Passions in Prose |
Return To Sender (Part Three) |
Magnus
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135South Carolina, USA |
The ringing phone, startling, jarring him, heart racing headlong into the next curve...should he, should he not answer....Hearing the monotonous voice of a canned answer.... It was what happened after the beep that brought him face to face with what had eluded his fleeting attempt at a grasp. A woman’s voice, soft yet confident,captivating.. the simple word of a questioning hello, followed by silence....then again....that word... Running, almost tripping, sliding through the archway of the dining room, socked feet not helping his efforts to stop, lunging, grappling with the cord. Finally holding the receiver to his lips, a pensive, unsure "hello" in reply... One word, one questioning word... “Bill?”.... then silence again... “Yuh-yuh-yes?” His totally smooth approach to a response. “Bill, this is Mary Lou.”..... Sprint’s pin would have sounded like the roof caving in.. “Bill, are you there?” “Yuh-yes,” his attempt at suave, aloof, confident, all going out the window with each stammered syllable. She told him that she had come by, but hesitated to knock....deciding to leave a letter....Asking him if he had received it, had he opened it yet... He said he had it, in fact he was still clutching it in his free hand....that he saw a picture within the envelope....not knowing who the picture was of....he had not yet read the letter within....a letter now very old, but very much a part of their lives. The picture, very much like the one upon the mantle, yet different....a boy, a girl....standing before a birthday cake....there were 10 candles upon the cake...the same as in the picture on the mantle. But something was different about this picture....for on the back, a date in black ink.....a date which now made it more clear for him.....It was dated ten years after he had last seen her. Ten years after the letter was originally mailed.... “Bill....I wanted to tell you, but I was scared Bill.” “Those are my children, twins....born 20 years ago.” “ They are your children too.” “I tried to find you, but they would not tell me where you had gone.” She wanted him to know, for she felt that time was not on her side....the years had become an issue. this business had to be considered, complete before... “Bill, you must read the letter.”....silence, and then the ominous sound of a disconnect. He stood there, not moving...the receiver dangling, swinging at his side... |
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© Copyright 2003 Barry J. Tackett - All Rights Reserved | |||
Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Wow! As my mother used to say, "the plot thickens!" |
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ThisDiamond Member Rara Avis
since 2002-02-22
Posts 9353Michigan, USA |
I knew the answer... from number two... Excellent write. TD |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
Oh God (sinking back into chair) *click into library* |
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Patricia Member Elite
since 2003-04-06
Posts 2160Missouri |
Well, there you have it...she (my daughter) is asking questions now...you got her hooked as well. We are both enjoying this so much. Patricia |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Magnus~ This is magnificient, you know that, right ? *Huglets* ~*Marge*~ ~*When the heart grieves over what it has lost, |
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Gentle Spirit Member Patricius
since 2000-10-09
Posts 13989 |
and on to the next I go..... |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
wow. *S* |
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Suetang Member Ascendant
since 2001-03-07
Posts 5187Melbourne, Australia |
A fabulous piece of writing from the master which I thoroughly enjoyed. Take care........Sue I am in motion |
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pictureme Member
since 2003-11-28
Posts 248Ohio, USA |
Ok Magnus I found my way to three...and well worth the trip. Its like a book that I can't put down so its on to 4..... I'm following thru. pictureme :-) |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
The plot thickens indeed... |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Might you see my smile widening? Ah grasshopper... |
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