Feel the Breeze: Chapter Seven!

[C-Breeze 182]

 

Chapter One  |  Chapter Two  |  Chapter Three  |  Chapter Four

 

Chapter Five  |  Chapter Six

 

Chapter Seven:

The giant walnut tree that sheltered much of our house was heavily laden with nuts. High above in the thick of the branches lived a colony of industrious squirrels who busily set about their task of collecting their prized booty. While things usually ran smoothly, every once in a while one of the little rascals would get a bit too fancy which caused a nut to accidentally careen off the top of our roof. The resulting thump-thump sound was a familiar refrain every time something went amiss. Not that there was anything wrong with that, for if even master acrobats could occasionally drop the ball, I suppose that provided hope for the rest of us.

Besides, its not like it was bothering me, as I was so engrossed watching the VHL game of the week that I could barely hear a thump over the roar of the crowd. Mom was in the kitchen making supper, Dad was in the garage working on something and Jimmy... Well, who cares where Jimmy was. The next thing I remember was jumping off the couch in excitement as my favorite team tied up the game. It was a picture perfect goal and the home crowd was nearly as thrilled as I was.

A few minutes later, Dad walked into the living room and asked me to come outside during the intermission. "Sure," I replied without turning my head or shifting my attention in the slightest. Once I found him in the garage Dad was wearing a sly grin from ear to ear and holding a key chain in his right hand. "What's that," I asked with a growing sense of bewilderment. "Look out front and see," he replied in a playful tone.

So I walked round to the front driveway and nearly collapsed when I saw what was waiting there. I was overcome with a total sense of disbelief so I literally had to pinch myself to make sure it was real. There before my eyes was nothing less than my favorite vehicle of all time. A brand new Jeep Wrangler gleaming in the sunlight! Now Mom and Dad were far from loaded, so it wasn't actually brand new, but I didn't care 'cause it was new to me!

Still unsure whether this was all just some fantastic dream, I stumbled over to the hood and wrapped my arms around the truck. There I stood for what seemed like hours with my heart rapidly beating against the beautiful black paint. Dad had to pry me off it to give me the keys and in return I gave him what could only be described as the tightest hug of my life. "The only thing is, it's a stick," he said, "but I figured you'd be okay with that considering how good you are with sticks!"

"Good dad joke Pops," I blurted out while jumping inside to take a look around... Now I'd be the first to admit I was totally biased, but everything looked way better than I ever thought it would. The Jeep looked great and it felt right. Yes I started and stalled off and on over the first few days, but it wasn't long before I was handling her like a pro.

You know how people always say 'chase your dreams, chase your dreams...' Well that day I finally understood why. It's because nothing in the world feels as good as watching a dream come true!

[TO BE CONTINUED]

 

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