TITLE: Redemption chap 3 4 of 4 By Randy Somers 02/22/15 |
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
SEND ARTICLE TO A FRIEND |
Later that afternoon Buck sat on the dusty bench under the shade of the ash tree. Sweat dripped from his hair, rolled down his back and sides. Moving the heavy pieces of iron and other metal in this heat exhausted him. He leaned back and closed his eyes. A ten minute nap wouldn’t hurt any.
A small voice interrupted the nap. “Buck. Are you awake?”
Recognizing the voice, Buck slowly opened one eye. Looking over at Theresa, he growled, “Who awakes the genie of the lamp? The genie hasn’t been able to sleep for ten thousand years.” His voice modulated up and down. “I will give no more wishes until I’ve slept for one thousand years.” His eye slowly closed.
A giggle was his reward.
“Buck. I’ve got something for you,” the small voice pleaded.
The eye slowly opened. Staring at the young girl, the genie said, “Unless you have brought back my flying carpet, I don’t want to be disturbed.” The eye closed.
Theresa stepped closer and placed something cold on Buck’s side. A loud yelp brought a huge grin on Theresa’s happy face.
“Hey. You cheated. What do you got in your hand?”
“I brought you a gift,” Theresa offered. “I know you like Coke Zero, so I brought you one.”
Sitting up straight, puzzled and a little concerned, Buck asked. “How did you get it?”
Theresa sat next to him and smiled, “I saved up some money from doing chores for old lady Harriet next door. She gave me a quarter each time I walked her dog. I hid the money from my dad and brothers.” She giggled. “I put the quarters in my panty drawer.”
Buck smiled. “You’re a smart girl.”
Taking the soda, Buck opened it and sipped a small amount. Making a show he swirled the soda around in his mouth, swallowed then choked. Rubbing his nose he said, “The bubbles went up my nose.”
Theresa laughed.
Hiding the ache in his heart for her sacrifice, he snapped his fingers. “I know. I’ve got some Oreos in my truck. Hold this and I’ll get em.”
Buck ran to his truck and ran back with an unopened package. Sitting the cookies between them he asked, “Would you share them with me? We could share the Coke too.”
Theresa smiled. Buck was the only male adult that treated her special.
“So tell me Princess, what was the funnest part of your day in school today,” Buck asked after shoving two cookies in his mouth.
Theresa turned serious and said, “In science we are studying geology. Mr. Ambruse made a game out of our study. We all stood up. He asked each of us a question. If we missed two questions we had to sit down.” She smiled and bit half a cookie, “I came in second.”
“Wow. I’m impressed. But I know you’re very smart. Anything else that was fun?
“I liked recess. We got extra time today and I got to swing the whole time. I like being alone and pretending that I’m flying over the ocean to Australia. I want to see kangaroos someday.”
For the next hour they sat and talked and ate and shared that special bottle of soda.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.