Short Stories

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A to Z Challenge: African Return

Another day had passed and still Father had not returned home. Before his heart attack nobody would have had a single concern about his late return, but his unexpected turn of health definitely changed that part of his life. Candace looked out the window of their small African cabin and fought the tear that struggled to free itself.

Don’t do this to yourself! she thought. Eat something. Food will take your mind off of him. Geese squawked outside and she suddenly found herself actually wanting to prepare a bird feast. Her aggressive attitude shocked her but she knew this was a tense time for her. It would be laughable later . . . after Father returned.

“James get back yet?” Kabe’s abrupt voice came from the open south window. Literally, Candace had to catch her breath before replying to her father’s best friend.

“My goodness, Kabe! Never do that to me again.”

“Ohmygosh, girl. Pansies don’t survive in the wilds of Africa and ‘sides, you know your paw never tolerated that kind of fool attitude in you.”

“Quit treating me like a child, too.” Ragged, raw emotion was clearly taking over and Candace was determined not to give in. “Sorry, Kabe. This waiting is tearing me to pieces. Usually I know where he is and when he will return. “ Virtually every fiber of her being wanted to cry out but she knew it would do no good. Where could he be?

“X-rays take time to do right” the welcome voice of her father said as he came through the door. “Zebras don’t hold still very well and I had to help the vet hold Stripes down.”

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