Morning all. I don’t know why but this week has just seemed extra rough to me. It seemed really long, yet I only got about half of what I planned to do done. I think it is because everyone kept adding things to my todo list. But we have reached Friday so set those timers and lets see what the last prompt of the week brings.
Interesting. I will need to think of details, but I do like the thought of a story where someone realizes what they want and reaches that crossroads moment. Where they realize that they will only play by the rules so far. I rushed through a lot of it to filter in things so I won’t forget. But I will pull this apart and play later.
Friday, March 8th: I can see that you think this is important.
“I can see that you think this is important,” he said. Kevin nodded, his throat too dry to speak. His father looked over the papers. “I will look it over and think about it.”
Again, Kevin nodded. His father set the papers to the side and then turned back to his own work. Kevin recognized it as a dismissal and without a word, turned and left his father’s office. He held his breath until he reached his room and then, once safely inside and behind the closed door did he let it out in a steady stream. He gulped in fresh air.
‘I did it,’ he thought. He felt a flash of pride as well as the quiver of trepidation. He knew his father had plans for him. He knew that his father had plans for each of them. But Kevin had his own plans, his own dreams and he wanted leave to pursue them. No one ever challenged his father though. Not his older brothers and sisters, not even his stepbrothers. No one challenged there father’s decree about the way things were arranged.
Kevin knew that if he did, he would have one shot, one chance to persuade their father that he could do something else. He researched. He looked at the details. He came up with a solid plan and he then reassessed his plan. He spent months tweaking the details and creating a presentation he thought would sway his father. Finally he reached a stage where he thought he could do no more. It was either present the proposal to his father or forget about it and accept the place his father decreed for him.
He bided his time. He waited for signs of a good mood. He made certain to behave himself for long stretches not becoming entangled in anything that would remotely call into question his judgement. And then, when he thought his father might have a spare moment, he picked up the packet he created and used every ounce of courage he possessed to walk into his father’s home office and ask if he had a moment. After the initial surprise, his father listened instead of immediately sending him away.
Now the packet was with him and there was nothing more Kevin could do. For a brief moment he felt only relief. Then the relief at having made the effort faded. Worry returned. What would his father think? He had done his best but was it good enough or would he find Kevin’s efforts laughable. Would he et it to the side and forget it?
Kevin began to pace the room. He knew he couldn’t go back. Once he started looking into what he wanted, thinking of the possibilities, letting it go and accepting something else seemed intolerable. It was what gave him the courage to present the proposal to his father in the first place. It was what he truly wanted.
‘It is important,’ he thought. Kevin realized he wasn’t willing to let it go. If his father refused, Kevin would have to act. To find another way. He could not let it go. As the thought hit him, Kevin stopped his pacing. He blinked in realization. There were only two options now. His father would accept and help him. Or his father would reject, and he would strike out on his own.
There was no middle ground. Kevin had made his decision.
Ten til Midnight 