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A Father's Day Visit

  
By:  pat wilson  •  last year  •  63 comments


A Father's Day Visit
A short, short story

Sponsored by group Paranormal Stories & Stuff FOR FUN

Paranormal Stories & Stuff  FOR FUN

It was a lovely Sunday in mid June, sunny with a light sea breeze. The Jasmine was in bloom and it’s  heavenly scent filled the air. It was right around noon and I was making my way home after my hour walk. 

This is one of my favorite walks. It starts out through a beautiful neighborhood on a street with homes  built during different eras. It then takes me to the coastal highway for a few blocks where I make  a left down a wide, paved, tree-lined passage to an uber wealthy neighborhood. That street takes me up a  hill with beautiful ocean views. At its dead end is the trail head of a path through a small nature preserve.  The trail drops down toward the edge of a bluff that’s about 500 to 600 feet above a rocky beach. 

It ends at a small Nature Center, at this point I’m heading back home.This part of my walk is along a street  that is set back from the bluff. On the bluff side there is one restaurant thriving and another that has been  shuttered since well before the pandemic. In between these are several residences and an empty lot that  has hurricane fencing along the street edge of the lot.

The other side of the road has 10 to 12 residences, high end luxury condos. There are two properties that  have three condos each. These condos are massive, three story units with second and third stories set  back in a terraced fashion into the hillside. Every property on both sides of this street enjoy spectacular, 180 degree plus ocean views.

As I approached this area I was walking on the bluff side and I see an older gentleman across the street,  standing in his driveway looking like he was waiting for someone. He was a nice looking man, slim build  and nicely dressed. He wore khaki pants, a madras shirt and had quality leather shoes and belt. He was  well groomed and overall made a smart appearance. He looked to be in his late seventies - early eighties.

He noticed me and called out but cars were passing and I couldn’t make out what he was saying, (my  hearing isn’t what it used to be). I crossed the street and we had a chat. He claimed that he hated that  hurricane fence and I replied that it may prevent a car from going over the side. He said there was a  time a car almost went over but the rear wheel was caught and tangled in the fencing and it had to be  winched back up over the edge. 

I laughingly suggested if he didn’t like the fence he could write a letter to our city Public Works Department and complain. He chuckled and said he didn’t think he could write a letter anymore, he was afraid he would mix his languages. I did detect an eastern european accent while we were talking.  Sounded like German, Polish or maybe Hungarian.He then told me he lived in the condo on the left of where  we were standing. He said he was 84 and he had lived there for thirty years.I told him I thought that was great. 

We never exchanged names but he told me he was waiting to see his daughter Betty. I saw him smiling  and looking down the street where a 50ish couple were getting boxes and bubble wrap out of their BMW.  I said “I hope you have a great visit” and resumed my walk home. I noticed the woman had been staring  at us and was still looking at me as I was about to pass them. She abruptly asked me if I had been talking  to someone, I said yes, the older gentleman that lives in that condo (I pointed to the building) and I noticed  the man was gone. She was looking at me oddly and I said “He told me he’s waiting to see his daughter  Betty”. 

With that her face crumpled into tears. and I thought OMG what did I say. She told me “Only my dad ever  called me Betty, I go by Liz or Elizabeth. He died a year ago today, Father’s Day. We’re here today to pack  up the last of his things”. She was crying softly and I told her that he looked great and he was so happy to see her. I was really flustered and was praying I wasn’t saying the wrong thing but then she hugged me and thanked me.  I wished her well and went on my way.

Continuing my walk home I pondered the question: How many  other strangers have I chatted with that weren’t really there ?

Patricia H. Wilson  © 2023    All rights reserved. 


Article is LOCKED by author/seeder
 

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pat wilson
Professor Participates
1  author  pat wilson    last year

I'm not a writer, constructive criticisms are welcome, gratuitous insults not so much.

 
 
 
devangelical
Professor Principal
1.1  devangelical  replied to  pat wilson @1    last year

I like short stories so I really liked it. it merged a few story elements together with a surprise ending.

 
 
 
pat wilson
Professor Participates
1.1.1  author  pat wilson  replied to  devangelical @1.1    last year

Thank you, dev.

 
 
 
cjcold
Professor Quiet
1.2  cjcold  replied to  pat wilson @1    last year

I assume that was meant for me. Nice story. I liked it.

 
 
 
pat wilson
Professor Participates
1.2.1  author  pat wilson  replied to  cjcold @1.2    last year

Thank you, cj.

 
 
 
Trout Giggles
Professor Principal
1.3  Trout Giggles  replied to  pat wilson @1    last year

You made me cry

Great story. I really loved the ending

 
 
 
devangelical
Professor Principal
1.3.1  devangelical  replied to  Trout Giggles @1.3    last year

meh, no beer in the fridge makes you cry...

 
 
 
Trout Giggles
Professor Principal
1.3.2  Trout Giggles  replied to  devangelical @1.3.1    last year

you be quiet

 
 
 
devangelical
Professor Principal
1.3.3  devangelical  replied to  Trout Giggles @1.3.2    last year

boo hoo hoo...

 
 
 
Drinker of the Wry
Senior Expert
1.3.4  Drinker of the Wry  replied to  devangelical @1.3.3    last year

[Deleted]

 
 
 
Trout Giggles
Professor Principal
1.3.5  Trout Giggles  replied to  Drinker of the Wry @1.3.4    last year

this is between Dev and me. What we have you will never have. So stay on the sidelines and just watch. Don't talk

 
 
 
Drinker of the Wry
Senior Expert
1.3.6  Drinker of the Wry  replied to  Trout Giggles @1.3.5    last year

[Deleted]

 
 
 
Texan1211
Professor Principal
1.3.7  Texan1211  replied to  Drinker of the Wry @1.3.6    last year

[Deleted]

 
 
 
Texan1211
Professor Principal
1.3.8  Texan1211  replied to  Drinker of the Wry @1.3.6    last year

[Deleted]

 
 
 
pat wilson
Professor Participates
1.3.9  author  pat wilson  replied to  devangelical @1.3.1    last year

Me too.

 
 
 
Trout Giggles
Professor Principal
1.3.10  Trout Giggles  replied to  pat wilson @1.3.9    last year

I don't cry...I whine until Mr Giggles makes a run to the liquor store

 
 
 
devangelical
Professor Principal
1.3.11  devangelical  replied to  Trout Giggles @1.3.5    last year
So stay on the sidelines and just watch. Don't talk

good luck with that...

 
 
 
devangelical
Professor Principal
1.3.12  devangelical  replied to  Trout Giggles @1.3.10    last year

I had to carefully monitor the ex's alcohol intake because there was so much irish in her...

 
 
 
Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
1.4  Vic Eldred  replied to  pat wilson @1    last year

Let me be the first to credit someone who takes a daily one hour walk.

 
 
 
pat wilson
Professor Participates
1.4.1  author  pat wilson  replied to  Vic Eldred @1.4    last year

Thank you, I try to make it daily but sometimes work gets in the way.

 
 
 
Buzz of the Orient
Professor Expert
3  Buzz of the Orient    last year

I enjoyed reading it, could picture the descriptions - the ending was an unexpected surprise.

 
 
 
pat wilson
Professor Participates
3.1  author  pat wilson  replied to  Buzz of the Orient @3    last year

Thanks, Buzz.

the ending was an unexpected surprise.

That's why I posted it in Veronica's group.

 
 
 
Buzz of the Orient
Professor Expert
3.1.1  Buzz of the Orient  replied to  pat wilson @3.1    last year

Understandable.  When I finished reading your story I thought about Veronica's ghost stories.

 
 
 
JohnRussell
Professor Principal
4  JohnRussell    last year

Nice story. 

 
 
 
pat wilson
Professor Participates
4.1  author  pat wilson  replied to  JohnRussell @4    last year

Thanks for taking time to read it, JR.

 
 
 
Kavika
Professor Principal
5  Kavika     last year

Nicely done, pat. 

I enjoyed that you mixed yesterday, today and perhaps the future. Never set boundries they inhibit adventure both physical and of the mind. 

 
 
 
pat wilson
Professor Participates
5.1  author  pat wilson  replied to  Kavika @5    last year

Thank you, Kavika, I appreciate your words, they give me something to think about.

 
 
 
1stwarrior
Professor Participates
6  1stwarrior    last year

One of the most beautiful stories I've seen from you in years - thank you so much Pat.

 
 
 
pat wilson
Professor Participates
6.1  author  pat wilson  replied to  1stwarrior @6    last year

I'm so glad you enjoyed it !

 
 
 
Ender
Professor Principal
7  Ender    last year

Spooky.

My Mother always said that right after my Grandmother died, one night she woke up and saw her sitting on the end of her bed.

 
 
 
pat wilson
Professor Participates
7.1  author  pat wilson  replied to  Ender @7    last year

Thank you, Ender. I've heard of people having that experience. About 40 years ago I had a cat that was killed by a car. That night she appeared on my bed. I remember trying to wake my husband but couldn't seem to. I think it was a dream.

 
 
 
Trout Giggles
Professor Principal
7.2  Trout Giggles  replied to  Ender @7    last year

Mr  G claimed he saw my mom sitting on the edge of his bed a few times after she passed

 
 
 
shona1
Professor Quiet
8  shona1    last year

Morning Pat..great story and a good one to read while having my morning cuppa and toast and Vegemite..

 
 
 
pat wilson
Professor Participates
8.1  author  pat wilson  replied to  shona1 @8    last year

Thanks, shona. I looked into Vegemite after hearing your praises. It's in my cart on Amazon, lol.

 
 
 
shona1
Professor Quiet
8.1.1  shona1  replied to  pat wilson @8.1    last year

Morning...well this will be a whole new experience for you..

Best way to have it..is:

Wait for the toast to cool down so the butter does not melt into it..only use butter forget margarine or any other gunk..

Put a good coating of butter on the toast..then a gentle smear all over the butter with Veggie..use enough so you can still see the butter through it..

Don't slather the veggie on like I have seen been done over there, then they complain it's like paint striper or axle grease...to which we nearly declared war on you mob..🤣🤣

We live on the stuff..if we ran out of Vegemite there would be riots across the country..🤣

Forget Marmite...poor man's Vegemite and it tastes like it..🤢

 
 
 
pat wilson
Professor Participates
8.1.2  author  pat wilson  replied to  shona1 @8.1.1    last year
only use butter

Absolutely !

 
 
 
devangelical
Professor Principal
8.1.3  devangelical  replied to  shona1 @8.1.1    last year

ugh...

the only food that looks the same after it's passed thru the digestive system...

 
 
 
shona1
Professor Quiet
8.1.4  shona1  replied to  devangelical @8.1.3    last year

Morning Devangie... whatttt...not our Vegie!!!...geez if that's what your digestive system looks like you must be really crook..

If anything it's more like your peanut butter..gross stuff and then you put jelly with it!!..huh now that is plain off like prawns in the sun...

Toasted muffin and vegie this morning... can't beat it..

 
 
 
Trout Giggles
Professor Principal
8.1.5  Trout Giggles  replied to  shona1 @8.1.4    last year

You don't like peanut butter?!?!?!?

are you some kind of commie?!!?!?

 
 
 
shona1
Professor Quiet
8.1.6  shona1  replied to  Trout Giggles @8.1.5    last year

Morning Trouty...🤣🤣

On the news last night.. some American tourists were attacked by a kangaroo over in WA...

Probably said something nasty about Vegemite...I rest my case..🦘🦘

 
 
 
Trout Giggles
Professor Principal
8.1.7  Trout Giggles  replied to  shona1 @8.1.6    last year

jrSmiley_10_smiley_image.gif

 
 
 
devangelical
Professor Principal
8.1.8  devangelical  replied to  Trout Giggles @8.1.7    last year

apparently peanut butter doesn't stick to the roof of your mouth down under...

 
 
 
shona1
Professor Quiet
8.1.9  shona1  replied to  devangelical @8.1.8    last year

Morning devangy... nothing sticks to us mob..🐨🦘😁

 
 
 
devangelical
Professor Principal
8.1.10  devangelical  replied to  shona1 @8.1.9    last year

meh, you know I love all the other misfits from the crown...

 
 
 
Veronica
Professor Guide
9  Veronica    last year

That was wonderful.  Thank you for blessing my group with it.

 
 
 
pat wilson
Professor Participates
9.1  author  pat wilson  replied to  Veronica @9    last year

Thank you, Veronica for your nice complement.

 
 
 
charger 383
Professor Silent
10  charger 383    last year

I liked it

 
 
 
pat wilson
Professor Participates
10.1  author  pat wilson  replied to  charger 383 @10    last year

Thank you, charger.

 
 
 
Trout Giggles
Professor Principal
11  Trout Giggles    last year

Pat...I apologize for the derail upthread

 
 
 
pat wilson
Professor Participates
11.1  author  pat wilson  replied to  Trout Giggles @11    last year

No worries.

 
 
 
devangelical
Professor Principal
11.2  devangelical  replied to  Trout Giggles @11    last year

I'm glad sandy cleaned up the mess.

 
 
 
Trout Giggles
Professor Principal
11.2.1  Trout Giggles  replied to  devangelical @11.2    last year

me, too

 
 
 
devangelical
Professor Principal
11.2.2  devangelical  replied to  Trout Giggles @11.2.1    last year

the last person that was constantly cleaning up after me, divorced me...

 
 
 
Trout Giggles
Professor Principal
11.2.3  Trout Giggles  replied to  devangelical @11.2.2    last year

don't look now...but that looks like a process server coming your way

 
 
 
devangelical
Professor Principal
11.2.4  devangelical  replied to  Trout Giggles @11.2.3    last year

oh crap...

 
 
 
Drinker of the Wry
Senior Expert
12  Drinker of the Wry    last year

[Deleted]

 
 
 
Igknorantzruls
Sophomore Quiet
13  Igknorantzruls    last year

not too shabby young lady

 
 
 
pat wilson
Professor Participates
13.1  author  pat wilson  replied to  Igknorantzruls @13    last year

Thank you, Iggy !

 
 
 
devangelical
Professor Principal
14  devangelical    last year

... and speaking of dead spirits that disappear.

 
 
 
devangelical
Professor Principal
14.1  devangelical  replied to  devangelical @14    last year

it makes one wonder if this could happen to anyone, and not even realize it when it did...

 
 
 
Waykwabu
Freshman Silent
15  Waykwabu    last year

Great story, great ending !!

 
 
 
pat wilson
Professor Participates
15.1  author  pat wilson  replied to  Waykwabu @15    last year

Thank you so much, Waykwabu.

 
 
 
pat wilson
Professor Participates
16  author  pat wilson    last year

Locking the article, it's run it's course. Thank you to everyone who stopped by. I really appreciate your time and kind words. And you especially dev, for all the bumps, lol.

 
 

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