The Man With A Gold Tooth

Reference: Memories and a pad of paper by Msforgetmenott

This happened nearly two months ago.

He is here again, that man with a gold tooth, just as he appeared when I was a young child. I was nine when I last saw him, now I have had my 70th birthday this past May. While I have aged each year, Mr. Gold tooth has not aged a day. He had not seemed so small when I first saw him as a child, but now he makes me almost think of one of "Tweed's" little people.

Sitting smack-dab on my big old rocking chair, his legs out straight, holding on to the edges of the rocking chair's seat, as his limbs are to short to reach the chair's arms. It would be hard to tell how long he has been up here as I seldom come up to the attic. The chair has been up here for years, not fitting into my polished antique look.

The little man's hair is shinny white, but it is thin. He shows a bold smile that is noticed first, but the gold tooth is unforgettable. I couldn't remember what he wore as a child, but today he is wearing a grey woven suit, a fine gold watch chain slipped into his front side pocket. His eyes have bold laughing wrinkles, a vivid blue are their color.

Once held in my childhood home cellar, the chair we moved to our home, as it has family value and was a connection to the past. I looked towards the chair, for as a child when coming down the cellar stairs I had memories... The smiling man was a friend, I had thought, one only I could see. He had often greeted me back then and we would talk. My Mother had thought I had a big imagination as she did not see or hear him. I recall laughing with him and enjoying his kindness. The chair left me with fond memories of my Dad also, sitting near the chunk furnace, unlacing his old work boots while the furnace fired up. It was on the other side of this furnace that the farm dog would lay, lost in doggie dreams, but ever watchful, should my Dad shake the tin can, holding her supper.

I have made myself busy, what to keep what to throw, jobs I had put off until now. It was when I reached the last attic stair that I noticed him, my step instantly stopped. I know why he is here, this time it will be for me, not my Mother. I remember gazing upon him during those last days before my Mom had died. The chair had rocked ever so slowly now as it had then.

I made myself pass by him, centered on the second drawer of our old bureau dresser. My project today was to label all the old pictures, so that later, they could be copied and claimed by the nieces and nephews, also the Grandchildren. Each free day I pick a project to do, making it easier for my Husband and Son, when I am gone. Free days are the ones not filled with medical appointments, or other obligations.

The memory of this Oncologist slowing voicing her words has not faded from our minds, since the day my Husband of forty-eight years and I sat in her office stone frozen. It seemed like her words "stage four, and urgent" must have been for someone else, I had this cancer in 2003, and we were told at that time it was gone, cured. Yet in 2018 it is back and packing a very big punch. So I began the treatments, a total nightmare repeat... The moment I had seen little man sitting there I knew, as it was with my Mother, he had come to take me to the unknown level. When? I have no answer.

I backed up from the bureau, asking quietly, how soon? He continued to sit unchanging also not answering. His eyes seemed to look at an object not even there. His hair moved to a wind that was not in the room. A wind I did not feel nor were the windows open to create such a draft. I asked again, when? He stared beyond, beyond my scope. Clenching my hands, I am not nine anymore! The earlier project forgotten I slipped away and down the attic steps... Unable to cope.

Sitting at my computer desk that evening, my phone in hand I needed my niece Val, close in age, and best friend. The daughter of an older sister, Val was born when I was only four. We were more as sisters, sharing much in an unusual way. We had even had paranormal events together in the past. Much like twins we would plan a meeting, and wear the same color and type of clothes. Oh how I needed her at that moment. She planned to come in a few days but... Now Val... Now At that moment the phone rang, I brightly answered, Hi Val! I was shocked when I heard Val's Husband's voice instead. "Val left early, but was involved in an accident, she is in a hospital not far from you, can you get her please, I will start early in the morning and be there to pick her up as soon as possible. She has a broken wrist and minor bruises. She faired better than her car though."

Heart, is stopped, my dear friend. "She will fine but will be needing a new car"...heart is beating again. She will be ok... I can usually guess especially when it concerns Val, but my radar is way off. For much of my life I had thought the man in the rocking chair had come to take my Mother. The problem is, I think now I may have been wrong, I now think Mr. Gold Tooth may be trying to help in keeping my family alive. I am confused so confused, totally.