Shorties: Number 52

Only a few paces later, balance was lost and Craig stepped onto a railroad tie.  Glancing to his left, Craig wondered if the couple on their romantic stroll saw him.  They only saw each other.  A heavy heart returned him to reality.  Tomorrow would be the first Christmas without his father and Craig felt it impossible to continue living.  If his mind was clear, he knew there was much for which to live.  Nevertheless, the darkness that settled on him since that horrible day never left. 

Maybe that was why he found himself walking the tracks.  He wanted to feel close to his dad.  Craig and his father used to walk on railroad tracks when they went fishing.  It was a contest to their fishing spot and on the return to see which could walk the furthest on their respective rails.  Craig learned early in these matches his balance was better when holding the fishing pole in his left hand.  His father never knew trick of his. 

How Craig longed tell the secret now.  If his father suddenly appeared, he would sit with his dad at the coffee shop across the street.  Mind racing, Craig saw it all.  “Dad, let’s get a cup of coffee.”  They would get their cups and sit at a table by the window or outside.  His father loved to watch people and he’d be able to watch many this day.  He could hear his father’s booming laughter at hearning this trick his only son learned at such a young age. 

Stepping up on the other rail, Craig began walking.  The first steps were awkward and he struggled to stay on.  Then he found a rhythm and whispered in a soft voice, “Dad, why’d you go?  Why’d you get sick?  God, why?  Dammit!”  Step, step, step.  Craig continued uttering random thoughts to himself.

“Life just goes on and the world doesn’t care.  I walk the rail just to maintain balance but my life has none.  I fell off long time ago.  My knees are skinned and my bones are upon the rocks.  Or is it coal?  Maybe that’s why I see black.  I’m face down in coal.  It can warm you but it darkens the world around you as it burns “

Craig lifted his eyes as he neared the crossroad.  The town Christmas tree stood tall and bright in the drab surroundings.  In the distance, he heard Christmas music playing and smelled fudge from the candy shop up the street.  The world still holds beauty for those with eyes to see.  It would be a long time before Craig’s eyes could open. 


It is my photograph too.