Countin Flowers

Posted on Tue May 10th, 2022 @ 6:37am by Captain Gary Taylor

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Gary and Lia's Quarters
Timeline: Backpost
718 words - 1.4 OF Standard Post Measure

OOC: A back post, before Gary met, fell in love and married Lia.


Gary sat on the edge of his bed in the bedroom of his ranch. It was quiet not a sound could be heard. He shook his head no, that was wrong the word he was looking for was dead. His parents had died in an accident years earlier and now his dear, precious Catlin had joined them in eternal sleep. The service was over, and she been buried beneath the big oak tree in the backyard. A spot she had always loved and where they would sometimes have a picnic lunch.

His head hung and his shoulders shook as tears streamed down his cheeks in twin torrents. Quiet words of condolence had been spoken and then the mourners had silently left, and he was completely and irrevocably alone. He sat and cried, he felt lost, like when as small child he had gotten lost in the nearby woods and had panicked, thinking he was never going to see his mother and father again. That he would die all alone. But of course, he had been found, this was different, there was no rescue or do over button.

His world had been turned upside down, shattered, crashed and burned. He knew his friends and superior officers were concerned about him but with a stoic look pasted on his face he assured them he would be fine. The word liar! reverberated in his brain. He was far from fine. His heart had been ripped out. He railed, screamed and cursed at the heavens for taking the only woman he had and would ever love. He would never get close to anyone ever again. He would be professional and polite but at the same time cool and distant. Walls would go up to protect himself from the danger of caring and getting close to anyone ever again or them to him. It would be better this way he told himself, no more heartbreak or lonely days and endless nights.

He got up from the bed and walked over to an old fashion stereo that he and Catlin would put old records on and dance to. Going through the records he found the song he wanted. A song by the Staler Brothers. One that showed the facade he was living. Placing it on the player he turned it on. Soon the first notes filled the room, and the song began.


I keep hearin' you're concerned about my happiness
But all that thought you're givin' me is conscience I guess
If I were walkin' in your shoes, I wouldn't worry none
While you and your friends are worried about me, I'm havin' lots of fun
Countin' flowers on the wall
That don't bother me at all
Playin' solitaire 'til dawn with a deck of 51
Smokin' cigarettes and watchin' Captain Kangaroo
Now don't tell me, I've nothin' to do
Last night I dressed in tails, pretended I was on the town
As long as I can dream it's hard to slow this swinger down
So please don't give a thought to me, I'm really doin' fine
You can always find me here, I'm havin' quite a time
Countin' flowers on the wall
That don't bother me at all
Playin' solitaire 'til dawn with a deck of 51
Smokin' cigarettes and watchin' Captain Kangaroo
Now don't tell me, I've nothin' to do
It's good to see you, I must go, I know I look a fright
Anyway my eyes are not accustomed to this light
And my shoes are not accustomed to this hard concrete
So I must go back to my room and make my day complete
Countin' flowers on the wall
That don't bother me at all
Playin' solitaire 'til dawn with a deck of 51
Smokin' cigarettes and watchin' Captain Kangaroo
Now don't tell me, I've nothin' to do
Don't tell me, I've nothin' to do

As the song ended Gary fell back on the bed, taking a picture of Catlin from the bedside night table, stared at it, holding it to his chest and cried anew. "I will always love you Catlin my love, always. I promise." He whispered as his eyes closed and the crushing loss, emptiness and pain marched on with no sign of slowing down or relenting.

 

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