Coming Of Age Story

1142 Words5 Pages
"Who wants to hear a coming of age story?", he said. The room itself almost groaned in opposition. He saw this as an excellent chance to have some fun . "Well it's the story or homework over the holidays" he said, turning to the board just in time to hide the smirk slowly climbing to his cheeks. He began to furiously scribble page numbers and questions from the books that lay open on his desk. Behind him a cascade of objections hailed upon him. The many voices, strong and loud in the large old room, fell on deaf ears. He turned to face the class and with it came an onslaught of noise.” NO!!" One shouted. "But its the holidays!", Said another. Fragments of words and sentences drifted towards him. Some he caught, most were drown out by the ceaseless…show more content…
"Henry Ravner?" Henry turned slowly, hindered by age and the ice in the air turning his breath to a cloudy mist and his fingers to popsicles. "Still as excitable as ever I see." The young man said. It was a student of Henry's from long ago and seeing him brought back pleasant memories. A slow, welcome smile spread throughout his face. "Oh, hello James." Henry said, his voice dry and raspy in the cold. He was surprised he even remembered James' name. He cleared his throat before he spoke again and his voice regained its usual deepness and warmth. "And what would a young man like yourself be doing out in weather such as this?" Henry asked. "Well I could ask you the same thing. I'm just doing some last minute shopping." James answered. "What about you? Its not exactly great weather for strolling, especially not at your age." "Very true. How long's it been James? 15, 20 years?" Henry asked, his face contorting with the cold. A smirk leaped to James' lips and a short laugh escaped his mouth. "I'd say 20 years now, sir." James said. "You know, they say the mind is the first thing to go." He continued. "Well then I assure you. I won't be going anywhere for a long while yet." Henry replied, smug with his…show more content…
He took the directories and slowly flicked his way through each page, perhaps looking for the names of past pupils or friends long gone until he came to the 'M's. He ran his finger down through each page and found him: "Merith, James." He said. He took the number down and left it beside the phone. Making his way towards the living room, a cold shiver worked its way down his back and throughout his entire body and he was suddenly aware of the relaxing warmth and calm of his house. His glasses were heavy over his eyes and his limbs sagged. He was tired. Henry took his old leather bound novel from the table near the fireplace. The ribbon used to keep page, once a bright, vibrant red was now faded and worn to a dull purple. He opened the book to the page he had left marked by the faded ribbon and started to read, sitting in the armchair by the orange, glowing light of the fire. As he read the novel, he waited for the ending which always thrilled him no matter how many times he read it. With each page he turned he grew more and more tired and as he turned the last page, he lay the book down on the table, his eyelids closed and he welcomed sleep's sweet
Open Document