Ducky

Ten Years Later

Evening Journal Pages

I had a pleasant surprise this afternoon when Joshua came by my room. I hadn't seen him for a couple of years now, which is generally the pattern. He stopped by to see me pretty often the first years after kindergarten, then only occasionally after middle school- just like most of my students. 

I instantly recognized him through he is taller than me now and his hair has darkened up a lot (this is really common and started to happen in the second grade). The biggest difference was his demeanor and confidence. He seemed ready to take on the world.

"Joshua! How are you?" I exclaimed.

"I'm doing well."

"You look well."

"I can't stay long. I have to study for exams. But, I wanted to see you before I leave."

I just looked at him. Leaving can mean many things.

"My grandparents are moving across town, so I'll be in a new school next year."

"You're living with your grandparents then."

"Yeah, for a couple years now. It's better this way."

"Understood."

"Listen. I just want to thank you again for giving me that toy duck all those years ago. I made all the difference..."

I just nodded since I was quite a bit perplexed. Could a toy have helped all that much? 

"... And I wanted to let you know that I recently gave it to a neighbor kid who really needed it.  I used to hear her parents screaming at her all the time. I hope you don't mind."

"Not at all. It was yours to give."

"I know. I just would've felt guilty if I hadn't said anything. I don't know what the rules are about this kind of "special" thing." He put a strange emphasis on the word "special" as if I was supposed to understand exactly what he meant.

He promised to invite me to his graduation in two years and gave me a very embarrassed hug. 

I cried a bit after Joshua left. Tears of relief. At least there was one happy ending. Maybe Ducky could help his little neighbor as well. Somehow.

I guess I will never know how Ducky helped all that much, or why he expected it to help his little neighbor. Some mysteries are just never solved.

Author's Note: Photo by Anthony Delanoix for Unsplash. I like how the young man is looking out into the world & this is what I want to convey about Joshua. You can imagine his face all by yourself.