There comes a time in a man’s life when the sun no longer shares its warmth, when dreams are nearly forgotten and memories start to fade.

            Will Tanner sat in his cubicle and stared at the computer screen.  There were twelve cubicles all enclosed in plexiglass and running the full length of the top floor of the Greeson-Pierce building. Each was manned by another nameless and faceless employee whose sole purpose was to confirm orders and handle billing. The walls were a stark grey with a lone painting of yellow wildflowers that served no other purpose than to possibly distract one from the dreariness of the office.  Mabel Fletcher managed her twelve employees with grim and unflinching attention. Eleven cubicles handed the workload in near perfect efficiency. One did not. 

            “Mr. Tanner, didn’t I tell you to have the Arden account on my desk by 9:30 this morning,” Mabel’s voice boomed through the office, “It is close to noon and I am still waiting. I’m talking to you, Mr. Tanner!”

            Will looked up sheepishly, moved his cursor across the screen and hit print.

            “I’m working on it, Ms. Fletcher.” Will reached for the printout that was rumbling out of the old IBM printer. “There were complications.”

            “Honestly, Mr. Tanner, I don’t know why I put up with you.”  Mabel took a large gulp from her ever present Styrofoam cup of coffee. Tearing the printout from Will’s hand she lumbered away like a tank looking to roll over another obstacle. Mabel paused by the twin windows that overlooked Ninth Avenue and scooped up a doughnut from the small table that was the only other piece of furniture in the large office. She popped it into her mouth and in two swift swallows it was history. Wiping the crumbs with the sleeve of her blouse, Mabel shifted to look back at Will. “My office at closing and try to remember this time, Mr. Tanner!”

            “Yes, Ms. Fletcher, I’ll remember.” Will’s voice trembled as it echoed around the room.

            When the door slammed shut on Mabel’s office, laughter broke out from the other cubicles. Will heard his co-workers talking.

            “The old fool’s done it this time; she’ll fire him for sure.”

            “In a way I feel sorry for him but he had it coming.”

            Will Tanner tried not to listen to them speaking. Gingerly he picked up a small gold-leafed picture frame from his desk and tenderly caressed the image of his late wife. Will felt the tears well up in his eyes.

            “She’s very lovely,” a young woman said, “was she your wife?”

            Pushing his chair away from his desk, Will looked up at soft hazel eyes that stared down on him kindly. “Yes, we were married for thirty-two wonderful years,” Will placed the frame down, “and who are you?”

            “I’m Patti Andrews from accounting. I just need to get some information from you. Ms. Fletcher just buzzed me.”

            “I’m going to be let go?” Will Tanner stared at the blank computer screen. “I’ve been with the company for over twenty-five years. I have never worked anywhere else.”

            “I can’t answer that, only Ms. Fletcher can,” Patti placed a soothing hand on the old man’s shoulder. “I hope not, I really do.”

            Will picked up his wife’s picture and felt a numbness run through his arm. He jerked and then slumped forward in the tiny cubicle. Patti screamed.

            “Call 9-11, for the love of God, please somebody call!”

There comes a time in a man’s life when the sun no longer shares its warmth, when dreams are nearly forgotten and memories start to fade. Will Tanner felt the sun, felt its warmth for the first time in years. He looked up and saw a rainbow in a hazel sky. Will Tanner heard voices.

            “C’mon, old man, breathe!” Will felt hands upon his chest.

            “He can’t be dead; I was just talking to him,” a young woman sobbed.

            Will Tanner heard voices and saw a rainbow.

            “It’s time.” Will recognized the voice; it was his wife.

            “Katherine, I’ve missed you. I’ve missed you so very much.”

Will Tanner clasped a gold-leafed picture frame.

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