Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Christmas Cards (11/06/08)
-
TITLE: Quite the Collection | Previous Challenge Entry
By Sally Hanan
11/13/08 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
**
“Whatcha think Jesse? Will we send old meanie Grandpa a card?”
“Yeah!” Jesse clapped her hands. Ryan smirked at her naivety and rolled the crayons in her direction. He regretted it already, but maybe... Whatever.
**
His trembling fingers turned the card from right to left, the light casting a net of color on his pupils. It had been a year since he’d received the last one. He walked backwards until his shaky legs found a solid seat.
**
Jesse’s tubby hands sat on the waxen mass as she filled in what remained of the empty spaces on the card. She couldn’t read the print.
MERRY CHRISTMAS, DAD
Ryan decided not to add anything to it. He’d already said enough.
**
Water pumped into his cloudy eyes. He let a drop roll steadily down past his jawbone and onto the myriad of color. His Sheltie walked up to his side and leaned his head on his hand. A small corner of the man’s mouth turned upward as his fingers curved through the warmth of his dog’s hair.
**
“I’m gonna give him a biiiig kiss.” Ryan smiled halfheartedly at his daughter without really seeing her. She picked up the card and planted a huge wet smacker of a kiss over her artwork. Then she kissed all over the rest of the card. “So he can have lots of love,” she explained. She stood up on Ryan’s lap and stared into his eyes. “Just like you Daddy. You give me lots of love,” and she planted another sloppy wet one on his mouth. He grunted and kissed her forehead. How could I not love you?
**
Jesse’s grandpa leaned forward to let the table take his weight as he rose. He picked up the card, ever so carefully, and walked to his bedroom, taking care not to scrunch it each time he leaned his hand into the wall. In the far corner, over the picture of Ryan’s mom, he pegged the card onto the makeshift string. He had quite the collection. Just knowing that Ryan had planned it was difficult. He couldn’t understand why he kept trying to reach out. Too many bad things had happened, all at his hand. He didn’t want to mess up another life too, or worse, another family.
**
They walked to the mail box together. Her little feet were steadier these days; her curls beginning to straighten out. Both strong hands gripped her chubby waist and lifted her to the flap, which she pulled down eagerly. “Now Grandpa will get his Kissmas card, won’t he Daddy, won’t he, cuz I gave him a lots of kisses on it.”
“Yes Sweetie, he will.”
**
Jesse’s grandpa lay back on the bed. Somehow he felt even more alone today. The ceiling fan flapped the cards from wall to wall, a dancing procession of hope. He didn’t see it. He closed his eyes, and fell asleep.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
From the "meanie grandpa" line, I thought Ryan didn't like him, but the end made me think differently. I'm still trying to decide whether it's really a "conflict or not!" lol