(This is a sequel to John Linton’s “Secret Project” contribution, “The Lock”. You may want to check that out first by clicking here.)

IMG_4206 the grave

The boy placed the old man’s paper on the step and left. The next day when he came to deliver another he noticed the paper he had left the day before was gone and that an SUV with out of state plates was parked by the side of the road. Before he could leave the paper a stranger opened the door. The boy asked the stranger if the old man was around and the man said that he had died. The stranger then asked if the old man had owed the boy any money for the papers. The boy told him how much and the man paid him and told him the paper was no longer needed.

As the boy continued his deliveries he noticed the old man’s next door neighbor coming out to get her paper, something that had never happened before. Every time he needed to collect from her he would have to bang on her door many times before she would answer it. When the boy gave her the paper she asked what the man had said. The boy told her and she said, “He’s Skip’s son, George. He arrived yesterday with his family and turned that house upside down looking for money he said Skip had stashed away somewhere in the house. His wife said all he found was $2,000 in an envelope with a letter that said it was for the care of the dog. Of course, he took the dog to the Vets to have him put down and put the house up for sale. He kept the $2,000.”

The woman went on to say, “The police found Skip dead after I called yesterday complaining about the dog’s constant barking. When George arrived he told the police that no one in the family could afford to pay for the old man’s burial and wanted to know if the state or the VA would pay for it. Can you imagine? I’m so glad I don’t have a son like that. George sure was upset at not finding more money. Serves him right.” With that the boy continued on his way.

A month later the boy visited the old man’s grave. After all, it was the least he could do for the old man.

***

“John Linton is a floundering member of aamora. He lives in Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, the state with the biggest name and smallest size.”

Check out John’s other aamora posts here and see more of his work  by clicking here.