The Gestation Factor

Since they didn't use much of the continuous, sheet fed paper anymore, he figured the sample would be safe behind the boxes. It was probably the safest place to keep it.

Satisfied that he had found the safest place for the samples, he hurried back to the lab to shut down the equipment and get ready to leave for the day. The ringing telephone not only shocked him but interrupted his remaining thoughts about the ride with Elizabeth. He walked over to the gray steel desk and picked up the receiver. "Hello," he said followed by, "and who is calling?"

He placed the telephone receiver back in the cradle and walked steadily toward the huge X-ray machine before suddenly collapsing to the floor as if all the life had gone out of his body.

Three hours later, Elizabeth rang the doorbell at her grandfather's apartment. She had stopped to pick up a few things for him at the mall. She always brought him a few groceries, toiletries and maybe a meal from one of the fast food restraints in town. When there wasn't an answer she knocked very loudly a few times just in case he was in the bathroom or maybe asleep. There still wasn't an answer and she tested the doorknob and found the door to be unlocked. She called out for him to come to the door and when he didn't answer, she warned him that she was entering the room. Maybe he had gone to the doctor or even gone for a short walk or something, she thought.

The first thing she saw when she entered the small apartment was her grandfather sitting comfortably in the easy chair with his feet at rest on the cushioned footstool. At first, she thought she would just leave and let him rest but then decided that since she had come all that distance to visit with him that she may as well awaken him. After all, he could sleep anytime and he probably would be happy to see her. He seemed to enjoy the visits she didn't want to deny him any pleasure that she could give him.

She walked toward him but before she could reach the chair where he was resting, he suddenly moved. "Oh, well if it isn't Elizabeth," he said without turning his head. It's so pleasant to see you again. How are you doing dear?"

She thought it was strange that he knew who she was without actually seeing her. Maybe he smelled her perfume or maybe he sensed her presence somehow? Whatever the reason was, it gave her the creeps. Even more curious was the fact the television was on but she figured he had dozed off to sleep while watching it. She had seen him do that quite a few times in the last few years. She sensed that something wasn't quite right but just couldn't figure out what it was. As she moved forward the body of the man she always called, "grandpa", he turned and the head looked directly at her. His gray hair was "messy" to say the least and his eyes were rolling from side to side as if trying to find her. He now stood up without much effort and Elizabeth knew that was unusual because he had some difficulty in getting up and sitting down because of the early stages of Arthritis.

The head began to move back and forth like a radar antenna searching for something to lock onto. With a little effort, it finally stopped and the eyes seemed to focus on her. The lips of the old man trembled as if he was trying to form some words.