"Memories of Summer"
by Marit Rasmussen

Taken with kind permission from Father's On-Line Library

Vincent was on his way home after another nightly patrol. It had
been a hot, sticky and uncomfortable evening,- until a
thunderstorm broke loose, setting the night sky on fire. The
heavy rainstorm that followed had cleared the atmosphere,- and
Vincent thankfully drew in heavy helpings of fresh air, with all
it's familiar scents, as he came into the park.

Slowly he made his way under the trees, moving in the direction
of the pond. But coming over the little hill, he stopped dead,-
totally fascinated by the landscape that unfolded beneath him:
The heat from the ground had caused the rainwater to evaporate
into soft white patches of mist that now floated freely over the
grass, and shrouded the little island in the lake. The sight was
breathtaking,- and Vincent knew that there was but one thing to
do...

"Jacob..." Vincent leaned over the boy's bed, and gently shook
him awake: "Jacob..?"

Jacob turned over and blinked sleepily against the light,- a
slight alarm in his eyes "What is it, Dad,- am I late?" Vincent
smiled and shook his head."No" he whispered,- "It is very early
yet,- but,- there is something I would like to show you...." The
hint of excitement in the soft voice, and the eager glint in his
father's eyes woke Jacob up in seconds. "Ok, Dad,- where are we
going?" "Out..." "Out? Cool, Dad!" "It could well be-" Vincent
smiled at him. "You'd better put this coat on,- and boots too.."

A couple of minutes later they were on their way,- Vincent
carrying Jacob, to save time. The same sleepy guards who had
worried as Vincent had rushed past them without time for a single
word, now understood his rush,- and smilingly they waved to Jacob
as the boy greeted them from Vincent's arms.

Finally, they arrived at the tunnel entrance,- and Vincent let
them out through the steel door. "Go, Jacob,- I shall be right
behind you..."

Jacob walked slowly,- and somewhat uneasy towards the park,-
still wondering what he was supposed to see. What if he didn't
see it? Would Dad be very disappointed?

But he needn't have worried. The minute he came out in open air,
he gasped in amazement at the enchanted landscape,- Was this
really the park that he knew so well? It couldn't be!

Stunned, he stared at the well-known playground which by the aid
of a full moon and the heavy rain had been turned into an almost
unearthly place. Everything was dripping wet,-and the generous
showers of moonlight gave each leaf a silvery gleam, and made the
grass sparkle as if sprinkled with diamond dust.

Vincent had watched him from a distance, delighted that his son
had been as enchanted as he by this magnificent sight. Now he
walked over to him, and putting both arms around him he
whispered: Was it worth getting up for?" "Oh YES, Dad,- it is
beautiful!" "and there is more. Come.."

Jacob grabbed his hand,- and together, father and son wandered
into the magical landscape,- their feet leaving dark footprints
in the wet grass. Vincent lead Jacob up the little hill above the
lake,- and again, Jacob was left speechless by the sight of the
slowly raising mist. He stared and stared, and could not have
enough.

Silently, Vincent spread out his cloak on the ground under a
tree, and maneuvered Jacob onto it. The boy still hadn't
spoken,- so totally absorbed was he over the splendid view that
unfolded beneath them. Vincent let him enjoy it in peace,- and it
took minutes before the child suddenly whispered: "Dad,- this is
just like in - the book..." Vincent smiled down at him. "you
read my mind, Son... Do you remember it?"

"Some of it.." -In a soft whisper he began:

"And as the morning mists had risen long ago......"

When he got stuck,- Vincent picked it up in the same soft
whisper: "So the evening mists were rising now, and in all the
broad expanse of tranquil light they showed to me, I saw no
shadow of another parting..."

When he had finished,- Jacob looked up with an uncertain look in
his eyes:
"Dad.... do you think that ... I ..shall ever leave .. the
tunnels?"

Vincent nodded. "It is my greatest hope for you, son......"

"But,- will you come with me, then?"

He knew the answer,- and Vincent only confirmed it: "No,-Jacob,-
my world is here..."

"But I don't WANT to leave you, Dad!" Suddenly Jacob felt the
peaceful situation became threatening. But Vincent calmed him:
"Son,- It won't be until you are ready.. When you feel the world
calling for you. then you shall go....",- Jacob let this new
thought sink in, but it didn't change the worried look on his
face, so Vincent felt the need to continue:

" -And..it doesn't have to be for ever either. But my greatest
hope for you has always been, that you shall see all those
places that I can only dream of. You will be my eyes and ears to
the world..." Jacob thought this over,- it made sense, after
all. "And while I am away,- we will be... friends apart..?"
"Always, Jacob..."

They sat in silence for another while, watching the landscape
change and change again as the morning broke. The first birds
took to their wings, showering the two motionless figures with
praise of the dawn.

Jacob knew that the redding of the sky was a signal of warning,
and tugged at Vincent's shirt: " We must go, Dad,- it'll be
daylight soon.." Vincent sighed, but agreed: "Much as I would
have liked to stay, Jacob.." "It's ok, Dad,- it's getting cold,
too.." They got up, and Vincent carefully covered his head with
the hood of his cloak against the scrutinizing morning light.

In silence they walked back below, where Jacob instantly fell
into a heavy, content sleep.

"But was THAT wise, Vincent?" Father, who after having watched
Jacob fall asleep at the dinner table had demanded an
explanation,- and Vincent saw no reason to withhold the truth.

Vincent did not answer at first. His eyes had that dreamy,
distant look which told Father that his son was experiencing last
night's adventure once more.

The old man was about to ask again, when Vincent came back from
his dreamy state,- and slowly shook his head: "No, Father. It was
NOT wise. But it was beautiful..."
"A moment to treasure?" "Forever.... For both of us..."

"Then it was a risk worth taking, son.."

And they knew in their hearts that it was so.

Marit Rasmussen
August-95

Memories of Summer has been published in the Beauty and the Beast
UK Chamber Magazine where it won the award for best short story
of 1996.