Descension by C. E. Arnold

Author:C. E. Arnold [Arnold, C. E.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2025-03-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter XIX: The Wise Old Man

Wayne walked alongside Mr. Cross as the two found their way past downtown Fishers. They had walked some time, with Mr. Cross sharing stories of life in Indiana from fifty years ago. The walk led the two to a small park about the size of a football field. The green area was surrounded by streets on all sides and the center of commercial offices inside brick facades gave a mix of nice calm greenspace among the modern city life in a small-town atmosphere. It all felt soothing to Wayne.

At the opposite end of this park was an artistic monument that stood much taller than Wayne. He became distracted by the golden eagle perched atop the monument as they walked beneath it.

“You’ve stopped listening to me a few blocks back, Wayne. What do you say to tell me what’s crossing your mind now?” Roger stood looking at the young man. He was a wise old man and Wayne could tell there was much more to him than the worn-out dirty apparel he wore.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Cross. I’m still distracted by what happened. I can’t believe I spoke to my father that way.” Wayne struggled with not only his feelings of guilt but also with the confusion that came with it. He didn’t just lose control; it was as though the voice in his head had taken it.

“I understand. You must learn to accept what has been done. That, I think, is all one can do when things like this happen. Accept it.” Roger placed his hand on the young man’s shoulder as they began to walk some more. “I once had a moment like yours. I was much younger, maybe just a bit older than you are now.”

“You said things you didn’t know you had in you?” Wayne was sincerely interested now.

“Sure.” The old man walked and looked to the sky for his next thoughts. “I too had some troubles from my youth that seemed to haunt my thoughts. At times, it felt like they came from somewhere else. I would push them aside and walk through life, just ‘enduring.’ Those that were close to me did not know my troubles and would push their own agendas onto me. Finally, one day, I took a stance. I had enough of it.” He paused and looked at the young man’s face. “I said and did things I did not think I was capable of.” His own sincerity met Wayne’s gaze.

“What was it like?” Wayne was now captivated. Roger Cross was a wise, older man who seemed to know just what to say.

“It was scary at first. As I’m sure you are feeling now. But it was also liberating.” The two continued down the sidewalk, walking among the small trees. “I was able to get more in touch with who I really am. I began to shed the image of who I thought I was going to be. You see, Wayne… Once you accept this piece of you that you find inside yourself, your life will only begin.

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