I know this sounds silly but I'm starting to think one of my neighbors is a zombie. Or at least he is on his way to becoming one. His name is Bill something.
About six months ago I got into a conversation with him in the driveway. He actually lives (or not) two houses down but we've talked many times over the past few years. I mentioned he had lost some weight, intending it as a compliment. I hadn't noticed how his eyes looked a little hollow or his stance a little off balance. He told me was undergoing chemotherapy. He was also bald and I hadn't noticed because he was wearing a cap. I think I said something like Wow. I'm sorry. I didn't know. So what's the next step? There isn't one, he said. Just wait. That's a bummer, man. He said yeah he knew. So then we started talking about the National Health Bill or something.
I didn't see him again for a couple of months and then it was only in passing. He was wobbling out to the passenger side of his car. His wife, Charlie I think, was holding onto him. He had a cane, too. I was mowing and I sort of waved and he nodded back. Charlie didn't look up. I thought about him a lot for a few days. Then I didn't so much. Then I didn't at all. Then the ambulance brought him home. My neighbor across the street told my wife about it and she told me. They both concluded he wanted to die at home. I think he did - die at home, that is.
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