The Favorite

Joe built Tommy in his 9^th grade wood sculpture class. As Joe was an artist in his soul, he allowed the wood to shape itself into what it was meant to be – Tommy emerged. Made of cherry wood from a tree limb pruned from one in his back yard, Joe made the bright wood shine ever brighter with linseed oil.

Tommy stood on Joe’s desk through high school and into college. Joe was learning to be an architect, but his artist self liked to fly whenever there was time between studies. Joe loved the heroes and legends in comic book universes. Wolverine was his favorite; many hours went into perfecting penciled illustrations of him.

Tommy watched as Joe worked. He too became mesmerized by Wolverine. He began to feel inadequate with his simple featureless wooden body. He dreamed of big muscles, wild hair on his head and face. Most of all, Tommy dreamed of sharp blades extending from his dowel-like wooden stubs. Maybe then Joe would pay attention to him again and wipe the dust that had been gathering on him away.

Joe finished architecture school and was offered a job in the big city. Tommy watched as Joe boxed up his possessions. Joe picked Tommy up and walked to the living room, where his mother was reading a book.

“Mom, I want you to have something around the house that will remind you of me. What could be better than my prized possession, Tommy?”

Joe’s mother’s eyes glistened with love as she looked at him, then at Tommy.

“Son, thank you. I promise to take good care of him and will think of you each time I polish him with linseed oil.”

Tommy took his place on the fireplace mantel with pride, next to the many framed photos that rested there.

The End.  [305 words]

Fandango is the host of Fandango’s Flash Fiction Challenge.  Fandango says:
Welcome to “Fandango’s Flash Fiction Challenge.” Each week I will be posting a photo I grab off the internet and challenge bloggers to write a flash fiction piece or poem inspired by the photo [at the top of the page.] There are no style or word limits.

The image is from Victoria_Borodinova at Pixabay.