We, the Coronado Scribes, consist of both professional and amateur writers. We have in common a desire to learn, by sharing our efforts and listening to other writers. We hold pressure-less sessions every Wednesday, at the Coronado Library conference room, starting at 1:30. Often we have guests who wish to just listen. They are welcome, and so are you.
Each week on eCoronado, we feature a different piece of prose or poetry produced by one of our writers. Please feel free to comment or ask questions in the comment section below.
There He Blows
by Mary Beth Dodson
George is homeless, lives in his car. On his birthday he is told that he is terminal, cancer throughout. A couple, Frank and Rose, learn of his plight and take note of his desperate situation. He has no family, no home, no hope. They take him in. He spends his last days sitting in a rocking chair on their porch, watching the world go by.
One day Frank asks George what he would like him to do with his remains.
George said, “Oh, just cremate me and put me in a box in the corner.”
“I’ve been thinking about this, George. The Fourth of July is coming soon. How would you feel if I put your ashes in a Roman Candle and lit it?”
George’s eyes sparkled. “Why, I think that would be mighty fine,” he said.
George passed away a month ago. Friday, the 4th of July, Frank was ready. He had been a munitions specialist in the service and knew what type of firecracker would allow him to load it. At ten o’clock at night, Frank took a coffee can to the middle of the road, set the firecracker inside, and solemnly lit it.
Whoosh,’ it sailed straight up into the air fifty feet, went Kaboom,’ and sent up a neon red and white spray of sparks that lit up the neighborhood.
Everyone wishes they could go out with a bang! George did.
