Sunday, December 07, 2014

A (very) short story


The boy started making patterns on the snow with the soles of his shoes. He had been feeling a little scared and the relief that suddenly came over him started manifesting itself in random nervous energy. “I miss you”, he said. “Some of my friends keep asking where you are”.
The man gave the boy an expressionless look. “Sorry bud, but I can’t come by the house or school without complicating things”.
The boy continued stamping a Timberland logo in the snow. “You know, we learnt this week in science class that birds have hollow bones which makes them very light”.
The man sat down on a snow covered headstone and put a hand on his bald pate. A muscle 
momentarily twitched on his stoic face.
The boy continued “Are your bones hollow now? Is it from the grey powder I used to see mum put in your coffee when you were not looking? I watched you come down the hill from behind that tree but you did not leave a single footprint in the snow!”
 — at Grove Hill Cemetery.



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