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For Dad

December 23, 2021 25 Comments

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Ethan clenched his saxophone with a death grip.

“Relax,” said his teacher.

Frustrated with the sour notes, Ethan’s eyes filled.

“I can’t,” he mumbled.

For two weeks, Ethan practiced in secret at his friend Jack’s house so his mom wouldn’t hear. She cried every day since the officers delivered the news. “Friendly fire,” they said.

At the funeral, soldiers in white gloves folded the flag and presented it to Ethan’s mom. When the bugler lifted his instrument, Ethan stood.

“Wait!” he shouted.

He took his saxophone from Jack.

“This is for Dad.”

He then played taps without a single sour note.

By Rita Riebel Mitchell

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Vivian says

    December 23, 2021 at 7:34 am

    Beautiful…

    Reply
  2. Jake says

    December 23, 2021 at 7:39 am

    Great job at capturing a tender moment.

    Reply
  3. Joan Reed says

    December 23, 2021 at 8:11 am

    Heartfelt

    Reply
  4. Coci says

    December 23, 2021 at 9:06 am

    Really captures the feelings.
    Nicely done!

    Reply
  5. Helen C says

    December 23, 2021 at 9:16 am

    Very moving!

    Reply
  6. Joann S says

    December 23, 2021 at 10:03 am

    Heart warming and captures the moment. Nice job!

    Reply
  7. Joann S says

    December 23, 2021 at 10:35 am

    Wonderfully done capturing the moment!

    Reply
  8. Rita+Riebel-Mitchell says

    December 23, 2021 at 12:23 pm

    Thanks to everyone for reading and commenting!
    🙂

    Reply
  9. Lele says

    December 23, 2021 at 4:30 pm

    Lovely.

    Reply
    • Rita says

      December 26, 2021 at 8:56 pm

      🙂

      Reply
  10. Scott Brian Blanke says

    December 23, 2021 at 5:22 pm

    Really moved me. Thank you

    Reply
    • Rita says

      December 26, 2021 at 8:56 pm

      Thanks!

      Reply
  11. David Berger says

    December 23, 2021 at 9:56 pm

    I found the use of names and pronouns to be confusing.

    Reply
    • Rita says

      December 26, 2021 at 8:55 pm

      Thanks for reading and offering your perspective. I appreciate the comment.

      Reply
  12. Mary A Gorman says

    December 24, 2021 at 7:19 am

    Beautiful it evoked tears powerful use of words. Keep on Writing

    Reply
    • RRMitchell says

      December 24, 2021 at 7:29 am

      Thank you!

      Reply
  13. Pete says

    December 25, 2021 at 8:08 am

    Well done! You do so much with only 101 words. No easy task.

    Reply
    • Rita says

      December 26, 2021 at 8:54 pm

      Thanks, Pete!

      Reply
  14. Meredith Chiwenkpe Asuru says

    December 29, 2021 at 7:33 am

    I pray the notes don’t get sour again after dad is laid to rest. Nice imagery.

    Reply
    • Rita Riebel-Mitchell says

      December 31, 2021 at 12:23 pm

      Thanks!

      Reply
  15. dlherrmann says

    December 29, 2021 at 11:25 am

    Taps is the most heartbreaking sound at your father’s funeral. I know.

    Reply
    • Rita Riebel-Mitchell says

      December 31, 2021 at 12:25 pm

      So sorry for your loss. Thanks for reading my story.

      Reply
  16. Thompson Emate says

    December 29, 2021 at 10:08 pm

    A touching story. I didn’t quite understand the end until I read one of the last comments. A very good write.

    Reply
    • Rita Riebel-Mitchell says

      December 31, 2021 at 12:24 pm

      Thank you. Your comments are appreciated.

      Reply
  17. Kristine Laco says

    January 5, 2022 at 4:23 pm

    Beautiful!

    Reply

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