By Leon Kortenkamp
Mr. Dirkson shuffles by the cubicles, mumbling, “Yes, indeed,” under his breath every few steps. It is his usual mid-morning rounder; he will make another in the mid-afternoon. “Yes, indeed,” is his current repeated affirmation of choice. I remember some time back it was, “Well, all right.”
He wears dark glasses and keeps the overhead lights dimmed. It has to do with bright lights and headaches. I seldom see anyone leave his or her cubicle to address him on his passage. If it happens, he pauses and gives his attention to the greeting or inquiry, but availability is not his intention as he passes among the cubicles; he delegates all that to Ms. Qureshi, his office manager.
Some of the new hires make jokes: “Mr. Dirkson, can I have a 50% raise?” Looking down and shuffling, one of them answers, “Yes, indeed.” The jokes are not mean-spirited; they are just workplace humor, but I find them offensive just the same, and do what I can to stop them.
I’ve been with the company long enough to know some of the backstory. Mr. Dirkson’s repeated, seemingly mindless, affirmations are not addressed to the employees. They are personal reflections on the reality that something in his life is working out. Incantations to counter an undertow of pervasive dark memories of a house fire, a funeral with one large coffin and three small ones, and months in the burn ward with his sole surviving daughter, the whole time blaming himself for being away on a sales trip.
This morning, he stops for a moment outside my cubicle. Noticing, I greet him. He smiles, and says, “Brewer, take a look at this,” as he holds out a newspaper clipping. The headline reads: “Cindy Dirkson Takes First Place in Swim Meet” and features her, still partially scarred, smiling face.
I study the clipping. Handing it back to Mr. Dirkson, I say, “Well, all right! Please extend my congratulations to Cindy. Will you do that, sir?”
He smiles; a tear appears below his dark glasses and courses down his cheek. With a series of polite nods, each punctuated with “Yes indeed,” he turns and continues his rounds.
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A sad and wonderful story.
Thank you, Paul. I deeply identified with your poem, “My Creek,” in Young Ravens Literary Review. Excellent work!
All the best,
Leon
Yes, indeed. The backstory makes all the difference. A wonderful story.
Wow. Beautifully executed zinger. Memorable for all the best reasons.
Full of heart and beautifully done. Looking forward to more, Leon!
Thank you, M.C. I have been moved by your fine work, and I am deeply encouraged by your kind words.
All the best,
Leon
Just what everyone else has said. Heartfelt story.
Great story, yes indeed.
Wonderful. A very well-written and heart-warming story. Loved the characterization, and the way you brought out the motivation behind Mr. Dirkson’s behavior. Great job, Leon!
Unpretentious, subtle and well crafted.
I hope the author and magazine do not mind that I am showing this to my students in my Intro to Literature class. I am illustrating for them the writer’s art, how important adjectives, character and dialogue are to a story, and the contours of plot. I also think they will like this quite a bit. Nicely done, Mr. Kortenkamp.
Hi Russ. Thank you for your kind words. I am an educator also, and as far as I am concerned, I would be honored to have you include my story in your Intro to Literature class.
All the best,
Leon
Poignant. Validates that everyone has a story, some a tragic one.
Beautiful, touching, sad, hopeful. Great read!
much enjoyed the sad tone throughout
The story reminded me of a quote from Paul Tillich, “All real living is meeting” [I and Thou (1923/1937)]. And, I might say, all real meeting is sharing. In spite of his sad backstory, Mr. Dirkson is still living/sharing. A very touching story.
Loved the story. So much thoughtful material packed into a short piece. Isn’t everyone a Mr. Dirkson to one degree or another?
This story by Leon Kortenkamp Affirmations. truly touchs ones heart, and reminds me to listen carefully to others for they too have a “story’ . Touching story!!