This is a short piece I wrote at a writing workshop in Johnson City back in June, 2009. The characters are interesting to me: Michael in his personality contrasts, such as wanting to be rid of the old man but having enough compassion to help him with a problem; and Leon Jarvis because of the comparison made to Michael’s father.

The exercise was twofold: In the first section, we were given a picture from which to springboard a story. My picture was of a young white man in a business suit standing at the hospital bedside of an elderly black man. I changed the roles and put the elderly white man in the bed and made the young African-American the visitor. The racial delineation is not present in the story at this point, but it was when I dreamed it up. The second portion of the exercise was to give depth to the character by describing items that would be present in a carry-all that was on the person, such as a purse or, in Michael Knight’s case, a briefcase. This is the inkling of story that emerged from those exercises.

I think it has the potential to turn into a pretty good story one day, but for now it is only this small piece.

Please take a moment to read it, and let me know what you think! You can leave comments by clicking on “Write comment” at the bottom of this post.

I look forward to hearing from you, Dear Reader!

———

“I feel horrible,” says Michael Knight.

“As you should, son,” the old man shoots back. “I’ve been crossing that street for thirty years, and you come barreling down the road, paying no mind, and nearly knock my block off! It’s a good thing all you caught was my cane; that can be replaced!”

Jarvis pushed the intravenous lines away from himself for the sixth time since Michael arrived in his room.

“Mr. Jarvis, please accept my apology.” Michael looks at Leon Jarvis, laying in bed doing nothing but growing older and crankier before the world’s eyes, and a sneer grows in his mind. Once I’m out of here, I’ll never have to deal with you again, old man. The thought festers in his mind until it leaks out onto his face. (more…)