Tree of Life

By Bob Haider

Tree of Life is comprised of the following short stories...

One Glorious Afternoon---Children at play

The Willow and the Elm---Grandpa relates a story

Dear Mr. Mayor---A young boy writes a letter

The Reflecting Pond---A man wonders if he made a difference

Angel Speak---A man meets a woman in a remote location

In the Silence of the Kitchen---Two men bond during a painful experience

Face to Face---A man's arrogance is revealed

The Event---News media converge on a small town

Highway Patrol---A trucker has a bizarre experience

Goodnight Sweet Prince---A wife's misguided love

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bob Haider
• Release date: Mar 27, 2024
• ISBN: 9798223143192

Bob Haider

In addition to Brothers and the short stories, Tree of Life, Bob has authored the Ben & Bob adventure series, as well as full-length novels Pictures on the Wall, his initial novel on political courage, Whispers in the Night about revenge on a criminal empire and The Game Begins about an elusive serial killer. Raised in Downers Grove, Illinois, Bob is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma and lives in Glenview, Illinois with his long-time companion, Mary Ellen.

Book preview

One Glorious Afternoon

Oh, Dear! sighed Angela as she glanced at her watch.  The children are due to arrive any minute! she lamented, as she rushed from the shimmering gate at the front entrance, and traversed the expansive grounds toward the massive estate house.  As she burst through the large double doors, she yelled, Malakim, Malakim!

He immediately popped up from behind a video machine where he was tending to some last-minute maintenance, Yes?

Angela turned abruptly, Ah, there you are!  Come along! she prodded him.  We’ve no time to waste!

Malakim’s eyebrows arose in annoyance.  What would you like me to do next?

Make some punch.  Pizza makes children very thirsty and carbonated drinks are not good for them.

Okay, he acknowledged with a nod, but hesitated.

Yes, yes, what is it? she asked with a degree of irritation.

Has the pizza already been ordered?

A wry smile crossed Angela’s face.  Don’t worry, I ordered plenty of pizza.  We’ll feed you too, she smiled tenderly.  I ordered some of your favorite...Pepperoni.

Malakim flashed a wide grin.

Now get on with it, she directed him with a flick of her hand, make that punch.

Eons away in a suburban medical clinic, a young woman removed her eyeglasses and began to disrobe.  Her facial expression conveyed a blank stare as she donned the surgical robe and lay down on the table.  As a nurse assisted her into the stirrups, she glanced through the gaps in the blinds of the second-floor window and saw the sky had darkened considerably.

Dr. Anson entered and said, Don’t worry about anything, Kate.  It’ll all be over soon.

When Kate nodded in silent resignation, Dr. Anson attempted to sooth her anxiety.  When we’re finished, it’ll be like it never happened.

Yeah, she whispered in the seclusion of her own thoughts.  That’s what I wish—-that it never happened.

In the palatial mansion Malakim stirred a bright red liquid in a large bowl and wondered if the children would like the punch while knowing they’d much prefer the refreshing carbonated soda Angela would not allow.

One thing’s for sure, he muttered, hasn’t been a child through here yet that didn’t like the pizza.  They enjoy the camaraderie too.  There’s just something about a group of kids at a pizza party that brings out every ounce of enjoyment within them—-and noise too, he chuckled.

At the medical center, Dr. Anson informed his young patient that all had gone well and there were no complications.

Kate nodded again in silent resignation.

When Dr. Anson and the nurse stepped away to arrange disposal, Kate was alone, and, as she got dressed and put her glasses back on, she again peered out of the narrow spaces between the blinds.  It was much darker now as a fierce summer rain pelted the window.

At the mansion Malakim yelled to be heard above the din.

Here they come! as the decibel level soared in a crescendo of high-pitched screams when the children rushed into the large game room.

While Malakim held his hands over his ears, Angela smiled widely at the throng of youngsters.

Oh, the exuberance and energy of youth!

As Angela was about to close the door, a late arrival...a serious looking young boy wearing eyeglasses...came running up and squeezed inside.

Well, you just made it, little one! she laughed, as the youngster beamed with joy and ran inside where a pizza lunch and an afternoon of fun awaited him.

This group of youngsters was very much like all those who had come before them.  They ate their fill of pizza, and drank Malakim’s punch.  They laughed and playfully teased one another while they shouted in boisterous enthusiasm.

I’m gonna be a fireman one day so I can ride on a fire engine, and put out fires, said one youngster proudly.

That’s what I wanted to do! protested one of the other young boys, as if only one of them could choose that vocation.

Not me, said one young girl, I’m going to be a policewoman so I can rescue people and put bad guys in jail.

Neat, cooed one of the children.

A young girl shouted.  I want to be Miss America and travel all around the world proudly wearing my crown.

A tall, long-haired boy playing a video game nearby shook his head, and snickered, Little Miss Wonderful.

I’m going be a baseball player and make fifteen million dollars a year! yelled another youngster.

Nah! interjected a tall, longhaired boy, as he turned from playing at a nearby video machine.  Basketball and endorsements are where the real money is.  I’m going to play hoops for a living and I’ll be richer than all of you put together.

And I’m going to be a sports agent and deduct a nice, large fee for myself, another boy shouted with glee.

Pepperoni anyone? Malakim shouted above the clamor, as he arrived with a fresh plate of pizza and before he could set the plate on the table a half dozen hands reached for a slice, as Malakim quickly grabbed one for himself before it was devoured.

A sensitive young girl said, I want to learn to play the piano so I can write beautiful songs that move people’s emotions.

The boy at the video machine simply shook his head, and mumbled, Geek.

Angela refilled some glasses with punch, as the serious looking child with spectacles, who had been the last one to arrive, poignantly interjected, I’m going be a doctor and travel to a faraway land to help poor people and try to make things a little better for them.

Angela smiled at the darling, patted the top of his head, and, as she moved toward the next table, she wiped some moisture from her eyes with the back of her hand.

It went on like this as each child stated exactly what they wanted to do, and all the while, they playfully teased each other each time one of them spoke.

After lunch they played hide and seek and explored the many rooms of the expansive mansion...none of which were off limits to these young innocents.

When the day was done and it was time to leave, each youngster, one by one, politely thanked Angela and Malakim.  They thanked them for the pizza and the punch.  They thanked them for a great time.  But most of all, they were thankful for something they never thought they’d get a chance to do.

On this one, glorious afternoon, with those who would have been their classmates and friends, they were able to talk—-about all the things they might have done.

The Willow and the Elm

Jessica raced from the car to the front door and rang the bell.

When Carl Bradley appeared at the door, he greeted his granddaughter with a wide smile.

Well, hello, honey.

Hi, Grandpa! sparkled eight-year-old Jessica.

How’s my favorite granddaughter?

Grandpa you always say that.  I’m your only granddaughter.

Carl’s daughter Kate chuckled at their exchange.

"Thanks again for offering to watch Jessica.

Oh, no problem, Kate.  We always have such a great time together, he said, as he looked at Jessica and asked, Would you like to go to the park today?

Jessica nodded heartily.

Give mommy a kiss, honey, said Kate, as she leaned down.  Jessica kissed her mom goodbye and gave her a big hug.  You have a good time and be a good girl for grandpa.

Jessica nodded, I will.

Carl and Jessica waved goodbye and after Kate drove away Carl turned to his granddaughter and said, Want to ride on the swings?

Jessica nodded eagerly.

Earlier that morning, a gentle April rain had fallen and the smell of spring freshness filled the air as Jessica and her grandfather headed toward the park, as bright sunshine now glimmered across a powder blue sky.  It was one of the first days of spring in Chicago that brings everyone out after a long winter’s confinement.

When they arrived at the park, Jessica raced toward the swings and soon realized that her grandfather had stopped a good distance behind her.  He was standing in front of a Willow tree and she ran back to him.

Come on, grandpa, she beckoned.  Swing me on the swings.

But her grandfather didn’t hear her, as he stared at the tree.

Jessica gazed upward, and asked, What are you looking at, grandpa?

Hmm? he responded without turning his gaze from the tree.

What are you looking at, grandpa?

Oh, the Weeping Willow, he said in a faraway voice.  I’m sorry, sweetheart.  You wanted to go swinging.

Carl Bradley started to walk in the direction of the swings but Jessica didn’t move, as she asked, "Grandpa, why do they call it a Weeping Willow?"

Well, that’s a rather long story, Jessica.

Oh, please, grandpa, please tell me the story! pleaded Jessica.

Aware of how much Jessica loved his stories he relented.

All right, but let’s go sit on the bench.  We’ll have a good view of the willow, and I can also rest my weary old legs while I tell you the story.

Okay, okay! screeched Jessica, her excitement rising in anticipation of hearing another story from her granddad.

As they sat down, her grandfather began, "First, Jessica, I want you to take a look at the Weeping Willow, and tell me if you see anything different from other trees.

Jessica nodded, as she began to study the tree, and quickly answered, "It’s a real big tree,