Push down, Push hard
By William J Fedigan



Jimmy needs money. Goes to see his old man. His old man is loaded. His old man has Alzheimer’s, doesn’t know his own name, forgets to eat, wears diapers.

-I need two thousand bucks.
-What?
-Two thousand dollars.
-What?
-I need two thousand dollars. Two thousand dollars.
-Who are you?
-Jimmy. Your son, Jimmy.
-Nice to meet you, Jimmy.
-Don’t fall asleep. Open your eyes. Focus. That’s right. Open your eyes.
-What?
-Open your eyes. I’m going to get your checkbook now.
-Who are you?
-Your son, Jimmy. Jimmy.
-Nice to meet you.

Jimmy fills in the amount. He adds a zero. Cool twenty grand. Cold twenty grand. Cold.
His old man signs check.

Jimmy looks at his old man. Used to idolize him. Was big, strong, sharp as a blade. Long time ago. He’s small now. Pee stains on pants. Doesn’t know his own name.

Jimmy thinks about it. Takes cushion off chair. Wouldn’t take much, Jimmy thinks, couple of minutes. Just push down, push hard.
Jimmy thinks about it.

Jimmy thinks about it for a long time.


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William J Fedigan Published in US and UK. Latest work featured in Kerouac’s Dog, Blackheart Magazine, Warwick Unbound and The Writing Disorder. Is completing book entitled Bit by the wrong snake.