Monday, June 2, 2014

Strollers

This wont last.
That was his thought when he saw the couple with the stroller going by his old home. He had come back for a graduation party and he was waiting for the graduate to arrive with his parents. John was early and sat on the porch looking across the street at his old home trying to remember what it was like then. His own son had graduated the week before.
And then he saw the couple walking slowly down the sidewalk. He saw them  taking small steps and looking around like someone might come up and steal their baby. And he remembered doing that. He remembered coming home from the hospital with their son eighteen years before and walking around the block. And he didn't know where those eighteen years went. He had no idea.
He left the porch and walked over to the couple who stopped and stared at him.
Listen I just had to tell you I did this too.
They continued to stare at him.
I mean eighteen years ago we did the same thing. My wife and I. We came home from the hospital and took our son in his stroller around the block.
The young couple stared at John who was sweating. The woman was standing over her baby and the man had moved in front of her.
What do you want?  The man demanded fiercely.
John stared at the man and the woman bent over her child.
Well...nothing. I just wanted to tell you it doesn't last. I mean you think it will right now but suddenly you blink and eighteen years have gone by.
The man squinted at him.
Get away or I'm calling the cops.
John gestured with his arms wildy.
No...no...don't you understand. I am doing you a favor. THIS DOESNT LAST.  You.....you think it will go on forever. But it doesn't....it just...ends.
The man and the woman started walking again .
Stay away from us the man shouted back. You're nuts.
John stood on the sidewalk and stared after them.
He would never survive his son growing up.

www.williamhazelgrove.com

1 comment:

  1. I mean eighteen years ago we did the same thing. My wife and I. We came home from the hospital and took our son in his stroller around the block. EE Customer Service

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