Timothy Tried
By Alaina Hammond
Embedded Files
Alaina Hammond is a poet, playwright, fiction writer, and visual artist. Her poems, plays, short stories, paintings, drawings and photographs have been published both online and in print. Publications include Spinozablue, Third Wednesday Magazine, [Alternate Route], Paddler Press, Macrame Literary Journal, Sublunary Review, Clockwise Cat, Ranger Magazine, 10 By 10 Flash, Waffle Fried, House of Arcanum, Synchronized Chaos, and Well Read Magazine. @alainaheidelberger on Instagram.
At eighteen, Timothy was tall and overweight. He was self-conscious about neither of these things, and so his large soft body never seemed to apologize for itself. Soft-spoken, slow-moving, most likely autistic, Timothy was the model of a gentle giant. He was extremely talented at gardening and cooking. His photography was excellent, for he had a keen and subtle eye.
Though more or less average at academics, all of his teachers remarked upon his kindness.
The popular kids respected him. The less popular kids adored him.
His four younger siblings and two older siblings openly loved him best of all. His parents were more subtle regarding their preference.
He was accepted into a prestigious culinary institute, as well a decent state university. His parents assured him it was his decision. But it was obvious his dad wanted him to become a master chef, whereas his mom was hoping he’d get a more balanced liberal arts education. She pointed out, not incorrectly, that the latter would allow more options down the line.
He ultimately chose the state school. It was less about his future vocation, and more about worrying he’d be homesick. Although near-universally beloved, he was an introvert with few close friends. All of them were staying local for college, and he’d have felt “left out” if he left them.
He also didn’t want to live too far away from his parents and siblings, for he was a family boy and homebody to his core.
Besides, he knew that there was often screaming in high-end kitchens. He didn’t like the idea of working in such an angry environment, however much he loved food.
His first semester, Timothy started volunteering at the local library. He was seriously considering a career as a librarian. He liked libraries. They had so many books about gardening and cooking, and also there was never any screaming. That was part of the library’s design.
The day Timothy died, there was so much more than screaming in the library. He used his large body as a shield, trying to protect children. It wasn’t enough, to save them from the bullets. Still, it was clear he’d done his best.
Their parents derived a bit of comfort from that.
His own parents did, as well
Page updated
Report abuse