THE GLASS TOP COFFIN (standard:drama, 2566 words) [11/12] show all parts
Author: Stephen-Carver Byrd	Added: Jan 06 2003	Views/Reads: 2606/1907	Part vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
*** Part 12*** The Last Chapter Of "The Glass Top Coffin" --The Final Rendezvous

THE GLASS TOP COFFIN 

*** Part 11*** The Final Rendezvous 

By: Stephen Bryan (HurricaneWarning) 

The morning air had an unusual crisp ring, making Kate decide to serve
breakfast out on the front veranda. She called to Jordan and Meagan. 
When Jordan saw all the food he was surprised. “This time, you really 
out did yourself, honey, what's the special occasion?” 

“Of course I out did myself. And it's always a special occasion whenever
I have my little sweetie over.” Kate lightly pinched Meagan's puffy 
cheek. Skipper, Jordan's twelve-year old Labrador retriever, smelled 
the morning banquet and slowly strolled onto the porch, his nose 
sticking high in the air. The three ate hardily on eggs, pancakes, 
homemade bread, sausage and beacon. It was a fine breakfast but 
Meagan's favorite part of the event was feeding Skipper her sausage 
links. 

Everyone pitched in to clean up then Kate handed Jordan his lunchbox. It
was Monday morning and time for his morning walk to the store -- 
business as usual except this particular morning a fine young lady 
would accompany him and skipper. Meagan held on tightly to his hand as 
they waved Kate an all-out goodbye. Half way up the long trail Jordan 
stopped and pointed out a large brown rabbit hiding in the bushes. 
Meagan screeched in excitement and Skipper just gawked at the furry 
creature, wishing he were ten years younger. Jordan nodded to his left 
and they entered a small spur trail that eventually dead-ended into a 
bubbling natural spring. It was pure and clean and its source came was 
from somewhere deep within the Earth. Jordan cupped his hands and 
placed them into the ice-cold water. He lifted them and gave Meagan a 
small sip. This was a very special place that Jordan had discovered as 
a boy. The water tasted just as cold and good now as it did some 
seventy-three years ago. Skipper stuck his huge tongue into the little 
pool and began slurping hard. Meagan and Jordan both laughed. They 
walked back to the main trail and started toward the highway. When they 
arrived there was only light farm traffic. 

Jordan hoisted Meagan up onto his shoulders and they walked along the
side of the road toward the store. Along the way they passed Jimmy 
Watson, a meager, yet established tobacco farmer who's grandparents 
never contemplated the idea of selling out during the turbulent scare 
of the late 1980's. He stopped his blue and white tractor and shut down 
the roaring engine then spat a long string of tobacco juice onto the 
road. “Well, who's that sweet lookin' little gal ya got there, Jordi?” 

“She's my sweet little great grand gal,” Jordan returned, a nice
quantity of pride in his voice. 

“I say that must be Dr. Taylor's youngster, huh?” 

“Yep,” Jordan answered. “Guess you could say, both Dr. Taylor‘s
youngster. Tim and Heather are down in Atlanta for a few days, some 
sort of big medical convention. Can't ever keep up with those two. 
We've got Meagan here until Wednesday, anyway.” 

“How ya been feeling lately, Jordi,” Jimmy asked. 

“Not too bad for an old fart,” he said, not mentioning the quickly
advancing Parkinson disease. “Kate's got so damn much energy, she keeps 
me young, whether I like it or not.” 

“Well you take care of that little sweet gal there, she's sure somethin'
to be right proud of,“ Jimmy said, right before starting up the loud 
tractor engine. 

Jordan snapped a head in appreciation and Jimmy took off down the
highway, blowing black smoke into a beautiful North Carolina morning 
sky. 

Every car they passed along the way, beeped and waved at Jordan and
Meagan. Jordan was no longer famous for his writing these days, he was 
just a good Falls Hills neighbor. And that's what good neighbors do in 
this little part of the world, they beep and wave, they beep and wave. 


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