One Moment In Time

Today Andy was busking. And who knew what tomorrow would bring?

- Susan Blackburn

TIM and Judy stared at each other in shock. “Did I hear what I thought I heard?”

Judy whispered. “I can’t believe it, either, love.” Tim righted the chair their son had tipped back when he’d erupted from his seat and stormed out. He switched on the kettle then turned to his wife.

“Busking?”

Andy felt bad. Although he was twenty-seven and living at home, his parents had never hinted that he should get his own place.

If anything, they seemed to enjoy having him around and they jogged along well.

Not this morning. They hadn’t been understanding at his news, and wouldn’t listen to a word he said.

He shouldn’t have lost his temper and stormed out. After all, it must have been a shock when he told them what he was planning. He’d apologise and try to talk to them later.

Andy stood on the riverbank, his thoughts churning around like the waters he was staring into, and berated himself.

He should have been stronger about what he wanted to do with his life and stood up to his dad at the time. But his father had instilled in him such doubts that he’d let himself be persuaded.

“You’ll have the best of both worlds this way,” his father had told him.

He knew his dad was not to be argued with when he called him Andrew.

“A good profession under your belt and music to your heart’s content as a hobby. Security and pleasure. What could be better?”

Sensible words, but if only he’d stuck to his guns. All those years wasted because he didn’t have the guts to follow his passion.

He gave a sigh. He had tried everything to make a go of his chosen career as a lawyer. At the time that profession appeared to be the least of all evils. But there was no getting away from it – he was miserable.