COUNTING THE STARS
October 6, 2005
© Fred Dumpling. Redistribution is prohibited.
Lucas kneeled on his bed, elbows resting on the windowsill. His lips moved quickly and continuously. If he didn't finish tonight, he'd have to begin again the next night.
Heavy footsteps attempting to be soft but failing signaled his father entering the room. The bare mattress sank on one side as Mr. Frost sat next to his son.
"How far have you gotten?" he asked.
"Fifty-three, fifty-four, fifty-five..." was the reply which soon faded back into silence.
Mr. Frost looked fondly at his son. Lucas was abnormal, unpredictable, and yet, every night for eight years, he had sat at this window and counted the stars. Mr. Frost smiled. He bent over and kissed his son on the forehead. Lucas remained wide-eyed and did not shift his gaze from the sky, but for a moment, the movement of his lips slowed. In the next instant, he was counting rapidly again.
Until he blinked. Lucas lay back on his bed. Every time he blinked, he lost count. He was not frustrated, nor was he unhappy in any way. He would simply have to try again tomorrow night. Lucas watched his father stand and walk away. Until then, he would have approximately twenty-four hours to find out about horned demons.