Happy Father's Day, Dad

         Gasping, legs trembling, Tom stumbled out onto the crest of the mountain. As his pulse steadied and his breathing slowed, he drank in the panorama of endless, intense blue sky and jagged rocks. Nothing had changed.

         Shrugging out of his knapsack, he heard his Father's words echo into the vast silence.

         "What did you learn today, son?"

         Tom grinned." Well, Dad I learned that I'm not as fit as I thought. That trail is steeper than I recall. I remember we hiked it a few times every summer. Whew, but here we are."

         Reaching into his bag, Tom pulled out a burnished, metal urn. Twisting the lid, he stopped to follow a lone eagle as it swooped, soared, and sailed. The majestic bird seemed to dance on the wind.

         "Did you see that, Dad? I suppose you don't need binoculars any more. You'll be in good company."

         With a grand arcing motion, Tom flung his parent's ashes into the breeze. They skipped and shimmied. They floated and scattered. In a spiral, his father swirled slowly away. Again, Tom sensed a whisper.

         "What did you learn today, son?"

         Sighing, he replied. "I learned how to say good-bye. Now, your final wish has been granted. You can fly with the eagles. You've been granted the perfect escape. Happy Father's Day, Dad. Enjoy your flight." ( 222 words )