They’d often see him gazing at his own reflection, minutes at a time spent in front of the mirror. It seemed to make him happy, alive. Awake. He didn’t have much happiness left in his life anymore.
He smiled back at his youthful face, the strong jawline clothed in a thick, dark goatee. His eyes twinkled, a sparkling, hypnotic blue that many a woman had been lost in. He loved his full head of hair, the jet-black shining in the slim ray of light peeking through the venetian blinds. A thin wisp of hair was mischievously snaking its way out of place down the centre of his forehead, threatening to destroy the perfect image he could see in front of him.
He licked his forefinger, and flattened the stray strands back into place, taking a half-step back to admire his handiwork. Satisfied that his job was complete, he took a moment to flex his muscles, marvelling at his own physique. He’d spent many a day running around campus to get fit and was delighted with the fruits of his labours, the press-ups and crunches definitely working wonders for his body.
He could do with a visit to the shops, he mused, a trip to update his wardrobe. His jeans were a little tight at the bottom for the current fashion, and he definitely needed to get some brighter shirts. Best check the diary he thought, oh and the bus times to see when he can make it in.
A night out would be needed soon as well he figured, smiling. Get the lads together and head out on the tiles, finding some discotheque. He shuffled his body, already imagining he was on the dance floor showing off his moves. Yes, a night out would be just the tonic.
He was about to make plans to go out when he saw a beautiful young lady making her way over to him, her delicate frame enrobed in a gorgeous white outfit. The brazenness of women these days, he thought, although who was he to complain if she wanted to initiate something with him? Looks like the night could be starting early! He brushed his palms together, mentally preparing for his introduction and thinking about where he could offer to take her for a first date.
“Come on Mr Wilson, let’s get you some food, shall we?”
He blinked, jolted out of his reverie by the care home nurse. Looking back at his greying hair in the mirror, his tired eyes and wrinkles betrayed the many years of pain and suffering he had endured. He only ever felt truly awake in his daydreams, reliving the life he once had, the life that age and illness had stolen from him and a life that he knew he could never live again.