Tree Top Down: Chapter One
The Old Man and the Tree
Admittedly, in my more reflective moments, I’ve been known to consider myself the center of the universe. But, who hasn’t? Perhaps doing so is overcompensation for a modest upbringing in the Great Plains of the United States of America, specifically the quiet, modest metropolis of Wichita, Kansas, planet Earth, Universe FR873BQ9U23, circa the latter half of the 20th Century.
And not even Wichita proper, but rather a somewhat rural area on the outskirts of the city, an area known as Riverview, an area beyond the city limits. It wasn’t exactly a suburb or even a small town, just an area. An area with a handful of houses, a small grade school, a fire station down the street, and a little store with a soda fountain and pinball machines.
Not exactly the center of the universe.
So, perhaps I over compensate.
Ironically, I’m not even the central character in this story. In fact, I’m not really much involved in this particular layer of the multiverse space-time continuum. Granted I officially show up near the end (chapter Thirty-Four to be precise) and I have a pivotal role to play in the plot development. But for now I’m happy to act as the narrator of this tale. Doing so gives me a chance to catch up on other activities. The burdens of being the central character are enormous and I have places to go, creatures to see, things to do.
No, this story is not about me, but rather about an elderly man, an elderly man apparently nearing the end of his life—a life that had been long and eventful. Yet more events remain before his existence in the space-time continuum reaches its denouement. While he has a name, it’s best if I keep that information to myself—for now. Call him the ‘old man.’
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