Chapter 14

Ferris Long woke up for work at six-thirty on Monday morning. He got dressed after a good hot shower. He opened the curtains of his bedroom and realized that it would be yet another scorcher of a day. The sun streamed into his bedroom and cast a rectangular beam on his soft creamy carpet. He headed towards the kitchen and switched on the kettle for coffee. While the kettle started up, he got milk from the fridge and poured some into a cup he took from the cupboard. He added sugar and two scoops of coffee.

Ferris sat down at a smaller table with 4 chairs, which was probably meant to be a dining table for a small family. He placed his coffee on the table and lit a cigarette. He sent a plume of smoke towards the window with a view of the ocean. Ferris recalled the strange things that happened over the weekend, the weird kids in the bar. How did they know all that information about him? Maybe it was all just a bad dream or maybe he had too much to drink. Sometimes the mind plays tricks on a person, especially when one is on medication for depression as well. Ferris remembered the psychiatrist told him he should try to cut down on his drinking and exercise more often, but then again, life was too short to cut out the little enjoyments of life. Smoke was another habit he had to get rid of, but how can he have a cup of coffee without it? Those two were best friends.

Ferris remembered the young man's face and tried to recall where he had seen him before, but his memory did not reveal anything. Why were they all acting so strange? What has gotten into the kids nowadays? No more respect for their elders. If cancer had not robbed him of his wife, she would have had an answer. She was the only person who would have been able to talk some sense into these youngsters. She had a knack for them. The kids somehow loved her, something he could never understand. They probably felt the love she had inside towards children because she could not have any of her own. Ferris knew life was unfair in so many ways, but why did it only apply to good people? Sometimes undeserving people have children and shortly thereafter one would read in the newspapers that another child has been raped or abused. Some people even murder their children through abortion while others by brute force. Yet again, if Andrea had been blessed with a child, Ferris was certain that their child would have had one of the better mothers in the world. Ferris's mind again drifted towards the youngsters from Saturday night. He recalled a disturbing memory. One of the youngsters said that his deceased wife was with them. Ferris knew that could not be true. Andrea was good at heart and soul. The only place where she would be was heaven, not with those little cock suckers. But how on earth did they know her name? She had been dead for over six years.

Ferris looked at his hands when he remembered something more disturbing. The youngster in the toilet said, 'It all starts with your left hand.' There was nothing wrong with either one of them. Ferris's left hand still wore the wedding ring despite the death of his wife. Other than that Ferris thought he needed to clip his nails for they were far too long for his liking. Although still neat, Ferris preferred them short. Something he was particular about. He supposed everyone had their own little obsessions.

Ferris realised that it was time to leave for work. He preferred to be at his office at least half an hour early so that he could check his e-mails before his day actually started. He placed his empty cup in the zinc, took his cigarettes from the table and headed for the front door. He took his car keys from a wooden plank against the wall. He stopped for a moment to look at a photograph of him and his wife taken many years ago. She had a smile and a sparkle in her eyes. He remembered how happy she had always been even through the last few painful months before the cancer took her. Although she was dead, Ferris sensed her presence in the house from time to time. Next to the photo was a small wooden cross with the words IN GOD WE TRUST engraved on it. Ferris was ready for the day. He turned towards the door and felt a smile forming on his face.