The Eye

A woman sat down on the bench facing his. 

Her name is Tammy, he thought, or Carol or Susan. 

She wore modest jeans and a t-shirt with three patriotic puppies on the front. 

I bet she could help me, he thought.

She shifted her purse when he sat down next to her. He took no offense. 

"Hi," he said, offering his hand. "My name's Fay."

She looked up at him. He stuttered throughout his introduction. She'd had a nephew that suffered from a stutter. "Hello," she said kindly, receiving his hand. "I'm Carol."

"Do you mind if I sit here? I'm kind of nervous and company always makes me feel better."

"Go right ahead." She watched him place his backpack and a paper bag next to his feet. His eyes wandered among the other passengers in the terminal. Every so often his body would make an awkward, jerky spasm. "So where are you headed to?"

"Um, Memphis. My aunt lives up there. We're going to be staying there."

"'We?'"

"Yes. My mother and father and I."

"Ah. Well that sounds lovely. I've never been there." She paused and looked at the lettering on his shirt.  "I pray you're just leaving until it passes?"

"No, our home's gone," he said while twiddling his thumbs and looking at his feet. 

"Oh . . . I really sorry to hear that."

"Thanks! But don't be. We'll get through." He looked up, smiling. "Do you live here?"

"No, we live in New Orleans as well."

"Cool! Is your home safe?" 

"Oh, yes. We live on the northern side. High and dry, I guess you could say."

"Then why are you leaving?"

"Well, my mother's been feeling tired and ill lately, so I'm going up to see her. I think now is as good a time as any."

"Ooo. Okay. I haven't seen my mother since the storm got close."

"Your dad must be with you, then."

"Nope."

"Are you traveling by yourself?"

"Yup. They're both up there waiting for me."

"Well be safe. I know how scary traveling by yourself can feel. This is my first time too."

"Really?"

"Unfortunately, yes." 

"Well, I guess you really aren't all by yourself. I'm here."

Carol laughed. "I guess you're right, Fay."

"Would you like some sandwiches my grandmother made? Here," he bent down and grabbed the paper bag and stuck it out towards her face, "smell them! They always smell so good."

She got her nose close to the opening of the bag and took a big, dramatic whiff. Her nose tingled and she felt light headed. "Why, I . . ." The lights got brighter and then everything went black.

- - -

When she woke up, she was dead.