How long will it take? He asks himself in between commercials. So far, the only one that has kept him company on those days when everyone else is busy with other people or with their own thoughts. So this is how to be old, he thinks. He joined his hands together, watching the seconds drop in the dim light.

He knew but he never gave it much thought. How long has it been? Does it even matter anymore? Warmth, he felt it as he passed his hand over the lit stove to reach over the pot. Will he ever feel it again? Or has he ever? All those nights, why maybe she thought of another, in the dark, it’s not that difficult.

Heavy, the pail weighs down his hands as he carries it across to pour over dirty clothes. In another time, I guess.