Dopple

Robert sat on his porch, rocking in his chair, and took a drag of his cigarette. It was quiet enough outside to hear the crackling of the embers at the end of it. That's why Robert moved here, to this empty desert. The quiet. The solitude. The seclusion. Just him, the wind, the snow and the occasional roar of an airplane from the town across the mountains.

Footsteps crunched through snow, and a shadow materialized from the air as it crept to the porch. Robert watched as the shadow shaped into his own likeness, clothes, beard, fresh haircut and all.

"Hello, Robert," he said as the shadow completed the mirror image and sat down in the chair next to his.

"Hello, Robert. I like our haircut," the doppelganger said.

"Yup. Reckon it's time for another go around?"

"I'm afraid we can't delay it this time, Rob. Bobby. Bob. What name do you go by now?"

"Rob's fine. And yes, I felt the lump this morning."

"So, do you want to get into your pj's, hop into the bed and I can drag you out slow and quiet like?"

"Maybe. I could also set the house on fire."

"Dramatic."

"Listen, Doppel. Do you think I could have just a little more time? Eh? You've put this off for 60 years. What's another, say, week?"

"Rob, it's almost not even my decision anymore. Orders from the otherside and all."

"Yeah, I figured, but really, I have a few loose ends. We've been pals. Give me some time to tie 'em up, and then we can do the bridge crossing thing."

"Gate."

"Hm?"

"It's a gate, not a bridge. But ok. Let's meet back on this porch in a week. Bring a beer or five, eh?"

"You got it, amigo. I'll be seeing you."

"Yep."

The doppelganger changed back into shadowy nothingness and blew away on the breeze. Robert continued rocking and squeezed the cell phone in his pocket. He took it out and dialed the only number he had memorized anymore.

"Hey, Jenna? Hi. It's Pop. Listen, could ya come to the house sometime this week? I have something I need to talk about"

He pulled the phone from his ear so he couldn't hear her frustrated sigh.

"Hm? Oh, nothing. I'm just dyin'. Found a lump. heh."

Silence.

"Jenna, just come home for a bit. I need to talk to you."

A short, curt reply and the phone hung up.

Robert rocked and finished his cigarette. He had to go make the sheets in the guest bedroom. Then figure out whatever was left on his bucket list.

"Dead in a week," he said to the cold night air. "Been dead for a while now."