The Three Minute Grandparent

The cabin was weathered and old looking as it sat in a grove of trees.  Leaves covered most of the roof's shake shingles.  Two small windows with dirty glass stared toward Caleb as he returned the look.  It was a most disreputable looking house. The yard around the split log house had the appearance of disuse.  An old bicycle leaned carelessly against a corner of the small cabin.  It too, was weathered looking, or perhaps, Caleb thought, rusted out.  The yard needed cleaning to rid the accumulated debris and encroaching forest from the path that seemed to appear as Caleb began walking toward the old porch.  Almost afraid to step up on the porch, Caleb placed a booted foot on dark wood that groaned with his weight.  Another foot with it's weight seemed to cause the whole porch to groan with the burden imposed on it.  Caleb moved slowly, glancing around at the dirty porch with it unused swing, moving steadily toward the door.  As he appro...

Walk down the path, go ahead feet, walk!  Wait....I got here in the wrong end of a car....maybe I can leave behind the steering wheel?  Run back to the car...hurry! Caleb stood next to the driver's door, afraid to touch the car.  The day already had brought more than his fair share of surprises and perhaps touching the car would.....forget it, just open the door and get in...but where would I go?  Just follow the road!  OK, I'll drive the Caddy.... Caleb opened the door and sat in the seat, reached for the keys...uh oh.... The keys were not in the ignition and Caleb realized that he would be walking.  He pulled himself out of the car for the second time.  The sun was still shining and the breeze was gently blowing but Caleb felt a chill.  The nightmares were catching up with him.  Remembering the voice calling to him....YES, calling his name, Caleb!  The rustling leaves and the voice...again..... Suddenly the woods seemed frightening...

I can't stay in bed and hide forever.  There's no food in here and I'm hungry.  I need a shower, but this room will not help in my cleanup....it's filthy. Caleb left the hotel room, stumbling out the door.  The sun hit him full force in the face causing him to close his eyes as hands covered his eyes...not his own hands.  Two large men quickly tied Caleb hand and foot and threw him into the large trunk of an old model Cadillac.  The car traveled for more than an hour but Caleb quickly lost track of time.  The fumes from the faulty muffler quickly overwhelmed his senses and he lost consciousness. I hear wind blowing somewhere, so loud.  It's whistling and....I'm looking for something....I can't find it...I can't see anything....can only hear the wind.... Caleb lay in the trunk of the old Caddy with the trunk open...his mind a blur, but fortunate to be alive.  His abduction was done with precision and the fact that he was alive was beyond miracul...

I don't remember my childhood, it's a blank screen.  Oh, I've tried to draw out thoughts.....anything at all.....just a fragment of perhaps a birthday party, or a favorite school teacher.  There's nothing there.  I just can't remember. Who am I?  I am...Caleb.  I found that name on a driver's license with my picture....so, I'm Caleb.  I woke up yesterday, last week, last year...I don't remember, in a motel near the Detroit Airport and found myself staring at the ceiling.  It had wavy lines painted green.  I've never liked the color green, but how would I know that?  I continued to stare then turned to the right and found a picture on the wall.  The glass in the frame was cracked...and the picture deserved no better.  It was a concrete block house next to a pond with someone holding a child while holding a cane fishing pole.  The picture was revolting and I turned my head. As my vision focused, I saw a tattered curtain with st...

This old body is tired.  I'm sure the car must be as tired as me.  We've both driven 800 miles and need to stop.  The drive began early this morning with a fast get-a-way.  I only had time to gather a few belongings, throw them into the car, choke down a sweet roll and some warm coffee then drive like "He" was on my tail.  Stopping for gas was the only reason this car was switched off all day long.  I have constantly checked the rear view mirror, fearing to see "Him." My mind is a blur.  Thinking of the events over the past 24 hours is painful.  I try to meditate but cannot even clear my mind.  Closing my eyes is impossible because "He" is there.  Where can I turn?  I've got to sleep, but then.....  Why me?  Why did it have to happen to me?  I did what any good citizen would do; stepping in and blocking that gun....his fist.....the knife....why?  After all of the good intentions, "He" saw me.  I knew the lo...