The Man Behind the Door by William F. Gray

Author:William F. Gray [Gray, William F.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-02-14T00:00:00+00:00

LARRY

Larry couldn’t have been over six years old as he sat in the tree stand with his father. The November morning had been especially cold as they waited for something, anything, to come walking by. Somewhere over the ridge was the vast tent that they stayed in with his father’s hunting buddies, with a roaring wood stove right in the middle of it just waiting to breathe life into Larry’s frozen fingers.

Larry had not wanted to go on this trip in the first place, but his father had insisted. He knew that his mother would have argued for him to stay but had decided not to put her through that. He was old enough to understand that his parent’s relationship was different than most others and not in a good way. He didn’t think too much about it other than when the two were fighting; he had other things on his mind most of the time.

The trip wasn’t too bad overall. The drive had been grueling, with very little said between father and son. When he had been younger Larry had often wondered what he had done to make his father so cold but now understood that the old man had issues that had nothing to do with either of his sons. Things had been good the first night they arrived as they unloaded and Larry met his father’s hunting companions. He realized quickly that these people were not his father’s friends; his father didn’t have any. These people were the friends of his father’s father. Hell, they were little more than acquaintances.

They had taught Larry how to play cards as they sat by the stove, good old Texas Hold ‘Em with pennies for antes. It was a surreal experience and one of the few fond memories that he had of spending time with his father. He had won nothing but had plenty of fun, and that was just fine.

The trouble started at night as he lay in the sleeping bag near the back of the tent, shaking with cold. He had not expected this and struggled to stay quiet so as not to wake up anyone. He thought it would never end when he finally drifted off to sleep.

When he had woken, he found himself laying on his father’s cot next to the wood stove. He was so toasty warm that he almost couldn’t recall how cold he had been the night before.

“Come on, Larry,” his father had said, “It’s time to get out there.”

Now, as they sat in the tree stand, Larry wondered if he would die out here before they would make their way back. He tried to tell himself that his father would never let him freeze to death and was unsurprised when he couldn’t believe it.

“Dad, I’m really cold,” Larry said, feeling his teeth chatter. His father had simply looked at him. Larry was once again reminded how different he was from his the man and felt ashamed for saying anything.

“We’ll head back soon,” he had finally said.

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