Joseph had died in late October, and though snow fell the day of his funeral, it was just a light dusting, a promise of the winter to come. Fitting, somehow, James thought.
He’d put the picture Joey had drawn into his brief case, wanting it out of sight. Joey still didn’t quite understand that Grandpa wasn’t coming back, so he did what any father would do, he promised he’d pass the picture along. Just like when he came home he’d tell him that Grandpa loved it.
Now, in his office in the university, he took the picture out and held it in his hand. It was actually very well done, for a five-year-old’s work. Joseph would have loved it. In fact, he’d have been proud that his legacy was taking root in his grandson.
There was a knock on his door and his friend, Ben, came in without waiting for him to answer. “A few of us are getting together for drinks later,” he said by way of greeting. “Care to join us?”
James shook his head regretfully. “Can’t tonight. Maggie’s making dinner.”
“Foiled by the old ball and chain,” Ben said, clutching his chest dramatically. “What’s that?” he asked, gesturing to the paper James was holding.
“Joey drew it,” James said, turning the paper so his friend could see.
“Ah.” Ben took the page from him. He frowned. “Jack Frost?” he guessed.
“Nope, try again,” James told him. When there was no response, he said, “It’s a picture of one of winter’s children. He drew it for his grandfather.”
“Still having trouble grasping the concept of death, eh?” Ben handed the picture back. “Not bad for a kid though. You’ve got a budding artist on your hands.”
“Maybe,” James said, taking the picture and setting it aside. “Although if you ask him, he’ll tell you he’s going to be a hunter when he grows up. Like his grandpa.”
“Ouch.”
“Even when he’s gone, his legacy lives on,” James said with a sigh.
“Give it time,” Ben advised. “In a couple of months Joey will probably want to be a spaceman or a fireman or something equally exciting.”
“I don’t care if he wants to become a CPA, just so long as he doesn’t follow in dad’s footsteps.”
Ben snorted out a laugh. “Because the kindergarten classes are full of kids dreaming of being accountants.”
“You know what I mean.”
Ben looked at him solemnly. “I do. But I think you’re overly harsh in your judgment of your father.” He looked at his watch. “But I know better than to beat my head against that particular wall. I gotta go. Last one there buys the first round.”
“Another time,” James told him.
Ben sailed out of the room and James picked up the picture again. It was just a picture. It didn’t mean anything. Maybe Ben was right. Without Joseph around to keep reminding Joey of the stories, he’d soon forget all about them.
But had he been judging his father too harshly? He saw down at his desk and opened bottom drawer. Withdrawing the book he kept there, he set it on the desk.
“Do you want anything else before I leave for the evening?”
James jolted in his chair. “No, thank you Louise,” he said.
Louise was the elderly secretary he shared with Professor Richmond.
“Be sure to wear that scarf I gave you,” she said. “The temperature’s dropping. They’re calling for snow this evening. You drive safe now.”
“Thank you, Louise. I will.”
Dropping temperatures and the threat of snow. Joseph would claim it was the kind of weather that would lure winter’s children down from their mountain. He waited until he heard the outer door shut and then turned his attention to the book again.
He stared at it for a long time and then finally opened it up to the first page and began to read.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
Missed an installment? Catch up here:
Introduction, Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6
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