a distant rumble drags me from the depths of sleep
familiar…and yet
i know that sound, i grew up with that sound in my ears
a flash of thought, an idea that i know could only bring about pain
what if…what if it was a dream? what if the worst nightmare of my life was exactly that?
as that possibility crosses my mind, a synapse connects and i am out of bed, almost hurling myself down the stairs
im reminded of when i used to run like this, and for the same reason
my father was home
at the foot of the stairs i lose my footing,landing hard on a shoulder, groaning as i pick myself up and start running again
“dad, he’s home” my mind shreiks at me as the rumble grows louder
down the second flight of stairs now, i slam into the door, exploding into the garage,hitting the pavement as i fall again
“dad?” my voice echoes through the garage, the rumble now gone
there his motorcycle sits,untouched and cold
for a moment i see him there,waiting for me
gone, he’s gone
i lay on the floor crying
my dads gone