The Climb

The young man reached down to help the old man to his feet. They’d been taking more and more breaks recently. “Come on. We need to keep moving.”

The old man smiled and leaned back against the boulder. “No, kid. You go on ahead. I think I’ll just… enjoy the view.”

“What?”

“I’m just about done. I think… I think this is as far as I get.” The old man grinned crookedly. “Oh, don’t give me that look. You know I’m right. I’ve bene slowing down more and more lately, and I can’t get going the way ...