Back to Short Stories Close Window

A MilesVisions Short Story   

"Take Flight"

Mark stared dumbly out the window, counting the ducks down on the lake.   It was a glorious autumn morning.  Mist rose off the lake shrouding the ducks in gauze that lifted and fell in a slow rhythm.  Something spooked the birds and they rose in unison, circled and landed further down the shore, disappearing into the fog.

Mark came over and sat beside Charlie, took his hand and waited.   Together they were silently puzzling out life.  Their time for today was almost over, and Mark felt the energy slipping away.  He stood up and walked back to the window, then turned to face Charlie.

"Time's up for today.  Life's awaiting my friend."

He looked into Charlie's eyes and saw the face of the gentle man who would not or could not speak out caused by some deeply buried hurt.

"Tomorrow then?  Are you going to finish the new canvas soon?"

Charlie nodded, sprang to his feet like the startled ducks, responding to an uncontrollable urge to take flight.

© 1998, 2005 Miles O'Bryan, San Francisco, CA. All rights reserved. LAST UPDATED:  January 11th, 2005