superannuated
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The old steam engine rolled to a stop. Its wheels clanked, its engine sputtered and groaned. The bolts were worn to near breaking. Even the paint looked like it was giving up on life. Ted sighed as he watched it come to a stop. He dreaded the conversation he was about to have.
An old man struggled out of the old train, looking every bit as worn as the machine was. Ted rushed to help him get out without hurting himself.
“Oh stop it. I’m not that old.” The engineer said. His voice was as rough and worn as the rest of him.
“Hate to say it, dad, but yes, you are.” Ted winced even as he said it. “You shouldn’t even be out here. And you definitely shouldn’t be riding in that thing.” He nodded towards the train.
“Why not? It runs just fine.”
“Dad, it’s falling apart.”
“No it’s not. It’s doing just fine. Mark my words, Teddy, this beauty will outlast both of us.”
Ted’s face contorted in concern as he helped his father get to the nearest place to sit. This was the part he dreaded.
“Dad, you need to retire it. It’s too old to run for much longer. All the engineers I’ve talked to wonder how it’s still running at all.”
“Oh don’t listen to those rookies. They wouldn’t know good engineering if it bit them. She runs better than those new trains ever will.” The old man puffed himself up with pride as much as his frail frame would allow.
“I’m just worried is all. It could fall apart at any moment. And if you’re inside of it when that happens?”
“It won’t. And even if it does, that’s fine. If I die on the rails, I’ll consider that a fine death.”
Ted did not want to hear his dad talking about his death. Intellectually, he knew it was going to happen. Probably within the next few years. But emotionally, he wanted nothing to do with it.
“I’d rather you spend time with Lisa and Chris than with an outdated train engine.”
“Why not both? I can take them for a ride. I’m sure they’ll love it.”
“Dad, I am not letting my kids on something that can break at any moment.”
The old man looked at his son like the younger man was crazy. It only lasted a moment before he turned back to the worn-out train. “Their loss.”
Ted took a deep breath. “Why don’t we just drop it for now. Come on, let’s get you home. If you like, we can get you a few model trains to mess around with.”
The old man scoffed. “Those toys? Why would I bother with those things when I have the real thing right here? But sure, let’s go. I’ve had my ride for the day. Seeing the grandkids will be nice after that.”
Ted placed a hand on his father’s back. It took him a few tried, even with help, but he managed to stand. Ted guided his father to the car. He paused and took a look back at the train engine. He wondered if it would even last another month. And more importantly, what his father would do when it finally broke down.
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If they're still around, go visit your grandparents. That's all. Just go do it if you can.
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