Craig glanced sideways. As usual, his father was pacing alongside the pool as he swam, yelling what he probably thought was encouragement. As he dipped his head into the water his father’s words cut in and out like a flickering radio station.
Craig Sr. had been an NCAA contender, but never quite a champion. He’d groomed his son almost from the time he could walk. Swim clubs, private coaching, an NCAA scholarship to a state school.
Craig focused on his stroke, that old familiar weight of water pushing against his limbs as he swam.
God, how he hated it.
Dear Josh,
That last line is so telling. Who’s living whose dream? Well written strokes.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Great story about how parents try to re-live their dreams through their children. I hope Craig finds the strength to follow his own path. (I can see how both our stories covered similar themes this week.) :)
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
Thanks!
Another son chasing another father’s dreams. Nicely told.
I liked the flickering radio station – great image
Thanks
Thanks!
The last line really brings it all together. Nicely told.
-David
Flickering radio station…nice phrase. The metaphorical last line, too. Nice one, Hardy.
Pushy parents are the worst, especially if he is too scared to tell his father what he really thinks of swimming.
Hopefully in time he’ll have the strength and courage to stand up and walk away.Excellent.
Keith’s Ramblings is but a click away!
And some parents wonder why the kids don’t come back when they turn 18.
Countless kids are forced to live their parents’ dream. Too many are afraid to go against them and say no and too many will do whatever it takes to get that approval that never seems to come.
So many parents try to live their dreams through their children. And then convince themselves it’s the kid’s choice.
Too true!
Using children rather than nurturing them invariably leads to problems in the future.
Rosey, a joke and some wine!.
No doubt. Thanks
Well intentioned but pushy father is making his son hate swimming.
Happens too frequently, and destroys any possibility of a good relationship between father and son. Tragic.
So unfortunate when some parents try to live vicariously through their children. Especially when the child has no interest.
Indeed!
What we don’t do for our parents, eh. Great story.
Love Craig’s voice. So recognisable, the pushy father. Favourite line: ‘his father’s words cut in and out like a flickering radio station.
Is there a reason for the title?
Really just a rumination about how we unwittingly become our parents. Thanks for reading