Daily Journal Entry #15

Juan pulled is his tight tie loose as he walked out of the building, suitcase in hand. He wiggled the knot back and forth, and with one hand, slipped the fabric through and around before pulling the tie off all together. He crossed the parking lot determinedly, trying to make up for lost time. The meeting he’d been in had run over by more time than he’d allotted for and now Juan was late.
He reached deep into the pocket of his dark grey suit jacket for his keys, jangling them in his left hand as approached his sedan. Juan unlocked the door and slid inside the car smoothly, setting his briefcase on the passenger seat.
He took his cell phone out of his pocket and placed it in the cup holder before sliding his sunglass on and careening out of the parking lot.
He rose out of his bed, down the cold wooden steps and into the living room where Abuelo was positioned a foot away from the television screen. His thick grey mustached trembled as he repeated the prayers emanating from the television’s blown-out speakers. The Pope was on television, conducting a mass to the masses. His robe looked dull on the old television screen, but Abuelo was looking at him with a reverence and dedication that awed Juan.
“Dios me vendiga,” Abuelo whispered, making the sign of the cross over his chest. He closed his eyes briefly and bowed his head in a moment of silent prayer.
Juan waited by the doorway of the living room until Abuelo raised his head again and continued to watch the mass.
“Morning, Abuelo,” Juan said as he passed behind his grandfather’s wheelchair. He grabbed the handles and eased the squeaky chair back from the television, knowing full well that the minute he left the room, the wheels would pull the old man forward until his old drooping nose was mere inches away from the screen again. Juan smiled, kissed the old man on the cheek, and then walked out of the room.
“We’re going to need you to come in and identify the body,” the faceless voice announced though the phone.
Juan pulled the back of his hand across his face, wiping the tears from his face. “Is there anyone else? My cousins, maybe…”
“No, sir, they won’t come. You’re the only person. You’re it.”
Juan knew it, even before the officer on the line said it. He knew he was the only one. Abuelo only trusted him, only really loved him, only wanted to be with him. Maybe it was because Juan was the only one who cared, or maybe it was because Abuelo saw some of himself in his grandson. But Juan knew it, he knew he was the only one.
“And then, what about the…uh, the body?”
“Well, once the autopsy is completed and our investigation is closed, we will release the body to you, and you can proceed with the funeral arrangements.”