It was a clear southern sky that day in late July 1969. I was barely five years old. Now, forty something years later, I would remember this as the most memorable time with my father.
He woke me up late that evening. I was confused. What he was doing?
“Get your slippers on son,” my father said.
But why dad,? Where are we going?”
“Just put your slippers on, I want you to see something.”
Together we drove to a remote spot in the country. It was a beautiful evening.
“Look at all the stars daddy,” I said. “And the moon is so big!”
It was the first time I remember looking at the stars. I suppose that is normal for a five-year old. My father and I walked amongst the sugar cane to a spot along a ditch. We laid down side by side looking into the spotted expanse of darkness.
“Look at the moon, that’s why we came here” he said. “Do you know that at this very moment there are two men there Victor.”
“Huh. What do you mean daddy?”
“There are two men on the moon, two Americans. Be proud son. We beat the Soviets there.”
“Are we going to go to the moon too daddy?”
“No son,” he replied laughing. “It is not America’s intention to inhabit the moon. Just to visit.'”
“Wow! Maybe I could go one day daddy.”
“Maybe so son.”
We were there for what seemed like hours. Just staring at the sky. He pointed out constellations, many I really couldn’t visualize. He told me he believed that there were other creatures in space. He explained that the sky never ends. We talked about his childhood. His mom. He shared his memories. I just listened. It was the only time I remember that he truely talked. It was the greatest moment I spent with him in his brief time on earth. We spent an evening together. Father and son. Along with Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin.
This writing is FICTION.
This was written for the Trifecta Week Fifty-Nine.
INTENTION (noun)
1: a determination to act in a certain way : resolve 2: import, significance 3a : what one intends to do or bring about b : the object for which a prayer, mass, or pious act is offered
- Your response must be between 33 and 333 words.
- You must use the 3rd definition of the given word in your post.
- The word itself needs to be included in your response.
- You may not use a variation of the word; it needs to be exactly as stated above.
- Only one entry per writer.
- Trifecta is open to everyone!! Please join us.
Insightful as to a father-son bonding & poignant too! Very touching.
Thanks. The word limit hampered what I orginally wrote but it seems that the father son bonding worked. Even though it was the only time.
Yes,it did:-)
very lovely!
Awe…glad you enjoyed it. TY
I love the bond on display here. A lovely piece.
Thanks Draug! Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for stopping by.
Poignant piece. I like how it builds into the final paragraph where you list everything they talked about. I love the feel of their relationship.
TY. I enjoyed researching the moon landing…looking at old clips of Cronkite and their coverage. Amazing time. Glad you enjoyed the story. I bet someone father and son did just that, stared at the sky in amazement that man was there at that moment.
The conversation and the details make this a beautiful piece.
Thank you! It was fun.
Sounds like a wonderful father & son moment. Thanks for sharing it 🙂
it would have been a wonderful experience to share with my father. Never happened though.
I know it’s fiction but it’s still a touching moment. I guess I am just an old softie. 🙂
Softie is good. I consider myself in that catageory!
This is a great piece – I love the interplay between father and son. Love the mystery. Love the details and the getting up to steal moments from the night.
I love your line about “steal moments from the night.” Glad you enjoyed the story.
Your last paragraph is beautifully set up and executed, including intriguing hints at details. Kudos.
Thanks…so glad you stopped by to read my story.
Love the conversation between the father and son. So beautifully told.
Thanks…so kind of you to say! Glad you enjoyed it.
I like the father-son bonding – such a beautiful memory for the five-year-old to carry with him forever. It’s the little things like this that the kids remember.
It’s great to have nice memories to carry with us through life’s journey. Thanks for reading my story.
Uplifting and inspiring. And the picture was perfect.
Awe…thanks Linda! So kind.
such a sweet story 🙂
TY 🙂 I appreciate you taking time to visit and read my story.