Sunday, February 20, 2011

My Father's Pocket Watch

A round, gold pocket watch is attached to a long gold chain. Indentions from babies’ teething dent the worn timepiece.

The man’s trousers feature a special hidden pocket below the waistband just large enough for the watch to slip inside and disappear.

The chain is hooked to a front belt loop, making the chain look like a golden capital U.

The little girl climbs up onto her daddy’s lap, pulling at the chain to extricate the watch from its hiding place.

Tiny hands hold the watch while one little finger pushes on the watch’s magic button, making the top pop up to reveal the watch’s face, bringing smiles to two other faces.

The little girl bends down to bring the watch to her ear, turning her bright eyes toward those of her father, stretching the chain tautly as she pulls.

“Tick, tick, tick, tick,” the second hand says as it travels around to each of the twelve numbers. Father and daughter share a warm hug, a melting heart, and a child’s giggle.

I loved my Daddy’s lap and his pocket watch.

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