Disclaimer--Not mine, don't sue, y'all know the tune.
This is in response to the weekly question, which was to write a short story about an aniversary having somehting to do with something ont he show. I know, that isn't quoted word for word, but I think you all get the idea. Since it's Father's Day, this is the first thing that jumped out at me.
Happy Father's Day
by Tchabu
****
Jarod's pencil slid over the stark white paper. The soft scratching noises were the only sounds that broke the stillness, save for his light breathing. He worked painstakingly; every line, every mark had to be perfect. It would not be the same if it weren't.
He knew that the man would be surprised to receive it, after all these years. To be honest, he really didn't know how much, or even what, it would mean to the man. But that was all right. What mattered to Jarod was that he was making the effort. It was so important to the Pretender that the older man would know what his sacrifices meant to Jarod.
He set down his pencil and surveyed his work. Perfect. An exact replica of the card he had made all those years ago.
The only difference was this: he knew that Sydney would not throw it away this time.
****
The psychiatrist sorted through his mail, finding only the usual bills and junk mail. However, the handwriting on a smaller envelope caught his eye. Hardly daring to breath, Sydney slit the paper open to find a familiar drawing on a piece of folded paper. It depicted a man and a small boy in perfect detail, identical to one he had received almost twenty years ago. He opened the card and read the short note from his former protege, as the tears began to fall. He could not believe that after all this time, Jarod still thought of him as his father, that the Pretender still cared. As he wiped the tears from his eyes, he took the card over to a small table, clutching it to himself, as if he feared it would suddenly disappear. Opening the drawer, he extracted a small, intricately carved mahogany box.
Sydney drew the lid back tenderly, and gently placed the card next to its twin.
****
Happy Father's Day to all the dads here, and please, be sure to tell your father what he means to you! Just remember, it is the man who does the job who is the true father, not necessarily the man who made the kid.
Feedback, please!
This is in response to the weekly question, which was to write a short story about an aniversary having somehting to do with something ont he show. I know, that isn't quoted word for word, but I think you all get the idea. Since it's Father's Day, this is the first thing that jumped out at me.
Happy Father's Day
by Tchabu
****
Jarod's pencil slid over the stark white paper. The soft scratching noises were the only sounds that broke the stillness, save for his light breathing. He worked painstakingly; every line, every mark had to be perfect. It would not be the same if it weren't.
He knew that the man would be surprised to receive it, after all these years. To be honest, he really didn't know how much, or even what, it would mean to the man. But that was all right. What mattered to Jarod was that he was making the effort. It was so important to the Pretender that the older man would know what his sacrifices meant to Jarod.
He set down his pencil and surveyed his work. Perfect. An exact replica of the card he had made all those years ago.
The only difference was this: he knew that Sydney would not throw it away this time.
****
The psychiatrist sorted through his mail, finding only the usual bills and junk mail. However, the handwriting on a smaller envelope caught his eye. Hardly daring to breath, Sydney slit the paper open to find a familiar drawing on a piece of folded paper. It depicted a man and a small boy in perfect detail, identical to one he had received almost twenty years ago. He opened the card and read the short note from his former protege, as the tears began to fall. He could not believe that after all this time, Jarod still thought of him as his father, that the Pretender still cared. As he wiped the tears from his eyes, he took the card over to a small table, clutching it to himself, as if he feared it would suddenly disappear. Opening the drawer, he extracted a small, intricately carved mahogany box.
Sydney drew the lid back tenderly, and gently placed the card next to its twin.
****
Happy Father's Day to all the dads here, and please, be sure to tell your father what he means to you! Just remember, it is the man who does the job who is the true father, not necessarily the man who made the kid.
Feedback, please!