Welcome to the Wakefield Doctrine (the theory of clarks, scotts and rogers)
This is the Doctrine’s contribution to ‘the Unicorn Challenge‘
A photo-prompt bloghop hosted by jenne and ceayr, it has the simplest of rules: keep it at (or under) 250 words.
“Careful.” [concern, barbs of fear smoothed by determined practice, the woman’s voice spoke of a future too-well defined]
The man stepped down one step. The ball of his bare left foot found solidity on the wood timber. His heel, failing to find a stable surface to match, protested even as the ankle joint ratcheted like a neglected clockwork.
His compressed lips, a semaphore of mixed emotions, his only reaction, the man resisted the urge to grasp the offered forearm.
“Mom used to talk about how, as a boy, you spent your summers here.” [concern, sparkled by a temptation to see the man out of time]
“Why did you bring me here?” [concern, sufficiently applied, re-configured the aim of the simplest of questions]
Gravity, it is said, is the necessary challenger to the infant, yet becomes a thoroughly un-reliable companion to those on the other end of the suggestively-misnamed, Circle of Life.
His steps gained confidence, quickened. A sound, hidden beyond the last low-rise of grass-embroidered sand, called to him.
“Careful!” [concern, when no longer defined by one’s fears turns on its host, refusing once automatic compliance.]
Now running in the controlled-stumble of one who seeks without regard to consequences, the once-young man saw the ocean waves. Their promise of the joy of physicality came with a price to be paid on an undefined installment plan.
“Whee!” [the ultimate mashup of joy and sharing favored by the young not bound by the need for permission.]
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