The Guest

Jake was going to be the most important person today, and he was going to enjoy the fanfare and all looks he was sure he would get, from well-dressed ladies later on. Therefore, he wanted to be smartly dressed for the big occasion and he took out from the wardrobe a suit that he hadn't worn, since getting married 23 years ago. 

He took it carefully out of the wardrobe and then removed the cover before brushing it gently with the back of his hand. It was a black Ralph Lauren, expensive tread, tailored trousers that just hung from his leg by a spare inch, so not to be drainpipes but also not to be swinging in the air. 

After he had put the suit on he stood in front of the mirror and looked at himself up and down, god he was a handsome fella, he thought to himself. However, he had forgotten the last two important items. He walked to his side drawers and pulled a small box out of the top drawer, opening it slowly as if for the first time, he revealed an expensive Rolex watch and he put it on carefully not wanting to scratch it in the slightest. 

Then once his arms were sorted, he sat back down on the side of his bed where he slipped on a pair of smart black slip-on shoes. These shoes had been polished back to black with a rag a hundred or more times over the last week, and he was so sure that he could see his reflection in them. Good work, he thought to himself, smiling into his shoes. Once dressed and sure he was totally ready, he took a slow walk downstairs. 

His hand stroked the banister slowly with each step as if it was something he would strangely miss. Once outside he turned the key in the lock and took a weirdly long look at the keyhole and blowing it to ensure anymore money spiders thinking of setting up home on his handle would think again before getting into the big black limo that awaited him. 

At the meeting place there was all sorts of commotion as people rang others to see if they were coming or not, and others ran around asking couples and quartets, if they wanted a cup of tea. All the while a young girl walked around with her hands stretched out collecting bouquets of flowers people had brought along. 

Some singles worried they would look out of place without someone to hang onto but in the end the commotion died down and people realised it didn't matter if they were alone or in a group. The people hurried into the hall, where every seat was filled and once all bums were resting the music started. Jake had arrived just as the people were nearly all into the hall and waited at the back, ready for his grand entrance, picking tiny pieces of fluff off his suit as his OCD demanded. 

A woman in a dark dress stood at the front of the hall reading something he could not quite make out. but he was pretty sure whatever she said it was fitting for such an important occasion. Then the back doors swung open with a flurry and it was time for Jake to make his grand entrance. 

The crowded hall stood up in respect and all stared at him as he passed. Some saluted, some sobbed and some just stood still and motionless. Jake was happy as he passed his family and loved ones giving them a smile and blowing his daughter a kiss. 

For today Jake was the main guest at his own funeral, and he was a rockstar. 

© 2023 All Rights Reserved Robert Reid

This was my winning entry to the Writing For Recovery competition during Sep-Oct 2023