The telephone number remained in John’s pocket for two weeks. Each time that he rummaged in there for change, he felt the raggedy note first. He had no idea what he should do or how he should go about it and, truth be told, it unnerved him. The summer was on the way, the bright evenings were getting longer and everyone around seemed carefree and jolly. John often wondered what he must have done in the past to deserve the burden that he was carrying. He knew that the debits far outweighed the credits in his life books and he had to find a way to balance them or at least bring them closer together. By calling the number and simply picking up the phone, he knew that he would be taking a step in the right direction. John was on his own with these thoughts when suddenly, he heard a loud rap at his door. He jumped up from his armchair and hurried over to see what all the commotion was about.
Family Ties (Extract)
