The Bird That Flew

chapter eighteen -- final

The first week Zoltan was home carried a lot of weight for all of his family. Dinner times were still awkward as Tobias did not know what to say to anyone. He kept silent most of the time whenever Zoltan was near, which was a big change compared to how it was before the incident. Tobias felt immense guilt for the way he treated his family and especially his son. He still did not know how to fix it. He wasn't sure he could. But Zoltan tried often to reassure him that he had forgiven him and that he just needed to put it in God's hands. But Tobias was stubborn. Slowly, however, things began to heal.

His descion to risk his life for Stanislaus had humbled his entire family. They finally saw the heart of who he really was. In a way, it helped them understand him better. Even his mother. The whole ordeal was mainly a wake-up call for Zoltan's father. Soon, he started acting a lot more respectful towards his son and his family. He realized business was not as important as the life of his son. He learned to not be so controlling over his son's career choices, no matter how much he may have disagreed with them. And if his son did not want to take over his hunting business, he would have to accept it and choose to support him in whatever path he chose.

Zoltan spent a lot of time alone in his bedroom writing and drawing again. Tobias had given back all of his books and art supplies from the shed for him the first day they brought him back home. Zoltan found his story about the brave mountain climber and began writing in it again. He printed out all of the pictures he had on his camera and taped them to his wall to look at while he was on bedrest.

After Zoltan's collarbone had healed up enough for the cast to be removed, he went back to the bookstore in the city and accepted the job offer and began working under the owner's guidance as a shop keeper and organizer. He started to save money to enroll in the arts college for the creative writing courses.

The first Sunday after Zoltan was able to, he went to the church with his family--together. After they arrived, almost every member of the congregation walked up to Zoltan to thank him for protecting the homeless man--who they now realized had been living behind the courtyard all along. They also asked him how he was doing since the incident. Zoltan was not used to receiving so much personal attention! The story him befriending and later saving the homeless man had made the whole town realize what a compassionate member they had in their church.

As Zoltan and his family was finding a place to sit on the pews, Zoltan was shocked to see the old homeless man walking down the aisle dressed in clean clothes and a Bible under his arm. He could hardly recognize him! Stanislaus smiled and threw out his arms for an embrace.

"What happened?" Zoltan asked him with a grin after the hug ended. "I haven't seen you since I was in the hospital."

"I held up my end of the deal," Stanislaus said. "Friends keep their promises, you know."

Zoltan looked at him and smiled.

"I am staying with social workers in the city--they are friends of the priest." Stanislaus added. "After I left the hospital from visiting you, the police interviewed me about what happened and then introduced me to the priest, who immediately directed me to help."

Before service began, the priest mentioned Zoltan and talked about his example of loving the least of people the way Jesus instructed. He thanked his kindness warmly while everyone in the congregation looked to Zoltan and smiled. This made Zoltan sink into his seat, but he was very encouraged nontheless. Everyone was thanking him for his example and deed. But Stanislaus was the most thankful of them all. He was thankful that one person, a person who once felt so alone and worthless, took a chance and opened his heart to him. He showed the old homeless man a love that ultimately led him back to greatest Love of all.

It was a beautiful morning.

A few weeks after Spring time had arrived, Zoltan walked up to his bedroom window and opened it. Looking below at the bush outside, he noticed a small nest of baby birds. He looked up and saw the tree that was once covered with ice was now blooming with new leaves. He took his camera from his desk and took a picture of it and printed it out and taped it to the rest of the photos on his wall. All the while thanking God for the growth he experienced in the past winter, and for the homeless man--who believed in him. And gave him the courage to fly.

And he flew.

FIN