The Watchmaker
Bernard sat down at his desk and flicked on the lamp. He loved watchmaking for its intricacies. His grandfather bought him his first watch for his eighth birthday. A thin leather wristwatch with slick silver dials. He wasn’t wearing it today.
Bernard’s parents used to tell him that he was born a tinkerer. They told him as a kid he would watch, mesmerised, as grandpa fiddled with springs and screws in his study. And, though Bernard didn’t believe the tales, his first word was said to have been “minute”.
Bernard cleared the table of clutter and slid over his current project. A light tin aroma escaped as he opened a new can of lubricant. He was putting the final touches on a small brass watch made for the wrist of a child. He counted three drops of oil, let it set and tested the gears. They turned smoothly like a skier rounding a corner. He fixed the bezel in place, set the correct time and polished the glass to a nice lustre.
Bernard looked over his work and smiled to himself. The feeling of mastery never palled. The watch glimmered under the softly lit lamp. The watch was carefully placed in a box with the clasp sealed tight over top.
Few customers came by anymore. Watches weren’t as popular now that everyone had one. Along with a calculator, calendar and a million other programs stored on a phone, there was no need for each individual gadget.
A ring alerted Bernard to someone entering the shop. A young girl and her mother walked toward him. Abigail and her daughter Jocelyn were practically regulars now.
“Hi, Bernard. Here for pickup,” the woman smiled.
“Here you are, Abby,” replied Bernard, gently passing the box over the counter top.
“Mommy can I look?” pleaded Jocelyn, barely able to contain her excitement.
“Okay, but it stays in the box until we’re home.”
Bernard watched the girl pry open the lid and peek inside. Her eyes lit up like candles, a smile grew across her face. “It’s beautiful,” she breathed, gaze glued to the shining metal.
“What do we say now, Joss?” reminded Abigale.
“Thank you, Mr. Bernard! This is awesome.”
“You’re very welcome,” he answered warmly.
They exchanged goodbyes and Bernard was alone once more. He didn’t feel alone though, quite the opposite, he felt fulfilled. Watches might get old, but people… people never get old.
406 words
Mar 19, 2020
all-stories