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Tom's
Page > Writing > The Last Chapter of Degrees & Inches
| This is an exert from the last chapter of Degrees
and Inches. Please note that these works must be considered only as 'in progress'. Most of it is in a raw, unedited form. It contains numerous misspellings, grammatical errors, run-ons, fragments and every other possible error. including personal judgement, opinion and stereotyping. But I've found that when the mood to write strikes me I better get my thoughts down on paper. The editing will also take place here so there will be constant changes. |
The two men embraced in the bright corridor. They stopped and held each other, heedless of the people who were forced to walk around them. Ignoring the glances and stares of passerby’s they held each other. They kissed. "I’ve missed you so much." The taller man was at least 25 years older than the shorter one. Although his hair was brown, the gray mustache was the giveaway. "An old man and his boy-toy," muttered an even older man. He was seated in the row behind the younger man and followed him off the plane. "I missed you, too." The couple started walking, linked arm in arm. Reaching the escalator they traveled down to the luggage area. They reached a bank of the ubiquitous plastic chairs inhabiting virtually every airport. The younger man guided the older one to a place to sit down. "Here, pop. Sit down. Don’t cry." Tom had not seen his son for almost a year. Now he was holding him. He was crying, overcome with emotion, his knees were wobbling. "It’s okay, pop." Tom hugged his son hard and then released him, wiping his eyes. "Sorry, Jeffey, I mean Jeff." "I’m going down to get my bag. Are you okay?" "Yeah, I’m fine," Tom continued to wipe his face. "Sure?" "Yeah, I’m okay," knowing all too well that he wasn’t. Tom watched the young man walk to the luggage carousel 50 yards away. Jeffrey Thomas Wood, his only child, was now 27 years old and an experience homicide investigator. Tom remembered Jeff’s first full day on earth. He was born at 9:16 p.m. the night before. The next day in the nursery he watched as the pediatrician give Jeff his first physical exam. The doctor had a big smile on his faced as he talked to the newborn about his enormous eyes. Tom cried then, too. © Thomas N. Wood, 2002-2004 All Rights Reserved This work, or any portion thereof, may not be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without the express written consent of the author. |
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