The White Thing

I went to my boss’s office and told him I had better go home because

I felt sick. He said, “You don’t look sick.” Then I threw up in his waste-

basket. He said, “I’m sorry I said that. You had better go home.” I said,

“Thank you. I think I will.” I grabbed my hat from the hat rack and headed

for the door. I took the elevator down to the first floor and headed for

the parking lot. I found my car and got in and started driving home. There

was something strange going on. There were palm trees all along the avenues, and

I live in the north. There were parrots flying all over the place and birds I’d never

seen before. I felt hot and it was winter. People were walking in shorts.

I liked it here, better than I’d ever liked it before. Convertibles drove by.

I waved at them, but I also felt lost. I wasn’t getting any closer to my home,

I felt sure of that. All the usual landmarks were gone, nothing seemed familiar.

But I was enjoying my ride, of that I was sure. Women in bathing suits, many

of them bikinis. There must be a beach nearby. Yes, there it was. A beautiful

white-sand beach. I drove alongside it for miles. Then I turned off onto

a side street. It got darker and darker the further I drove. It was a shanty

town with poor dilapidated houses and people dressed in winter coats. I found

my house among these, needing a roof and broken-down fence. I parked my car

and went inside. The furniture was pathetic. I was afraid to sit in the

chairs. The food in the refrigerator looked ancient and wild. Just minutes ago

I had been on a beautiful beach and now this. I didn’t understand it. How

could life turn you upside down so quickly? I went and found the bed and lay down

in it. Rats scurried out of it and down to the floor. I closed my eyes and

tried to dream of the beach, but sharks kept nipping at my fingers and toes.

I swam faster and I started to sink. I was caught in a fisherman’s net. I

woke up thrashing and screaming. It was my old home, with lovely furniture

and rugs. I went to the fridge and it was full of delicious food, like baked

chicken and fresh fruit. I looked out the window. Beautiful houses and lawns

surrounded me. I felt so happy. Then I remembered I was sick. I threw up

in the wastebasket and collapsed on the floor. I tried to reach for the

phone, but I couldn’t make it. I crawled toward it, but then I passed out.

When I woke up I was in the hospital, but I didn’t know who I was or what that

white thing was leaning over me.