The Silent Teacher
Who may or may not still be alive
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“I finally found you.”
The old man turned off the nozzle of the hose he was using to water a small tree sapling. Turning around only slightly, he said softly, “Excuse me.”
Evan swallowed, “Uh… You’re Lucas Winslow, right?”
The old man turned completely towards Evan, “You’ve got the wrong person. I don’t know anyone with that name around here. I suggest you get off my property and go look elsewhere.”
“My name is Evan Ruggles. I’ve been searching for you for the last three months. You completely and utterly changed my life. There are rumors on the internet that you died a couple of years ago but I didn’t believe it. I just had to track you down so that I could thank you.”
The old man rolled his eyes.
“Your writings deeply impacted my life and I thank you for that from the bottom of my heart. But I still have so many questions. I was wondering if I could talk to you for just a little bit. I’ve driven almost two thousand miles to find you.”
The old man dropped the hose, “Listen fella, no one can change you. Only you can!” He pointed at Evan’s chest. “Now I suggest you get in your car, turn around, and drive two thousand miles back home. That’s where all your answers are.”
Evan smiled. He now knew that it was indeed Lucas Winslow that he had finally found.
“Mr. Winslow I truly apologize for bothering you. I’m really sorry but it would mean so, so, so much to me if I could just have ten minutes of your time. That’s all. Then I’ll go. I’m… uh… willing to pay you for your time.”
“Are you calling me a whore?”
“What? No! Oh God no. No. No, sir. I… I just… it’s just that it would mean so much to me. I learned so much from your spiritual teachings as did many others. Please. Just ten minutes of your time.”
“Am I going to have to call the cops?”
“No! Uh… okay, I’ll make you a deal. If you will answer just one question of mine then I promise I will immediately leave. Okay?”
The old man crossed his arms, “Okay, but let’s get this straight. I am NOT Lucas Winslow! I’m just an old fart working in an…
