The Tractor Fan
Everybody on the town knew one factor about Tom.
He completely liked tractors.
As just a little boy, whereas different youngsters dreamed about sports activities automobiles and race tracks, Tom collected toy tractors. His bed room partitions have been lined with posters of the most recent John Deere fashions, and household holidays have been by no means spent at seashores or amusement parks—they have been spent at agricultural exhibits.
As he obtained older, nothing modified.
His ardour solely grew stronger.
When he obtained married, he even insisted that he and his bride arrive on the ceremony in fantastically adorned tractors as a substitute of luxurious automobiles.
For his or her honeymoon, they visited one other agricultural present, the place an previous salesman who had recognized Tom for years supplied him the prospect to drive the most recent tractor across the fairgrounds together with his new spouse beside him.
It was one of many happiest moments of his life.
Sadly, it led to catastrophe.
After climbing off the tractor, Tom forgot to set the parking brake.
The machine slowly rolled ahead, knocking him to the bottom earlier than one of many huge rear wheels crushed him.
He survived…
…however solely after numerous surgical procedures, months within the hospital, and an extended, painful rehabilitation.
Mendacity in a hospital mattress for thus many months gave Tom loads of time to suppose.
He lastly admitted to himself that his lifelong obsession with tractors had introduced him way more ache than happiness.
When he lastly left the hospital, he promised himself he was completed with tractors ceaselessly.
The very first thing he wished was one thing easy—a steak pie and a chilly pint on the little pub throughout the road.
He ordered his meal, sat by the window, and quietly loved the sensation of being free once more.
Then out of the blue…
The kitchen door burst open.
Thick smoke poured into the pub, filling the room inside seconds.
Prospects jumped from their seats and rushed towards the exit.
Tom stayed completely calm.
He slowly stood up, opened the window beside his desk, took a deep breath of the smoky air…
…then blew it again outdoors.
He did it once more.
And once more.
Inside moments, the smoke had utterly cleared.
All the pub stared at him in disbelief.
Lastly, the bartender broke the silence.
“How on earth did you do this?”
Tom smiled, took one other sip of his beer, and mentioned,
“Straightforward…”
“I’m an ex tractor fan.”
