The engine thrums steadily as I cruise down Main Street, letting the warm air wash over me in waves. The street lamps give the road and the surrounding humid air a remarkable golden tinge. On the road, there's nobody behind me. There's nobody in front of me. For a minute, it is easy to think that I am the only person in the world. But as I pass by the nursing home, I see one room, illuminated by a hard florescent light. The curtains are not drawn and a white face stares out at me - drawn and crumpled with age and reason, love and dissappointment. For a second it seems as though our eyes connect - just for an instant, it seems as though she can see me, even through the twilight and almost opaque glow of the light hitting the fog. I have never met this woman. In fact, I have no idea who she is, or what her story might be. But something about her brings tears to my eyes. &quot;Goodbye,&quot; I whisper, as my car passes the building, tears pricking my eyes. And in a way, it feels like I'm saying goodbye to myself. 2007-10-05T04:58:46Z http://ficlets.com/feed/story/10820 <p>Heartbreaking,and beautiful at the same time.A five hankerchief ficlet.</p> http://ficlets.com/stories/10820?basename=16075 2007-10-05T04:58:46Z SKermitgorf http://ficlets.com/authors/kermitgorf <p>Oh, [pens&#38;feathers], you make me cry. I was all joyous over finding another of tour stories, only to find it as sad as your others!</p> http://ficlets.com/stories/10820?basename=16051 2007-10-05T01:38:16Z Stovohobo http://ficlets.com/authors/stovohobo