Write Practice 07-10-2020

14 Prompts by Joe Bunting

THE PROMPT

Write a story about a disabled man and a soldier. What do they say to each other? How do they interact?

To distract myself, I was people watching. The nightmarish roller coaster ride of dancing lights, muffled gunshots and loud explosions were the kaleidoscope behind my eyelids whenever I dared shut them. I was situated ideally.  Seen from the park entrance,  on a 45-degree angle, I was sitting slightly offset and setback, but still able to see everything. As my gaze made another careful 180, I mentally cataloged each detail. I registered an elderly man approaching from the west. Maybe if I concentrated on this man, my head wouldn’t explode. When will the insanity end? I barely stopped myself from grabbing my head and tearing out my hair, which couldn’t possibly hurt more.

I forced myself to take in a huge breath, and then my hand flew to my pounding temple. I had forgotten not to shake my head. Not a bright idea when my brains were feeling like an overripe watermelon ready to burst. Rubbing gritty eyes, I refocussed on the elderly gentleman still on an intercepting trajectory to my current position. By my calculation, he would be abreast of my location within 35 seconds. I confirmed the time with an imperceptible glance.

Suddenly alert, I glanced up and took a quick look around, hastily bringing my attention back to the man in front of me. Well, he was almost in front of me, but he had dropped his speed to a snail’s pace, affording me a sharper look at his stooped shoulders and painfully swollen hands topped with crooked fingers held in a rigid claw formation. It didn’t escape my notice that he was also struggling for breath.

Strangely drawn to this elderly man, I found myself propelled forward. I reached him in one long stride. As I placed myself within easy reach in case he needed me, I asked, “How are you doing this fine day, sir?” Thinking this would present an opportunity for him to steady himself and not be too embarrassed. “Please, have a seat next to me, right here,” I pointed behind me as I led him to the park bench.

He nodded slowly while a ghost of a smile touched his lips. With a slight tip of his head, our gazes locked.  “Thank you, young man. I was looking for a splendid place to settle these old bones for a spell and I think this will do perfectly,” he intoned.

Time slowed while we sat amicably watching the beautiful day unfold. The lush green park came to life, drawing a crowd of people to play and socialize under the warmth of the bright sunny day. We both seemed to take slower, fuller breaths as our minds became fully entranced in the surrounding commotion.

“And how might you be doing today, young man? You look possibly perturbed,” he said without turning to look at me.

Before I could ponder my reply, I divulged my inner demons. “I feel like I’m losing my mind.” As I glanced at this stranger’s face I felt an unexpected kinship, as if we had both been down this road together. “This last tour — my last one before I completed my time — it’s still haunting me. Every day, every night, almost ever minute of the day.” I found my voice winding down to a near whisper. With my head down, I saw the old man’s crooked fingers slowly reach my arm to pat it twice.

“Thank you for your service, young man. My name is Kevin,” he intoned in a near breathless rasp.

“Hello, Kevin. My name is Paul. I can’t believe I was still naïve enough to believe my last tour would be like a hero tour or something. You know — where I would do something significant.” I shook my head, forgetting about the ensuing brain sloshing followed by that action. “I come to this park to seek a little peace, any kind of change from the endless nightmare loop my mind runs on. Here, I can watch the people and gather intel, keep my mind occupied with anything besides my memories.”

“Paul, you and I are not that different. I, too, come here to take my mind off troubles. Well, pain really,” he quietly confessed. “Paul, have you ever played Eye Spy?” He asked. “It may further distract you,” he smiled.

A chuckle burst from me. I couldn’t believe it. This older gentleman was being so helpful. As I nodded my head, I said. “Yes, Kevin, I vaguely remember playing that game on lengthy road trips with my family. Let’s flip a coin. What will you call it?” I smiled.

“I’ll call it heads then.” Kevin stated with a sage nod of his silver head.

I expertly tossed the coin in the air and with a flourish slapped it down on my opposite arm. I was getting into this now. In no time it seemed we were laughing, having a grand time while each of us tried to one-up the other. You never know when a stranger will come along at just the right time to provide a welcome distraction.