By Greg Nooney
“I promise we’ll play catch tomorrow,” his father said on the phone. The boy remembered three things his father taught him. ‘Early to bed, early to rise’ was one, so he woke early, grabbed his baseball, mitt and favorite cap, and waited by the curb. Again and again, he threw his baseball up as high as he could, caught it, and waited. When dinner time came, something shifted in his gut and the back of his throat, and the boy realized he could follow the second thing, ‘Never give up,’ or the third, ‘Be careful whom you trust,’ but not both.
Oh wow. This hurts my heart.
Exactly like ‘Cat in The Cradle’ by Harry Chaplin. Good job.
I agree w Scott, good reminder of Harry Chapin’s message in Cats in the Cradle. Thanks Greg
Brilliant summary of a troubling relationship. Thank you.
Poor kid.
A sad lesson learned.
This is so well written. And so deeply sad.
In my mind, I can see the kid.
I like the way you played the three things his dad taught him! Great but sad story.
Sweet and sad, well done!
Greg, great job! ?
Sadly, it’s true in many families in today’s world.
Life is short. I wish everyone could remember that & enjoy the moments. Kids grow up so fast, plus they never forget those moments, especially the painful ones.
Thank you all for your kind words
I really like this. Everything.
the characters of the boy and his dad are clear, and one wonders what this disappointment will do to the boy.