Surprise | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: Surprise | Previous Challenge Entry
By Les Ey
06/05/13
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Jack sank into his easy chair and sipped on his brewed coffee. He basked in another sunset complements of the Master Artist. Eyes alert yet completely relaxed; he sat there on the veranda of his farmhouse and surveyed the twilight scene. Yellow and orange rays burst through the billowing clouds in front of him and magenta highlighted the ones to his left. However, the most satiating color was the now darkening green of the sprouting grass that signaled the end of the drought.
Jack sighed, “Thanks so much God, Thanks so much for the rain. Your timing is impeccable. I was sure we would be selling up just like the Thorntons down the road had to. Please forgive me for doubting you Lord. I know you would have looked after us regardless of what we had to do. Oh and give travelling mercies to Meredith as she visits our Alison, Peter and our dear little grandson, Colby.”
Jack sat there quietly for a while listening to the crickets, the sporadic creaking of the rusty old windmill and a crowing raven. Then with a furrowed brow, Jack glanced down at his watch. “Hmm.” Matt should be up from the back lot by now. Meh, he’s probably just talking with that young Gary fellow.
Crash.
What was that?
An icy chill ran down Jack’s spine and the hairs on the back of his neck stood up. The sound had to have come from inside the now dark farmhouse. Heart thumping and muscles tensed, Jack leaned forward in his chair and listened intently.
He heard no sound but the crickets. A shaking hand eased the coffee cup to the floor. He rose slowly trying to control his breathing. He inched towards the door, but regardless of how softly he moved, the floorboards creaked with every step.
It must be Matt. What would he be doing moving around in the dark? Besides, I would have seen him parking the tractor.
Jack whispered below his breath. “Lord what should I do?”
What if it is a burglar? What would someone think he possibly expect to steal from us, all the way out here?
“Father if you’ve got a guardian angel spare, I sure would appreciate some help.”
Jack stood near the front door, fixed like a statue, trying to gather his thoughts. Sweat beaded on his forehead and dampened his salt and pepper hair. The time passed at a torturous pace. After what felt like thirty minutes but was probably only five Jack began to relax.
I’m imagining things. It was probably the vacuum cleaner falling out of the closet again.
A grin highlighted the smile lines on Jacks face as he sighed with relief. He put his hand on the door handle and turned it quietly. Slowly he opened the door and peered towards the dining room.
The light from the dining room flashed on. The dining room door flew open.
“Surprise!”
Jack’s heart leapt.
Family and friends peered out at him with cheesy grins from the crowed room. They blew on party whistles and echoed, “Happy Birthday.”
Meredith called out, “You didn’t think we had forgotten did you?”
Jack sighed; grinning wryly, he shook his head, “It’s a real blessing that I don’t have a weak heart.”

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