A Coat for the Wrong Season

He walked a well trodden path. Looking at everything and nothing. He liked this walk it was the quickest way to his destination.

To look at him you'd see a small hunched man. His coat was for the wrong season. His socks striped and more colourful than a rainbow.

On he walked. Ignoring the looks of pity and concern from strangers.

He arrived at his destination. Then he paused...a "For Sale" sign on the lawn caught his eye. A tear formed and rolled down his weathered cheek. He hunched down more. What would he do now? He looked forlorn and sad. Where would the home owner go? How would he track them?

The home owner was cleaning the living room. She kept a tidy house and believed everything had a place. Suddenly she saw a man wearing an oversized coat and very colourful socks. He was at the end of her driveway peering in.

Her first move was to the phone. Who was this strange man? Why was he here and what did he want? By the looks of him he needed a good bath and some food.

She stopped and looked outside again. He was hunched and had a beard but something stopped her dialing of the phone. It was his eyes, the tears. She was taken back to her Mom's funeral . It was the last time she saw him.

It couldn't be could it? She moved towards the front door.

He was just turning to go when he heard the door open. That had never happened before. His first instinct was to walk away. He didn't want trouble.

He paused, scared of what was about to be said. He braced for the anger...then..."Dad is that you?" His tears stopped.

He turned slowly and started to stand tall.

To think it all started with a walk!