- October 2011 -
An old man sat on a wooden pew in a recently-emptied rural church. A range of emotions danced across the valleys of his aged face. Deep in thought, he bowed his head into his open palms. Every person he once held dear was now gone. As a younger man, he had been warned of this. The first time he heard the fortune teller's prophecy, he dismissed it quickly. The then-young man found it hard to believe anyone could be destined to live a solitary life, let alone himself. As time went on, he slowly found himself drifting along the lonely path she foresaw all those years before. Though now her prophetic words never resonated more true. He was entirely alone. At the thought of his solitary existence, the old man wept.
Hearing a rather swift set of approaching footsteps, the elder lifted his head. His moist sorrows traversed through the gorges of his furrowed cheeks. Wiping his tears, he turned to face the black robed figure as it took a seat to his left.
“I'll be on my way soon, Father,” said the old man.
“There is no rush to leave God’s house, my brother,” said the priest to the old man. He sighed, acknowledging the silent code of respect he often upheld in the presence of grey men. “I understand this must have been a difficult day for you. I am here for you, if you would like to talk.”
The old man rested his shaking hand on the young priest’s knee. He could see the youthful innocence in the priest’s countenance. The old man knew the young man could not possibly understand how he felt, but he appreciated the thoughtful attempt at offering condolence.
At the thought of his own similar youthful innoncence many years past, he became keenly aware of his limited time remaining After her funeral service today, the old man knew what he should do. Truthfully, he feared departing the world without anyone knowing his secret. He knew he had a story that needed to be told before it was too late. The faintest glint of a tear returned, welling up in the corner of his eye. Turning to the young man, he cleared his throat and began to tell the story he had witheld for over 60 years.
YOU ARE READING
His Autumn ON HOLD
Historical FictionAfter the funeral of the last person he ever loved, an old man feels he must confide the story of the secret behind his solitude in a younger man. This is Theodore Hendricks' tale about life choices and a young love once lost.
