“See ya when I get back Pops!”

Of course he never answered. Or for that matter, even gestured very much. It was so hard seeing my father that way. A man who was everything I wanted to be but probably never would add up to. So vulnerable to the world he worked so hard to be a part of.

“Today is Friday Pops. That means we have the entire weekend to enjoy.”

We all had a great weekend. My brothers came down that Saturday and Sunday and along with my mom and me, we all gathered around my father and just enjoyed each others’ company. I even think I saw my father crack a smile a few times that weekend. Maybe it was just my imagination; he’s too weak to smile.

As I lay in bed the following Monday morning, all I could think of was the exciting weekend the family had.

“I think I’ll take a personal holiday today. No school for me. I’ll spend another day wit Pops.”

I repositioned myself in the bed to catch a little more sleep but something kept me awake. Something is out of place or just plain missing.

“Oh my God, its way to quiet,” I screamed in my mind. “The drone is gone!”

I rushed into my father’s room only to see Terry removing the green tentacles from my fathers’ nose. The beige box had won. My mother came into the room almost immediately after I did.

“I’m sorry,” Terry said remorsefully. “Mr. Donaldson is gone. She couldn’t even look us in the eyes as if my fathers’ death were her fault.

“Shortly after you left the room Mrs. Donaldson, he passed away.”

I stood there looking at my father in disbelief. I stuck my finger under his nose to see if he were really dead. I felt nothing and in a way, that’s what I felt I had…nothing. Class has been cancelled indefinitely. Mr. Donaldson had retired. No more story telling time students. Let’s hope you paid attention. A lost art has just lost, a true artist.