up"

"I mean, he barely even talks anymore. When he was little was the most talkative and brightest person in the room"

"Margaret, give it a rest. We all change"

"I know we all do but why did it had to happen to our son"

Andrew opened the curtains revealing the sunlight. John was already awake. "Good Morning", he said to his son. He then lifted his body, feeling it gained a few pounds. He moved it to the wheelchair and headed to the dining room.

Margaret walked down aisle four; Cereals. She took a box of 'Fruity Os'. "Cereal, what do you need that for", a woman spoke. "Long time no see, Margaret", she continued. "Kiara", exclaimed Margaret. "I haven't seen you since my son was in High School, how are you". "I'm good, how about your son, is he okay", asked Kiara. Margaret let out a small sigh. She replied "He's still recovering". "That's good.", said Kiara.

Andrew opened the faucet. He carried John to the bathtub full of water.

Margaret had encountered another friend at the market. "It's so tragic. I included him in my own prayers. May the good lord bless him", she said. "Thank you", was all Margaret could say.

Andrew had already taken John to his room.

"You know I saw Kiara today, guess what she talked to me about"

"What"

"She talked to me about John. Doris also talked to me about how she felt sorry for him. You know this is the only time they've talked to me for years"

John was in his bed, awake. He took a mirror from the bedside table and looked at his face. His eyes were drowning in tears. Even his lips were bruised. He moved closer to the edge of the bed and fell. Andrew and Margaret opened the door. "What did you do", Margaret shouted. They both helped John lay down again.

"I'm in pain", John said.

"We know you are but you'll overcome it like you always--"

"I'm in pain and nothing can heal me. I heard you last night, 'why did our son have to change'. I am in pain, in deep deep pain! Do you know what it feels like to have a mother who doesn't like his own son. Do you know how it feels to be left out from the world. I may have suffered because of the incident but I have always felt pain even a long time ago. I also miss how I used to be. How I used to be so happy and full of life. I was even quite glad when I thought I would finally die. How I escaped from it, I don't even know. Now I have to live in pain for the rest of my damn life", with this John started to cry.

"Son, you know nothing about pain. You are a child and believe me when I say that your life will get better"

Margaret moved closer to his son and sat with him. Andrew also sat beside him and hugged both of them.

Later John took a glass, once again to look at his face. Suddenly he felt as if he saw the reflection of a dead man smiling at him.