The Last Time I Saw You
It’s a busy afternoon, and the second shift staff is arriving. I stand at my desk, poolside, as employees line up for their shift assignment. One by one, they step forward and state their names. I run my finger down the list of names I know so well, without a face, and announce their assignment.
“Mikhail,” he said.
“Kiddie Slide,” I responded.
“Olga,” she said.
“Big slide,” I responded.
“Aleksandr,” he said.
“Large slide, wait.” I look up from my list of names and assignments and know this is not Aleksandr. “What is your name?”
“Aleksandr.”
“I know you’re not Aleksandr. What’s your name?”
“Sergey. Aleksandr had to work his other job, so I came for him.”
“What name did you use when you punched in?”
“Aleksandr.”
“Go punch in under your real name and head to the big slide. Thanks for coming in.”
Sergey smiled, and as he walked away, said, “We didn’t think you’d notice.”
“I noticed.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I see a man with a young boy waiting patiently. “Adam! Let me finish checking these guys in, and I’ll be with you in five,” I said.
I hurry to give everyone their shift assignments, check the list to ensure I haven’t missed anyone, set my clipboard aside, and turn to Adam and his son, Michael.
“Hi, it’s so good to see you,” I said, hugging Adam and picking up Michael to toss him in the air.
Michael giggled. “Hi,” he said.
“We were here swimming, so I wanted to come say hello,” said Adam.
“That’s so nice you thought of me. How are you?” I asked.
“We are good, really good. How are you?” said Adam.
“Good, thank you. I wish I could visit longer, but I have to get back to the water.”
“No problem, I just wanted to say hi.”
Adam hugged me. “Come on, buddy, say goodbye.”
“Bye,” Michael waved as they walked away.
Two weeks later
Ring, ring, ring
“Hello,” I answered.
“Hi, it’s me, he said.”
“Hi, what’s the matter?”
“Adam died.”
Schommer.Life 