Unspoken Bond

by LC Sanders

A small southern town, 1978. The town is enveloped in the lush greenery of mighty oaks and evergreen pine. One of the many small churches stands on the outskirts, symbolizing the community's deep-rooted Baptist faith.

This short story is a work of fiction and I have the legal rights to publish it as it is a product of this authors own imagination and ChatGPT 3.5. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of this author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Characters:

AI Voice is Guy – pace .75 Thomas Barns: A stern and traditional father in his late 40s, deeply committed to the church and its teachings.

AI Voice is Brandon  – pace .75 – Johnny Barns: Thomas' teenage son, rebellious and headstrong, constantly pushing boundaries.

AI Voice is Sara -Hopeful, Pace .75. – Betty Barns: Thomas' wife and Johnny's mother, a calming presence caught between her husband and son.

AI Voice is Roger – pace .75 - Preacher Paul: The local pastor of the church, a wise and compassionate figure in the community.

Act 1: Tensions Rise

Scene 1: The sun shines just above the red oaks in the Western Sky. Thomas, swaying back and forth, in his old sturdy, wooden rocking chair (the rocking chair symbolizes the unspoken love between a father and a son) his father made for him, with his Bible laying open to Colossians 3:21 (Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.) on his lap ……  Breaking his concentration is the sound of Johnny's motorcycle. Interrupting an otherwise peaceful evening.

After maneuvering onto the freshly cut grass, Johnny turns the key off on his Harley.

Thomas: "Johnny, what did I tell you about parking on the grass? And why so late?"

Johnny: "It's not hurting the yard! Why do you always have to make such a big deal about everything?"

Thomas: "Not going to hurt the yard? Boy, that's a dangerous weapon you're driving."

Scene 2: Stepping out of the house, Betty intervenes, while wiping her hands on her apron after washing up the supper dishes.

Betty: "Please? Can't we have one evening without arguing?"

Johnny: Pushing the Harley to the driveway.  "Mom, Dad just doesn't get it. He never does."

Thomas: "Honey, it’s not about not getting it. What's the neighbors going to think? I’ll tell you what they’re going to think. They’re going to think we’re from the sticks and they just may be right."

Act 2: Conflicts and Confrontations

Scene 3: Johnny comes home late one night, clearly intoxicated. Stumbling into the kitchen, he pulls the chain over the dinner table to see his mother, sitting in her assigned seat, puffy red eyes stare back at him.

Betty: "Johnny! Where have you been? And in this condition?" She gets up from the table pointing to the seat.

Johnny: He sits at once. "Just out with friends, Mom. Relax." Johnny tries to comfort his mother by conveying with his hands that he can take care of himself.

Betty: "Oh Johnny! You're ruining your life!" She places a steamy cup o’ Joe in front of him while she gives him a reassuring hug around the neck.

Johnny: "Mom, dad expects me to waste my life working at that stupid carpet mill like he has!  I don’t want to squander my life in this hopeless town."

Scene 4: The following Sunday, waiting to be the last one out the door, Mr. Barns pulls Preacher Paul to the side, asking for reassuring parenting advice.

Preacher Paul: "Thomas, parenting is never easy, especially when our children begin to rebel. But remember, God's love and grace are always there, guiding us and them. As it says in Hebrews 4:16 Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

Thomas: "I know …. but it's just hard to see that boy going down that path."

 Act 3: Seeking Understanding

Scene 5: A day or so later. Thomas and Johnny have a heart-to-heart conversation in the garage, surrounded by tools and the Harley. Johnny is lubricating the chains while Thomas towers over him.

Thomas: "Johnny, I'm worried about you. You know I want the best for you."

Johnny: "What’s best for me?” He stops rising up to look at him square in the eyes. “Your way isn't the only way."

Thomas: "I understand that, son. But there are consequences to our choices."

Johnny: "I know that. I'll try to be more cautious."

Scene 6: Later that evening after supper. Sitting in her comfy chair, Betty is knitting a blanket for her nieces newborn baby, Johnny is relaxing on the couch watching a rerun of Mash. She nonchalantly brings up the subject of finding common ground with his dad.

Betty: "Your father loves you, Johnny. He just wants to protect you."

Johnny: Looking around the room to make sure Thomas isn’t around. "I know, Mom. But I need to find my own way, make my own mistakes."

Betty: Looking at him from above her horn-rimmed glasses. "Just remember, we're always here for you, no matter what."

Act 4: Reconciliation and Understanding

Scene 7: The following Sunday, a small congregation gathers for an evening service. Although Thomas and Johnny arrived together, they didn’t sit together. Each, secretly wishing to bridge the gap between them.

Pastor Paul: "Let us pray for our families, for understanding, love, and forgiveness."

Thomas: "Amen."

Johnny: "Amen."

Scene 8: Later at home, after gorging themselves on Betty’s homemade fried chicken, okra, peas and cornbread baked in a deep-dish Wagner frying pan, Thomas relaxes in his sturdy rocker. Johnny leans back on the second concrete porch step, eyes gazing up at the stars, sharing a quiet moment on the porch.

Thomas: "You know, Johnny, life's not always easy, and your mother and I will be gone from this Earth one day. But, in the meantime, we'll be here for ya."

Johnny: "Thanks, Dad. I love you too".

Thomas: Astonished. to hear the love word spoken from the lips of his only son. He leans forward, hands clasp together, "One day son. I'm gonna make you a rocking chair."

Moral of the Story:

"Unspoken Bond" is a journey through the challenges and conflicts that arise between a strict father and his rebellious son. Through misunderstandings, arguments, and heart-to-heart conversations, they learn to navigate their differences and find common ground. It's a story about love, understanding, and the unbreakable bond between a father and his son, reminding us that family is where life begins and love never ends.

To listen to this story and watch a video, see the link below. Thanks for reading.

Geyer Springs Road in the Morning Short Trip

 

Geyer Springs Road in the Morning

Just a short trip

I just pulled out my cell phone and starting recording out the window. I was in the passengers seat so I was perfectly safe using my phone. I had seen some videos on YouTube where they were talking about how the sun has been different since the eclipse. It was a cloudy morning and I think it had rained the night before but I wanted to see if I could record anything different.

I don't think I saw anything different on that short ride to work. The sun hung low in the sky where it usually was and because of the clouds, it was kind of hard to tell but I tried anyway. I believe there was a lot of hype about the eclipse brought up through social media - like "It's the End of the World" or "The cell phone and computers are going to stop working" and things like that. 

People stayed home from work 
- a lot of people stayed home from work that day thinking something major is going to happen. 
I didn't. I went to work. Hardly no traffic. It was like a holiday. 
Hardly anyone called. Hardly any customers came in. 

I know some people rented hotel rooms and paid big money. Some people rented out venue's to sell merchandise. Some people spent lots of money. I personally think it was a let down. Yeah, it got dark outside and the lights inside the building came on, and I put on my paper glasses to go look when it was the darkest but I was not impressed.

As Shania Twain would sing. That don't impress me much

So after the eclipse, I have been hearing stuff about how the sun is different. How the moon is different. How this and that is different but I don't feel different. I feel like things are better for us. I feel that I can make a go of my YouTube channel now and that my writing and story telling is something that others can read or listen too and that I, that I actually have a voice of my own that is worthy for others to listen to on social media and is liked.

So getting back to the video, I used my cell phone camera and used Clipchamp to edit it. The music is a free song from YouTube so I won't get any copyright strikes. At the end is the newly built school that took the place of McClellan High School. I thought they were rebuilding the same high school but this new school is for K-8th grade. I really do not like the colors of the building. I like the brick if I have to say something nice but I do not like those brown vertical strips. If you like  it, let me know. Maybe I shouldn't say anything at all but there maybe someone else out there who would agree with me.

So thanks for reading to the end. If you watched the video, thank you. Thank you to all my subscribers. If you have a minute could you give me a comment? Nobody hardly ever comments on anything I post. I will post more so please follow me if you like this content.