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The Photograph (Part IV-The End)
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The Photograph (Part IV-The End) |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA 
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(once again, this is the ending to a 4 part story. If you haven't already done so, please read parts 1-3 before reading this as it will make far more sense. ANd everyone, thanks for sticking by me with this one  )I was certain I would die that day, there, alone with a stranger, as I drowned on my own blood. Even if Teddy had gotten help, how could they ever reach me in time? “Please God, let them get here,” my mind pleaded. We reached the shed, rusted and falling apart, a relic of by gone days. I could see where he had pried the hinges on the rusty hasp apart to gain access. I stumbled as he reached out to pull the door opened and every thing that followed seemed to happen in slow motion. I caught a glimpse of Teddy out of the corner of my eye, wielding what appeared to be a large corroded metal bar of some kind; about then the stranger must have also seen or felt his presence. He turned around, loosening his grip on my arm and pulled the knife out of his waistband at the same time. Teddy was one step ahead of him, and with all his might, he swung the bar making full contact with the stranger. The knife went flying, landing in the dirt about 10 feet away and the stranger dropped to his knees. Teddy grabbed my arm and we ran, as fast as our legs would allow, till we were safely home. We never once looked back, afraid of what we might see. The following hours passed in a blur. The stranger was captured 2 hours later not far from the train yard. He was nursing a few bruises, the biggest being his pride. We were to learn that he was wanted in several other states for robbery and murder. He had killed Mrs. Perkin’s dog, had been stalking her house and planned on returning that night to rob her, possibly worse. Although mom and dad weren’t happy about our skipping school, they were relieved we were all right. After making us promise to never do that again, they hugged us both and sent us upstairs to bed granting Teddy permission to sleep in my room. I awoke, sometime in the half light of the early morning hours, afraid and crying from a nightmare. In it, the stranger held that shiny, silver knife to my throat as he laughed that manic laugh I’ll never forget as long as I live. “It’s okay Amy, I’m here,” Teddy said as he rushed to my side. He placed his warm hand in mine and his presence next to me was comforting. For the first time in my life, he had called me by something other than “kid” and I smiled as I drifted back off to sleep. We grew up a lot that summer, Teddy and I. We learned many lessons about life, respect and the love of siblings for each other. Our relationship with each other was ever changed by the events of that day. Seven years later, they finally cleaned up the train yard an in its place, erected a park. Pink blossoming trees and dark green grass created a perfect backdrop for the swings, sandboxes, sliding boards, and a clubhouse shaped like a train. Once again it became a magical place for kids to play. Later that same year, Teddy was drafted to serve in Vietnam. I cried the day we took him to the train station. “It will be okay kid, you’ll see,” he told me giving me a wink and one of his infectious smiles. I couldn’t help but smile back through my tears. “I love you.” “I love you too Amy. Take care of mom and dad for me while I’m gone.” With that, he turned to board the waiting train. My last memory of him is of how very proud he looked when he waved goodbye through that small, dusty window as the train pulled away. His dark hair was combed neatly, brown eyes shining, and his head held high. It was the last time that I was to see him. Had I known, I would have said so much more, but thinking back, I’m sure he already knew. I was at school the day the news came. It had been a year and a half since I watched him proudly board that train. I knew he was gone as soon as I saw my mothers tear streaked face. “No!” I screamed. “Oh God, No! Mom, please don’t say it.” As if saying it would make it not true. Later they explained that Teddy was killed in the line of duty. He had risked his life to save that of another younger soldier. “He died a hero, “ I was told. I already knew that, for he’d always been mine. Tears flowed freely from my eyes as I was overcome by the onslaught of memories. Seven years have passed since they played taps over his open grave and a folded flag was handed to my father who had aged a decade in a matter of days. “I miss you,” I said to the face in the photo. “Mommy? Are you okay?” The soft, hesitant voice pulled me back to the here and now. I turned my head to see a younger, mirror image of the boy in the photograph reflected in the face of my own 5 year-old son. His brown eyes looked at me in a questioningly way as he brushed a lock of his dark hair away from his face. The resemblance to my brother was uncanny. “I’m okay Teddy. You ready for that trip to the park I promised you?” “I wanna play on the train,” he replied with that infectious smile that lit up his entire face. I smiled back. “Go on, I’ll be right down.” I turned to look at the contents of the box scattered haphazardly on the floor, picked up the photograph, followed his tiny footsteps down the stairs, and left the rest for another day. The End ------------------ This is courage...to bear unflinchingly what heaven sends. ~Eurpides |
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| © Copyright 1999 Ruth Kephart - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Watcher666 Senior Member
since 1999-10-13
Posts 1606 |
Hoot this was a beautiful story.Enjoyed this very much.Thank-You! ------------------ Illusion...what we see and what we do...it's all up to you. |
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Saxoness
since 1999-07-18
Posts 1102Texas |
Thanks to you, I missed breakfast this morning! lol Got caught up in your story. But don't worry, it was well worth it! ------------------ "Glory remains unaware of my neglected dwelling where alone I sing my tearful song which has charms only for me." -Charles Brugnot |
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Marilyn Member Elite
since 1999-09-26
Posts 2621Ontario, Canada |
Beautiful hoot...simply beautiful..*wiping the tears from my cheek*. I hope the added duties of being a moderator will not keep you from writing prose. You wind a story gloriously. |
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Systematic Decay Senior Member
since 1999-09-15
Posts 1301That place with padded walls and funny people in white......... |
HEY! Did you have to make Teddy die???  The end was so sad.....But a beautiful story indeed. Thanks for sharing it.------------------ "Despite all my rage, I am still just a rat in a cage." -Billy Corgan- |
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DreamEvil Member Elite
since 1999-06-22
Posts 2396 |
Ruth, I have truly enjoyed this tale for a wondrous read it is. ------------------ Now and forever, my heart hears ~one voice~. DreamEvil© |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Thanks everyone, especially for baring through this one with me I'm glad you enjoyed, sorry about Teddy, but that's the way the story line flowed...got to go with the flow you know |
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JennyLee Senior Member
since 1999-09-01
Posts 1461Northwestern, NJ. |
Hoot,loved this whole story, a pleasure to read,too bad for Teddy though!! Jenny |
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johnt300 Member
since 1999-09-12
Posts 214san diego, ca. |
Very descriptive and exciting. I hope there's more to come. They are only getting better with each one, Ruth. Tyson |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Jenny and Tyson, thank you both for the wonderful comments |
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Christopher
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-02
Posts 8296Purgatorial Incarceration |
Ruth...you should seriously consider submitting your stories for publication! |
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Iloveit Senior Member
since 1999-09-02
Posts 1121NM |
ruth, I hadn't ever been to the prose forum, I just learned today what I had been missing your story is excellent, really enjoyed it, great writing girl |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Christopher...I have to find someplace to submit them to first Iloveit....thanks, see what you're missing Lets see something from you here now |
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