Buzz

The fly’s buzzing kept rhythm with the breathing regulator, buzz hum up, buzz hum down. The patient couldn’t kill the fly nor could he silence the regulator. It had been his lifeline for 4 months. He had been hurrying home to catch his wife during lunch. He was sure she was having an affair. In his rush to confirm his suspicion he never saw the shiny black car, specialty license plate MD4U, bearing down upon him until it was too late.

He recognized his wife’s voice as she and the doctor entered.

“Is it time, is it time?”

“At least look like you care,” the doctor hissed under his breath.

The patient woke but couldn’t open his eyes. He heard them talking and tried to respond. Buzz hum up, buzz hum down.

“Okay then, let’s get it over with, I need to buy a new dress for tonight.”

Turn what off, he wondered, were they finally going to kill that fly? Buzz hum up, buzz hum down.

“Wait, I’m not dead, look at me!”

The doctor flipped the switch, then stood back to write the time of death on the man’s chart.

As she watched her husband taking his last breath, she noticed the fly; it had stopped dead upon her husband’s forehead.

She let out a little chuckle as she turned, catching the doctor’s eye.