The Nice Thing About Strangers
Creative Non-Fiction Short Stories. :) Travel, Oldsters, Love, and Compassion.
Way Far Away
He is tiny in Timberland boots. He holds the orange plastic bat over his shoulder, as his father shows him. When Dad tosses the light, white plastic ball the little boy swings. He misses once. He connects on the next very slow pitch.
“Wow, right, Dad? Wow!”
“Yeah, wow, that was great!”
“I hit it way way way way faaaaaaar away. I hit it all the way to my house.”
Dad doesn’t split hairs about how far his son hits the ball, but only heaps praise and encouragement. When his son misses, the boy tries a golf swing at the ball on the ground, swooshing past the white lump in front of him on several occasions. “You can throw it. Okay? You can throw it instead,” the father figures they have a good thing going with the baseball attempts, and golf can wait.
The boy sighs after a few more pitches, “It’s your turn to hit.”
“Are you tired?”
“No, you look tired, Dad. You look like you could use some juice.”
So Dad admits, “Yeah, let’s get some juice.”
“I’ll have some with you.” The boy hustles over to his father’s side, and they walk together–way way way far away–crossing the mere ten paces to reach their home.
-In the USA
The Nice Thing About Strangers 
Perfect. Thank you Paige.
🙂 Thank you, Jeff. I imagine you’re this sort of Dad.
Paige
Lovely, Paige – just lovely.
M-R,
I was outside reading and they just happened to come to the yard nearby. I’m so pleased that sometimes the stories find me! 🙂
Paige
Oh, me too !
Nice one, Paige…great observation, as ever!
Pure happiness. 🙂 Thank you, Paige!
You’re very welcome, Nia! Thank you for your comment and support. You rock! 🙂
Paige
🙂
great story about a great father and his son. Brings back memories
BeAutifully observed as always. I thought of you this week when I took my grandchildren to a model railway on a farm park. We were sitting in the cafe when they entered, two young adults, he is oil covered working clothes and she in smart waitress attire. They were so much in love it hurt to watch, they couldn’t bear to be parted. He took her right to the counter where she donned her apron for her job serving teas and snacks then he went off to work on the trains. Their eyes were locked together right until he left the building. It was so magical to watch as if the world around them did not exist. It actually brought tears to my eyes and I wished you were there to capture the moment as only you can.
Aaah! I loved this story! 🙂 I think you captured it very well. I’m so glad that you though of me and shared the moment with me. I’m always happy to be thought of when nice things are happening.
I hope you had a lovely day with your grandchildren beyond the fawning couple as well. What a special time it is to be with a grandmother.
Paige