Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Bridge (07/31/08)
-
TITLE: Race You Home | Previous Challenge Entry
By Judy Traffie
08/06/08 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
Laughter drifted among the falling leaves and sunshine, filling the world with a brightness that rivaled the sun. Out of breath but determined to catch up, he willed his legs to run faster.
‘Hurry up slow poke, we’re almost there’, the teasing words drifting over to him on the light breeze.
He grinned at the eyes that glanced back at him over freckled arms. He could see the old stone bridge now in the distance and felt a burst of energy. Lowering his head he ran with all he had, sensing the gap closing. Nothing existed except the pounding of their sneakers against the dirt path and the sound of his own harsh breathing in his ears.
With a shout they burst onto the stone bridge at exactly the same moment. Laughter mixed in the air with ragged breaths, as they bent over hands on their knees.
Staggering over to the stone wall lining the bridge, he leaned on his elbows staring out at the river dancing along.
‘Someday Trav, when we’re both old and grown we should find our way back to this bridge and remember this day.’
Turning his head he watched as Travis approached still slightly breathless and swung an arm around his shoulders, looking out over the river himself. His young freckled face was serious as he contemplated the scene before them.
‘Let’s make a pact Cole. Let’s agree that in ten years no matter where we are or what we do, that we meet back here.’ His green eyes held a somber expression as he looked at Cole.
Nodding in agreement Cole stepped back and spit in his hand, watching as Travis mirrored his actions before they stretched out their hands and shook as solemnly as preachers. They stood silently for a moment, each thinking of the far off future.
Suddenly a grin replaced the solemn expression on the freckled face of Cole’s best friend, the afternoon light hitting it just right, lending a brilliant glow. Before he could move Travis had taken off like a rocket.
‘Race you home Cole. Bet you this time I win.’
The words seemed to be carried on a wind that took them through time to the sunny afternoon where a grown up Cole stood alone on the old stone bridge. The ache that clenched his chest loosened a little as the words soothed the hole left by his closest friend. If only Travis had known he would be right, he had won. He had made it home first.
So many memories existed in his mind from childhood, all of them including Travis with his bright red hair sticking up in all directions and his green eye’s sparkling with life.
Kneeling down Cole felt along the base of the stone wall lining the bridge, fingers seeking the loose stone he knew would be there. With a sudden scrape a stone moved sideways, revealing a damp and wilted fold of paper behind it. His heart thumping Cole unrolled it slowly, reading the words written in a boyish scrawl.
‘In ten years, we will be twenty two. (So old) We agree that after this year, the bridge is to be our meeting place once a year.’ Their names were scrawled underneath slightly smudged from the dirt of their palms.
At the far bottom he noticed a small verse and pulled the paper closer to make out the words. ‘A friend sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24’
A sad smile crossed his face as he pictured Travis sneaking back to add his two cents, typical of the feisty red head. The thought made him laugh, the sound piercing the quiet and filling the brisk air with light.
For a minute the present mingled with the past and Cole could feel Travis looking down grinning. The dancing leaves seemed to sing, ‘Hurry home, hurry home’, and breath filled his lungs once more.
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.
