311

His life a journey
Spent looking down at his feet
Walking towards darkness

310

Tom slumps in his chair
Lets the phone fall to the floor
Paralyzed and trapped

299

Thanks for calling, Ben
Wait, don’t go, are you all right?
Thanks for calling, son

290

A wall between them
One Tom decided to build
But now it’s too high

288

Dad? Are you still there?
Tom trying to speak, trying
To say how he feels

285

Moments of silence
As Tom struggles with his pride
He wants, but can’t ask

279

Yes. What do you want?
What do I want? You called me
I didn’t call you, Dad

271

Tom accepts the phone
His mind filled with suspicion
Hi, Ben, is that you?

270

Sue holds out the phone
Just take it, you proud old fool
Ben is on the phone

269

Ben is on the phone?
I did not hear the phone ring
Has he called for me?

268

She runs through the house
Calling out for Tom to come
Ben is on the phone!

267

A lengthy silence
Benjamin, he’s your father
Okay. Put him on

263

Hi, Ma, how are you?
I’m well, but it’s your father
Will you talk to him?

262

She calls Ben later
From a back room, whispering
So Tom cannot hear

261

The food sustains him
But provides no nourishment
Life without healing

257

Now eating the meal
Chewing and swallowing. Not
Talking about Ben

256

Go sit down, Sue says
Supper will be ready soon
We’ll call Ben after

255

He should want to call
I am his father. Why should
He need to be tricked?

252

He will, she assures
I’ll call, get him on the phone
Then pass him to you

251

He’s my son, Tom cries
Old wounds opening anew
He should speak to me