“Hunny……”
Tom opened his eyes, still in a dream addled state trying to figure out what was going on. He reached for his phone.
10am. Damn woman, you know I worked all night. If the house isn’t burning down around me, she’s in for it.
“Hunny, get up!”
“I’m up, I’m up. What’s up babe?”
“We’ve got no hot water. Your son felt the need to get into the dirt pile you left out back, and now I can’t even throw him in the tub.”
That damn element in the water heater must have finally went. I knew I should have replaced that last week.
“Alright, let me get some coffee in me and I will take the boy to hardware store. I’ll grab the parts I need and get it fixed in a couple of hours.”
“You told me you were going to fix it the other day.”
“I know, I’m sorry babe. I got busy and forgot.”
Guess she knows I should have fixed it last week too. Leave it to this woman to drive the nail home.
Tom got out of bed, threw on his work clothes from the night before which were so conveniently dropped next to the bed. Grabbed a cup of coffee, sat at the table, and read through his Steemit feed while drinking….
“You ready to help Daddy fix the hot water.”
“Ya! Can I use the screw driver?”
“You better. Gotta start pulling your weight around this house or we’ll trade you in for a better model. And since when do you know how to use a screw driver.”
“Duh Dad, you just put in the hole and twist it.”
That’s what she said…. I didn’t say that out loud did I? No, thank god. That could lead to some awkward questions.
Conversation stopped between the two in the truck as Dad pumped the volume. “The boy” spent the ride dancing in the back seat to his dad’s favorite songs.
“Jimmy!, how are things man?”
“Slow…., the wife got you down here cuz something else around that money trap you call a house broke?”
“Don’t hate, just cuz you’re stuck living above this place that can’t turn a profit no matter how much you beg.”
The two men, laughing, hug one another. They have known each other going back to grade school. Jimmy was family long before he married Tom’s sister making it official.
“You still got that heating element I had you order a while back?”
“Sure enough. You know, you should just replace that water heater before it blows a hole clean through your house. Then again that just might force you to fix that place up a little.”
“You know I don’t have the money for that. Works been slow lately, plus that thing has a few good years left to it. I can’t afford to be all classy like with new appliances.”
“Alright man, I’ll be right back.”
“Dad…. Can we go to the park after here?”
That damn park. I remember how much I used to love going there with my Dad, of course the boy wants to go. Lately though it has just been a place for those political rallies to turn into all out street brawls. Seems like every other weekend those two groups are here messing up my town.
“Ya, but we can’t spend too long there or your mother will get mad at us. We gotto get home so we can fix her water or she will send us both to bed without dinner.”
“Here you go Tom. No no no, save your money. Pick my nephew up something on the way back to your place. You wanna have a cup of coffee before you guys take off.”
“Hell ya, coffee sounds great. And thanks man I appreciate it.”
The two men and “the boy” went out back and talked for a bit.
“NO TRUMP! NO KKK! NO FASCIST USA!”
“Fuck, I thought that damn event was canceled. What the hell are they doing here?”
“It was, and I don’t know man. But you and “the boy” better get out of here before they really start to group up or you’ll be stuck all day. And you picked a hell of a day to wear that red work shirt of yours.”
“I know, I know. Alright lets go kid. I’ll call you when I get home to make sure things are going okay down here.”
“Does this mean were not going to the park?”
“Not this time, I’m sorry. Well go tomorrow I promise. Now hold my hand and keep quiet until we get to the car”.
UGH we gotto walk three blocks to get there. Why can’t they just have parking on this street? It’s alright just keep your head down and don’t look like you’re in a hurry. Don’t want to draw any attention to yourself.
Tom and the boy head out of the store and start heading towards the car. The group outside, while already large, is steadily growing.
There is so many of them, what are they all doing here. Traffic is already shut down, and they are flooding the streets and the sidewalk. Just keep moving man….
“FUCK TRUMP!”
“UGHMPH… god damn”
Tom stumbled and almost fell but caught himself. The boy wasn’t so lucky. While tripping, his hand locked firmly around his sons hand yanked the boy off balance. Tom quickly pulled him up.
Someone pushed me! And “Fuck Trump”, I don’t even like the man. I think he's a clown. Don’t turn around, just keep walking. They better not hurt my son. God please don’t let them hurt my son.
“NAZI SCUM! YOU RACIST PIECE OF SHIT!”
Damnit!, there’s more of them now. Sounds like a group are following us. Racist? I just left my brother in law's shop and he’s black. My damn nieces are mixed and I love them like they were my own.
Tom looked over his shoulder, he had to know what the situation was.
Fuck!, there are at least 10 of them back there. Don’t panic… just keep moving. God I know I don’t talk to you much anymore, but please help us out of here.
“DADDY!....”
Tom felt a tug on his arm as they boy stopped walking and fell to the ground. Without missing a beat Tom pulled his son into his arms and took off running.
LOOK AT THE BLOOD! Don’t panic, there is a lot but not enough to denote any serious harm. Just a steady stream going down his right cheek. They must have hit him with a stone or something.
“Shhh… it’s okay, you’ll be fine. Just hold on to Daddy and don’t let go until I tell you”
Tom took off in a sprint, they were close now. However, with the weight of his son slowing him down, the crowd behind him was gaining. And quick.
Too close. God just give me enough time to get in the car. Fuck seat belts. Just get the damn door open and throw the boy in. Whatever happens to you… he's all that matters.
They made it to the car and Tom ripped open the drivers door. He dove into the car with the boy held out in front of him. That’s about where his luck ran out. As he was reaching to close the door he felt hands grasp his pants and legs. Tom gave all he could to hold on and pull himself in, but there were too many. Even adrenaline fueled muscles couldn’t get him in the car. Heart beating so fast he could feel it through his whole body as he was slowly dragged out of the car.
Tom let go, he had three tasks left before was clear of the car. One…. reach up and press the door lock, check. Two… get ready to close the door as soon as it’s clear, got it. Three… reach for the floor board next to the driver’s seat…..
Tom’s world slowed down as his fingers wrapped around the grip of his shotgun. Calm isn’t the right word for this feeling, even serenity would be an understatement. Acceptance fits. Tom accepted the horror that filled him with what this next act would bring. Never in his life did he imagine he would ever point the barrel of this gun at another human being.
I’m out of options. They chose this for me, and it is the only way I can guarantee my son will make it out of this.
They came here looking for a Nazi...
Tom spun after closing the door. Raising the barrel to point at the closest group to him.
This group will never have a chance to find one…
The top headline in main stream media the next day...
White Supremacist hospitalized after firing multiple rounds at a group of protesters. Facing multiple felonies upon regaining consciousness.
This has been my first attempt ever at writing a story of any kind, I hope you all like it. Inspiration for this piece came while watching videos of the violence at recent political events. The story itself has been a complete work of fiction. The horrible thing is I can guarantee the majority of you could see this as a reality. The truly scary thing is the potential that a few wont find anything wrong with it. I think we all need to remember that we are free thinkers. We all can analyze a situation and formulate our own opinions based on the facts. If something seems off, look into it. We don't need someone else to give us our thoughts, were capable of that on our own.
We all remember that phrase "If everyone else was jumping off the bridge, would you do it too." To me it feels like we have two large groups in the USA fighting over the perfect spot to jump from that bridge.