An Ill Fated Chapter
The following piece is a chapter from the novel I'm currently writing. As I near the completion of the first draft, I find myself already pondering story edits. (Bad habit - I know!) Unfortunately, I'm afraid this chapter might not make it into the final draft and this saddens me. I really like it. Unfortunately, it sits so far outside the story line it drastically slows down the pacing and overall that's bad for the readers. So in honor of a chapter that may never be published, I'm placing it here to share with you.
Chapter 10:
A Father's Love
Michael sits quietly in the uncomfortable chair of the hospital room. His father lies in the bed sleeping, just as he has since being admitted several days ago. He is tired, confused and angry. He still wears the baseball uniform from the game earlier that afternoon. Today he started in his first ever varsity game since making the team as a sophomore and his father was not there. He understands that he is sick and can’t leave the hospital, but he doesn’t like it. His father has been at every one of his games since he started T-Ball, and today’s game was a big deal. Not very many sixteen year old sophomores make varsity, let alone get a starting position. But Michael is a very talented third basemen and he owes it all to his dad. He taught him everything he knows about the game. His father would have been proud of how well he did today.
Michael stands up, puts his brown Rawlings leather glove on the chair, and walks over to his dad. He grabs his hand. His father does not respond. The monotonous beep of the heart monitor fills the room and his eyes well with tears from his father’s lack of response.
“I did good today dad.” Michael sniffs and wipes his nose with his right arm. “I went 2 for 4. I had 3 putouts and assisted in a double play.” He pauses. “We won and you would have been proud of me.” He begins to weep uncontrollably as he drops to his knees and puts his forehead against his father’s hand. “It’s not fair dad. I don’t want you to be sick. I want you to be here with me . . . like you used to be.” Michael continues to cry not noticing that his mother has entered the room. She walks over to him and puts her hand on his shoulder. He leans into her arms as they both cry together.
His father’s cancer has been hard on them putting a strain on their relationship. His mom has spoken no more than three words to Michael since his dad was admitted into the hospital, and sadly, he hasn’t wanted to speak to her either. For some reason he blames his mom for his father’s sickness. He knows it is not her fault, but he has to place blame somewhere. It makes him feel better. But for now he takes comfort in her arms. He misses his dad and wants him back. Later that night, while he sleeps in his mother's arms, his father passes away.