The Passage of Time

Belinda looked around in distaste. The bland walls and shabby furniture were so depressing. Some attempts had been made to cheer things up - a vase of red roses and a homemade quilt on the bed. Despite this, it was still a nursing home and nothing could remove the general atmosphere of hopelessness, of waiting to die. She hated the antiseptic smell and the underlying odours that lingered at the edge of her senses. The temptation to fling open the windows was almost overwhelming, but she knew that could endanger the shaky health of the patients, including her father.

She turned to him and sighed. He had dozed off again. His days were a series of naps with brief moments of awareness. When had her strong, loving father turned into this old man? How had it happened? A flood of love and regret washed over her and she grasped his hand, holding on for dear life, literally.

"Wha ..? Linny? Where's Linny?" Her father struggled to peer at her - to work out what was happening. What was the use? He didn't even know who she was.

"It's alright, Dad. It's me, Belinda." She patted his hand reassuringly. "It'll be time for dinner soon. You'll like that, won't you? They're having pumpkin soup tonight  your favourite. Now, we'd better get ready." With many encouraging words she got him settled into his chair and down to the dining room.

"He's looking good tonight, isn't he?" one of the nurses offered as Belinda helped her father. "Feeling quite chipper, aren't you, Bobby? You tell Belinda how you were singing this morning. That's good, Bobby." The nurse smiled and turned back to her patient.

Belinda returned the smile weakly. She hated the way they called her father Bobby  it made him seem like a child  and the way they talked. So falsely cheerful. She closed her eyes, weary and despondent. A hand caressed the back of her head and she looked up, startled.

Robert looked at his daughter in concern. She was sad. That wasn't right. His Linny shouldn't be sad. She was such a good girl. He smiled and ran his hand down her hair. Closing his eyes, he continued to stroke her hair...


"Daddy? Daddy?"

Robert sighed and turned to his small daughter. "Yes, Linny?"

"Daddy, tell me about the fairies!" She looked up at him, with all the trust in the world. Robert grinned and searched for an answer.

"Well, Linny, they live in the flowers and they're so tiny it's almost impossible to see them. You have to squint your eyes up to look and you have to be really quiet and quick so they don't fly away."

"Really? Let's try! Come on!" She grabbed his hand and pulled him along, laughing.

"Come on, Daddy!"....



"Dad, come on. Catch it!"

He looked up as the ball flew towards him
.
"Good shot, Sweetheart!" Robert ran back and caught the ball, pretending to stagger and fall. "You'll be playing for Australia yet."

"Yeah, Dad, sure. You're not too bad yourself. For an old guy, that is." Belinda grinned and then ran as Robert chased her. Catching her, he slung her over his shoulder as she laughed helplessly.

"Sorry," she sputtered. "Help!!" She gasped as he spun her around, faster and faster...



"Very graceful," Robert commented as he spun Belinda into the last step of the dance. "Those boys won't know what's hit them."

Belinda's dress billowed as she flounced past him. "They'd better watch out for your old man, if they know what's good for them."

"Oh Dad! Don't you dare embarrass me!" She glared at him, but then, as she turned to go, sent him a small smile....


Her smile trembled and she reached for his hand. "I'm scared, Dad."

"It'll be okay, Sweetheart. It's normal. Do you love him?" He handed her the bouquet of red roses.

"With all my heart!"

"Then, go and marry him. And remember, I love you. You'll always be my girl." He took her arm and walked her to the door....



She held his grandchild out to him. "His name's Matthew Robert, Dad." He reached out to take the baby....



"Napping again, is he?" The nurse turned to Belinda. "Here, let's get him back to his room."

Once he was settled for the night, Belinda bent to kiss him. "Goodnight Dad. I love you."


As she turned to leave, she heard her father answer. "Night Linny. Love you." She smiled as she turned off the light.