A Family Bond

Renaldo finds a connection.

A Family Bond

The door to Renaldo's air-conditioned office burst open.


"Boss! We've had an accident at the site. Workers are buried. We need to get there," Foreman Chumpsky insisted with a panicked face.


Renaldo couldn't believe it because he'd had a dream that some disaster would take place. He popped from his chair, grabbed his hard hat and followed the foreman out to his truck. It was a short drive, but Renaldo worried about who had been buried. His son was working that site today.


The foreman's vehicle kicked up plenty dirt as he skidded to stop near the cave's entrance. Both men rushed from the vehicle to check on progress of the rescue. Renaldo bumped into Clay, a long-time employee and asked, "Clay, is my son trapped in there?" It was immediately apparent by Clay's somber expression that it was true. Renaldo focused his attention back to the rescue.


The noise from the backhoe filled the area, and just the fact that a backhoe had to be used wasn't the best sign. As the work continued, Renaldo discovered the wooden bracing used to support the walls and ceiling had collapsed.


When the backhoe was no longer needed, the workers removed debris by hand, with both the foreman and Renaldo assisting. Everyone remained focused with little speaking.


After fifteen minutes, one of workers yelled "Wait! Stop! Be quiet." Renaldo chest rose and fell as he waited... and waited. "I hear them. We're close. Keep going!" Renaldo suppressed his joy until he heard his son's voice.


"We're through!" a worker announced to cheers. "Is everyone okay in there?" the worker called out. Silence fell. "Everyone's okay!" the worker announced to more cheers. Now Renaldo and his son had something to bond over since he'd been trapped in a cave before.