“I’m just checking in with you. How are you today?”

“I’m too tired to fight today.”

“Me too, you really made me work hard yesterday.”

“I would really like a massage. Healthcare has under-utilised the benefits of therapeutic massage.”

“I’d agree with that. It is one of the alternative therapies that has been proven to make people feel better. A lot of the Pasifika cultures use massage as part of their healthcare systems.”

Nod.

“Us humans require physical contact. We don’t hug each other enough.”

His long arms tried to stretch outwards, but they could only move centimetres towards me due to weakness.

My arms went around what felt like a skeleton’s back. Sarcopenia is the medical term for the muscle wasting I felt.

A gentle embrace was shared. He was too weak to hug me tighter. I didn’t want to hurt him.

Followed by a firm handshake, our left hands surrounding each others’ right hands. All four hands shaking together.

The smiles in our eyes met each other. Retinae looked directly at retinae. A human connection was maintained but it was destined to be disconnected soon.

Our kindred bedside manner DNA started to unwind. One strand would come to an end soon, whilst the other would continue on.

He thanked me for the care provided.

I thanked him for his time and for the fun memories of our playing and joking together.

We shared a smile before we waved ‘see you later’ to each other.

Would we ever meet again?