Creative Writing: Change - Coursework Example

As a little boy, Robin was an introvert who preferred poring over books. He was bright in study and showed no interest in sports but was always eager to talk to his friends’ fathers. I distinctly remember that during parent’s day in school, he would unobtrusively study other children’s fathers and look wistfully at them. I knew he lived with his mother and he had no father. But, then it is not so uncommon to have single parent so I had never asked him about his father. My parents are separated and I live with my mother.

It was probably one of the main reasons that we had become close friends. We would share lot of things and try to resolve all types of mysteries together. It is only in front of strangers and police that he would withdraw himself into his shell and refuse to answer any query. It is okay because everyone has some finicky habit. Today, however, it was different because despite being the last day of school, he looked uneasy and extremely sad. He also did not talk to my father who had come to pick me up.

I was going to stay with my father in New York. I had asked him to accompany me with my father to New York but his mother had refused permission. My father was also perplexed because normally Robin would be gregarious and talk incessantly with him about everything. He gently asked him if something was bothering him. He hung his head and fumbled in his bag. His actions were agitated and he was frantically trying to search something for us to share. He took out a photo which looked like twin towers which were destroyed in 9/11 terrorist attack.

He kept staring at it for some time and then burst in tears. We were taken a back because normally Robin was a stoic person who did not display emotions of distress. He always showed his cheerful self or went quiet. My father quickly bent down and took him into his arms. We are 14 years old and hate public hugs! But Robin was past that stage and clung to my father as if desperate. The change from cheerful to extreme anguish also made me cry. I wiped my tears and softly touched him. He took my hands but continued to hold my father.

After twenty minutes or so, he mumbled that his father had died in the 9/11 attack. It has been nearly ten years and he must have been child when his father was snatched away in such a tragic way. The photo in his bag showed that his scars were still painful. Lots of emotions must be churning inside Robin which had made him introvert and distrustful of strangers. I also suddenly realized that it would be 10th anniversary of 9/11 in around 45 days’ time and if somehow, Robin could be made to visit the site of disaster, it would have cathartic effect on him and he would be able to have a new perspective to issues and questions that are tormenting him.

My father had a talk with Robin’s mother and she allowed him to spend his summer holidays with us. Robin and I were ecstatic and hugged each other with happiness. My father looked indulgently at us and told us to behave ourselves. We nodded our head and continued to make plans for our vacations. Now and then we would both ensure that father agreed to our plans. It was in the flight itself that coming weekend was booked for visiting twin tower site. I would never forget the day we visited the site of 9/11 attack.

The site has been turned into memorabilia for the departed. There are lots of burning candles and flowers. There is strange kind of serenity and also a great sense of patriotism that inculcates a resolution to fight against the dastardly acts of violence. Robin and I were quiet. When Robin saw the other buildings and imagined the twin towers, he was awed and realized that many fathers had become victims of 9/11 and he was amongst the many who were deprived of their parent or even both the parents.

With moist eyes he turned to me and said ‘thank you’! There was tremendous change in Robin. He looked calm, as if a huge burden has been lifted from his shoulder. He promised to bring together all children of 9/11 victims to share good memories to wipe-out 9/11. Indeed, it would be most effective way to show the enemies that death not necessarily separates but also helps to forge bonds of love. (words: 775)