Who or what interrupted the person reading this book and having tea? Where did they go? Set your timer for 15 minutes and write.
He was so used to getting up at all hours of the morning and night that he could barely sleep anymore. He’d taken to reading the business news, which was odd, given that he had no businesses to be concerned with. What he had, instead, was a calling. It didn’t stop him wondering from time to time what it would have been like to own his own book store. Or a little tea shoppe. Yes! That would do quite nicely. He did love his teas. Or perhaps stables. He’d always wanted to learn to ride, though he was frightened near to death every time he got round a horse. Thank God for the invention of the automobile. It made his job a lot easier.
Two o’clock in the morning, and once again he was wide awake. He’d made himself a cup of tea — mostly milk, he didn’t need help staying awake — and settled down at his desk with his new copy of Mark Twain’s “Huckleberry Finn.” He loved the American author. Someday he was going to see Hannibal, Missouri where Twain was from. Someday he was going to travel the world. To visit Rome and Ephesus, Antioch and Philippi. And Las Vegas! How he’d love to see the city of sin. He blushed at the thought.
He considered lighting his pipe, but the words on the page were starting to blur. Perhaps the long day was finally catching up with him. What was that? A knock. He turned “Huckleberry Finn” face down on his desk to mark his place, removed his reading glasses, and waddled to the door, his threadbare robe swishing around his slippered feet.
“It’s my da,” the boy said with tears marking dark trails down his dirty cheeks. “Mum says you’re to come at once…” The boy paused and looked timidly up at the old man, bottom lip trembling. “That is if you’re able, sir.”
“Yes, I’ll be right along. Go on home and let them know I’m on my way.” He patted the little fellow on the head. So young to be losing a father.
The old man blew out his candle, contemplated putting the cup of tea in the sink, decided it wasn’t worth the effort, then climbed the stairs to his chilly bed chamber. Dressing quickly, he crept carefully back down the steep steps, holding tightly to the railing as he went. His balance was not as good as it used to be. Shimmying into his heavy coat, he pulled a woolen cap down over his graying hair and ears, then taking the trappings of his trade under his arm, his Bible and his stole, he went out into the cold autumn night to give last rites to the boy’s da.
His dreams of adventure he left behind turned upside down on his desk.
(Reposted from 10/15/14)
Donna said:
You are a great story teller I loved it.
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calensariel said:
I think I liked that piece because it felt very folksy.
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Fimnora Westcaw said:
I remember this picture from another post, long ago. I can’t remember the story right now, but this one, it’s very compelling. Well done!
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calensariel said:
Same on. I didn’t realize I had already reposted it once. I do so love that character. I don’t know why he keeps coming back to haunt me.
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Fimnora Westcaw said:
I’d say he speaks to a part of you, perhaps it is that part of you which would have done that were circumstances different in this lifetime?
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calensariel said:
Very possibly!
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JMDLEFLORE said:
I think I closely relate with your character as well. Great story, enjoyed the read.
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calensariel said:
Seems like for most of us there’s another path we would have liked to have taken, doesn’t it? Did you ever stop to think that when you came to a fork in the road the path you DIDN’T take went on with an alternate you in a different universe? 🙂
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Walking My Path: Mindful Wanderings in Nature said:
Great story. Well written. Sweet and sad. Heart.
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calensariel said:
I think he’s one of my most favorite folks I’ve ever written. Just a plain, good man.
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annacottage said:
Well done
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calensariel said:
He’s a nice little vicar from YOUR neck of the woods — way back when. 😀
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randombitsoftrialanderror said:
Wonderful story!
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calensariel said:
Thank you so much. I’m terribly fond of him. I wonder what his name is…
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Julz.......artist, blogger, photographer, graphic designer said:
great read
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calensariel said:
Thanks. I really liked the character I created in this one.
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Soul Gifts said:
That’s a beautiful story Calen 🙂
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calensariel said:
There’s a lot of me in the old gentleman!
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Soul Gifts said:
I did recognise that 🙂
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