This week’s photo prompt is provided by J.S. Brand. Thank you J.S. for our photo prompt!
Old Axelrod counted each step on his assent. He didn’t remember difficulty when he had last come here. That time had been with his son Ben and when the four year old had tired, Axelrod had swung him easily atop his shoulders and finished the climb.
The old man’s request for company from his now grown son was met with a curt dismissal. Ben’s life centered on business: clients must be seen, reports filed.
Even though Axelrod had only himself to get up the steep climb, he found the steps painful. Maybe he should turn back, but the marker proclaimed the end of the trail. Pausing only long enough to catch his breath, he stole one last glance at the town below. Nothing to hold him any longer.
With an upward gaze, expectation filled his soul. He hardly noticed his feet touching the ground as he effortlessly reached the peak. A new world lay before him.
This weeks prompt:
https://flashfictionforaspiringwriters.wordpress.com/2017/07/17/fffaw-challenge-week-of-july-18-2017
Alphabet Story 
Lovely story! His life has changed drastically and the top of the climb is a metaphor to that! Wonderful!
A hopeful story of new beginnings. Nicely done.
A great story. It really touched me showing the distance that had grown between father and son.
Really touching and sadly reflective of so many parents’ experiences.