Snack

The elderly man stared again at the package. It was carrots and snap peas, with a ranch dressing packet. He tried prying off the cellophane top, couldn't quite grip it right. Stopped again. With left arm supported, the man repositions himself in the wheelchair. This package has become his sole focus, getting it open, a two-second task with no thought. The patient man switches hands, holds down the package, then painstakingly peels back the cover until the very end remained attached to the plastic tray. Exhausted, he pauses for a minute. Many, many changes after a stroke.