Alastair Sharp

Taking Care Alastair Sharp

When the comfortable routine life of a retired country accountant and his wife abruptly shifts, he finds himself in a new rôle. On an otherwise ordinary day, she asks him to take care of everyone and without giving it much thought he promises that he will. When he returns from shopping, however, she has had a stroke and has gone into a coma. Her command stays with him and even while he sits at her bedside in the hospital, he recalls what she has said. And so he sets out to fulfill her command. Whoever looks like they might need taking care of, he offers. Not all his offers are appreciated or taken up and some bear unexpected consequences. He finds himself riding a wave of activity, way outside his normal humdrum existence. His house fills with those who need his help and the community around him begins to discover and appreciate the benefactor in their midst. While his wife remains on life support, she continues to inspire him and perhaps, somehow even instruct him. In moments where decisions have to be made, she seems to be there, in a subtle form urging him along. Little by little, he finds himself in the midst of a group of those who do need taking care of and he rises and rises to the challenge.