proud of your boy (open)

[alan levi denison]

The muted sound of wheels against the pavement filled the air. Alan stopped at the old bridge. He stepped off of his skateboard and looked over the structure. He remembered a couple of years ago, he and his friends came and tagged the bridge. Of course now it was painted over. Those were the days.

He clutched his pendant. Would his mother be proud of him? He didn't think so. He was a school drop out and has made nothing with his life so far. Al let go of the pendant and it rested against his chest once more.

He remembered his mother used to take him on walks to this bridge too, when he was a lot younger. Everything seemed simpler back then.

A screech was heard. He gave a smirk and opened his backpack more. This is where he kept Abi.

"Sorry girl. I almost forgot you were there," he said to her, petting her head. "Just reflecting. I don't believe I've taken you here yet."

The monkey climbed out of the bag and perched on the ledge of the bridge.

Alan sat on the ledge as well, letting his legs hang towards the water. He pulled out his sketchbook and pencil. It was times like this he liked to take advantage of his talent. He wasn't evading anyone. Al felt like he was far enough from society right now to worry.

The boy began to sketch. Scribbles became lines. Lines became shapes. Shapes became the figure of a woman with a backdrop of forest and a river.

Abi went to the bag and grabbed a snack. She loved crackers. She perched next to Al again.

Al laughed. "Mom wouldn't let me get a pet," he said. "Not that I see you as a pet Abi. But, mom was an amazing woman. We were never rich. Heck, we were barely making ends meat but we made the most of what we had. She is probably the strongest woman that ever lived. You probably have no idea what I am saying."

Al continued to get lost in his artwork. He was glad that at this moment it was just him and Abi. It was silent. There were no cars driving by. No one doing yard work. There were no city noises. He relished in this. Right now, everything was perfect. He looked down at his furry friend again.

"I wonder what mom would say now if she saw me. I will make something of myself one day," Alan said as he touched up his picture.

[wendy kathryn watson]

"My unfulfilled ambition is to write a great novel
in three parts about my adventures.”

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The halls of the local college were crowded as students exited previous classes and made their way to their next one or began their trek home. Wendy Watson on the other hand was making a quick bee-line to the library to grab one or two books, it didn’t take her long to find what she was looking for with a soft smile on her lips she made her way out of the building and began her walk to a spot she knew her parents wouldn’t think to look for her. Her Father was usually at the bank all day and lately he’d been more firm with her than ever and she just needed a break for a little while, so she saw no problem with going down to the abandoned bridge to just sit and read for a few hours. Her mind drifted to her Shitzu Noni, deciding it would be best if she took the dog with her she quickly caught a bus to her neighbourhood and ran in.

Her Mother was in the kitchen preparing dinner, and though Wendy tried to enter their home as quietly as possible, her Mother never seemed to miss a beat. “Wendy dear, is that you?” she called from the kitchen, sighing in defeat Wendy frowned and walked the rest of the way down the hall to see what her Mother wanted. “Oh darling it is you, your father will be having friends from work joining us for dinner tonight, I wasn’t sure if you had plans so I made extra if you would care to join us, if not I can refrigerate it for when you get home.” Mrs. Watson said smiling at her daughter; Wendy smiled in return and indicated the books in her hand. “I was just going to take Noni for a walk, maybe sit out at the park or something and read for a while, I will aim to be home in time I promise.” With that she kissed her Mother’s cheek then putting the leash on Noni she began her walk to the bridge.

As Wendy neared the bridge she caught sight of someone else sitting there, she couldn’t quite make out what they were doing so shrugging she continued on her way, there was a big tree that she could climb up in to sit and do her reading, Noni was used to this trip and she never really wandered far so Wendy felt confident in leaving her to roam the area. As she neared she stopped and studied the young man in front of her for a moment, then putting on a friendly smile she stepped forward. “Excuse me, do you mind sharing some of the bridge?” she called out trying to get his attention. She kept the smile on her face as she waited for a reply, maybe this would be the perfect opportunity to make a new friend.

ooc: hope you don't mind me joining in! :-)

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