Lasting Image Page 2
by Lance Allen
***
Do you remember?
Her eyes glassy, a swollen expression of sadness drips from her chin. She repeats the question.
Do you remember?
His eyes roll slowly, heavy lids drop, pause, then rebound. He labors to pull air into his lungs, wheezing, fighting back the urge to vomit. He hears her words but cannot make sense of them. The sky swims overhead. Clouds. Birds. Chaos. He shudders. His heart sinks. He tries to speak. Nothing comes out.
I know you remember. I know you do. It's me. Johnny. It’s Gayle. Talk to me.
Who's Johnny? I don't feel like Johnny. I feel like going to sleep.
He coughs up a clot. It makes a mess on her shirt.
Oh my god Johnny. Don't die.