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Leap of Faith

As the man on the roof, took two steps towards the edge, he was unexpectedly stopped by the sound of a bright and familiar voice, down below. "I thought you were at work dad, watcha doing up there?", asked Daisy with a serious look on her face. He was hoping she wouldn't have to witness this, and was desperately thinking of ways around it, to explain his actions. "I came home early, honey and well-- things will be a little bit different from now on, sweet pea... please, just go back inside" She hugged herself tight as the autumn wind attacked her bare arms. It was freezing out here. And although she longed for her cocoa and wool blanket inside, daddy just wasn't making any sense. "I'm scared... you always said that the roof was dangerous and--" Her slightly panicked plea was cutoff by yet another familiar voice, though with an unusually angry tone to it, like the sound of fingernails on a chalkboard... but not quite. "Charles! What on earth are you doing up there?", roared from what only could be Daisy's mother. The man on the ledge, sighed. Two problems arising in the span of a few minutes. There's just no way around this, if I'm gonna do this at all I gotta do it now! He thought to himself. He took a couple steps back, inhaled a quick breath, and lifted his leg as if it sprint. While gritting his teeth and slamming his eyes closed he leaped off the edge into the blustery cold day. And in mid-air he hugged his legs tightly with his arms, creating an impressive cannonball shape. A great whoosh sound happened, as the girls immediately raised their arms in defense of the coming splash. "You just ruined your best suit!", said the woman, as the man lifted his head up from the icy chlorinated water, with a mad grin on his face. "Well it looks like I won't be needing it anymore." "You mean, you-- Oh Charles, what are we gonna-- Oh Charles," she incoherently blabbered on. "It's alright dear, something will come up. There's a whole world of possibilities now," he gestured with his arms at the general area of their front lawn. "I'll do something else, something better even. A detective, an archaeologist, an astronaut--" "Or maybe an Olympic diver!", shouted Daisy contentedly. "Anything's possible," he chuckled. And on that note, they left their front lawn, while half a dozen anthills fended against the unexpected flooding. And as they walked through the front door of the house, they were uncertain to keep, they all held hands, and spent the rest of the afternoon playing board games. Late at night when everyone else was asleep, he walked in his pyjamas and gazed through the window. The pool was mirror-flat, filled with silver moonlight, and autumn leaves were casually floating on its surface. A good day, Charles thought. Today was a good day.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2013




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Date: 5/20/2013 6:22:00 PM
This was a great twist Tim, you are a Superb Story Teller. Great job!
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Timothy Hicks
Date: 5/20/2013 9:46:00 PM
Thanks Rick... your comments mean a lot to me!
Date: 5/20/2013 9:46:00 AM
This was so good! I kept thinking he was going to commit suicide, but was much happier that it was just his job instead! This was an enjoyable read. So talented!!!
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Timothy Hicks
Date: 5/20/2013 9:46:00 PM
You are ever so kind, Caleah! You are my most prolific reader... lol! I am happy you were fooled by my twist :)
Date: 5/20/2013 9:23:00 AM
How many can relate to this. I've been there. This was excellently written!
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Timothy Hicks
Date: 5/20/2013 9:45:00 PM
It's a bit different I admit... when I first wrote it I was honestly very apprehensive about sharing it... but now that I see others can take joy from it I don't regret it in the slightest :)
Date: 5/20/2013 7:55:00 AM
Well written. got me in going from beginning to end :)
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Timothy Hicks
Date: 5/20/2013 9:44:00 PM
Thank you Sasha :)
Date: 5/20/2013 6:51:00 AM
Timothy...fine writing...no doubt about it.
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Timothy Hicks
Date: 5/20/2013 9:44:00 PM
Sorry... that was meant for Eileen below... happy you liked my story Caleb! You're one of my favorite narrative poets on the site... so it means a lot coming from you!
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Timothy Hicks
Date: 5/20/2013 9:43:00 PM
SAGA!... apparently I'm not proofreading either!
Date: 5/20/2013 5:17:00 AM
Timothy! I did NOT expect that ending! I thought he was going to commit suicide and I was like...NO...not in front of your daughter!!!! WOW! This is exceptionally good! Really...I don't want to be superfluous, but you really did so well! I think I know where you got the inspiration from! BTW...still waiting for your comments on the whole Betty Boop saga! Hugs!
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Timothy Hicks
Date: 5/20/2013 9:43:00 PM
My intention was to fool the reader... ha ha. So happy you enjoyed my story! I don't write short stories often, but every once in a great while an idea pops into my head... Make a Betty Boop Sag! Why not? :)

Book: Reflection on the Important Things