99 Word Flash Fiction Challenge {7}

Happy Friday!

My dad is a general contractor and while growing up I was occasionally allowed to tag along with him to the different jobs that he was working on. These were great adventurers! The smell of paint and wood have me instantly thinking of my dad, no matter what or where I am. As I got older he branched out and started his own company and therefore I was allowed to tag along even more so  because well he was the boss.

The day would first start as we stopped for gas and stalked up on convenient store breakfast goodies  like chocolate milk, coffee for dad and his crew, packages and packages of donuts for everyone; white, and chocolate  by the tons. (I still get giddy when eating those little cake donuts.) Then we would drive the long distance to wherever the job was, waking up with the sun, eating and drinking breakfast in the truck. (We lived in Granbury and most of his business resided an hour away in the city.)

Then we (I say we but really would be his crew and dad and I would walk around the job and he would tell me what the goals were for the day) would commence the unloading of the tools and equipment. Dad’s truck would always be loaded down with all sorts of neat looking gadgets, some of which I am still unsure of what is. But one of the things that generally had my admiration were the ladders.

Dad had and still has an array of ladders. From the standard 8 foot ladder found in most homes to the extension ladders that made my stomach quiver just by looking up at them. And some my dad’s magic played out during his maneuvering on a ladder. Some jobs are extremely high. Like gut wrenching, pee your pants high. This man can climb a ladder wearing those weird leg extension things, stilts. and I was always left standing there, mouth wide open in fear and awe and envy because I do not have that kind of talent and fearlessness that he carries around.

But I learned to conquer the ladder when I was probably about 14 years old. Though I leave the ladder climbing while wearing stilts to dad!

The June 18, 2014 challenge from Carrot Ranch Communications was to: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about getting stronger. What hard work or practice has paid off? Has the character, setting or story changed as a result?

 

A Ladder Away

 

He glanced up at the towering line of steps and gulped. His dad always climbed it with ease and now stood atop of their roof probably doing amazing things. Billy wasn’t sure what was done up there because he had never made it to the top. He never made it past the fifth step without fear gripping his body and having to climb back down with sweat slicked palms.

Today he wore gloves. Billy took a deep breath heeding his dad’s advice, “Never look down.” One step. Two… seven… finally victory was his as he patted his dad’s shoulder.

 

 

So what do you think?

~AJP