An evening of Sludge

Bloganuary 2024 Day 8 Prompt – What are your thoughts on the concept of living a very long life?

The short easy answer for me would be that the length of time is irrelevant, what’s happening in that time is what matters but I don’t feel very introspective today so here is a bit of fiction instead. Hope you like it.

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Jessie and Clark – Life after Friday

“I’m dying,” the woman takes a shallow breath and opens her eyes, they are bloodshot and appear sunken into her face, dark circles looking like faded bruises add colour to an otherwise pallid face. Her lips are dry, cracked and thin with dehydration. Brown hair, slightly matted and greasy is pushed back from her forehead.

“I’m dying Clark.”

“You aren’t dying Jessie,” comes the response, Clark glances up from his book and gives a small smile, “you aren’t dying.”

“It’s okay Clark, I’ve had a good life, a great life. We’ve had some adventures haven’t we?” Jessie whispers, pulling a faded green blanket up around her shoulders, shivering slightly as she tucks her narrow hands under the edge.

“Yes Jessie, we’ve had some excellent adventures. A great life has been led.” Clark responds distractedly while continuing to read.

Jessie rolls to her side with a groan and pulls her legs up toward her chest, huddled under the blanket she is a pitiful sight. Look carefully and you can see the remnants of beauty in her high cheekbones and the dull green eyes that used to sparkle with fun and laughter.

“I always thought I’d die young, youngish. It’s too bright in here. My head is pounding Clark and I think I’m going to throw-up again.” She groans and struggles to raise herself on the pillows, pushing against the back cushions of the couch to gain some leverage.

“I have no power, all my strength is gone, I used to be so strong,” she whimpers.

Clark leans over and reaches out his hand and gently pats her shoulder, “It’s okay Jessie, just a little bit longer and it will be over, try to go back to sleep.” He settles back in the armchair and resumes reading.

“I don’t know Clark, I think this is it, and I’ve got so much more to offer, I can do more with my life,” tears of self-pity roll down Jessies sunken cheeks and she closes her eyes while rubbing the blanket across her face.

“For goodness sakes Jessie, stop whining, you are not dying, not yet at least but I might just smother you if you don’t pull yourself together. You have a HANGOVER!”

Clark puts his book down on the table and hands Jessie a glass of water, “drink this, and next time you go out after work, stay away from that disgusting happy hour sludge!“