The Park

They arrived at the park. It wasn't where he expected to end up there. They walked around and talked about their dreams. She started to cry. He reached out to hold her. She hugged him and would not let go. He let her head rest on his shoulder. She stopped crying.

The Trip

He had to get away. The house seemed to be suffocating him. He packed his suitcase and got in his truck. He did not know where he was going. He drove through town. He say the girl sitting on the street corner. He stopped. She looked up and smiled. Tears were rolling down her cheeks. She asked where he was going. He said he did not know. She asked to join. They drove away.

The Reconstruction

The sadness faded. Joy returned to his life. He had not thought of her. The house had to be repaired. He made the foundation of stone. The walls were three layers thick. The friend came by once again. He liked the house and stayed for a day.

The Depression

Depression set in. He was lonely. The girl had been the only person in town to give him the time of day. He knew she was the one. He had everything he needed. He wanted her. This kind of want was different for him. He drifted into deeper sadness. The house began to decay. Walls were falling in. He  felt the impending destruction. He cried.

The Dream

He awoke. Had it been real. The encounter had happened. It had not. He got up. Brewed his morning coffee.

The Encouter

She recognized him. He could not speak. She nodded as if she understood. He was embarrassed. She took his hand.

The Market

A mile to town. He walked. The market was first. He entered and saw the people. No one he knew. All strangers. Apples were on sale. Then the girl. She was across the way. He made his way to her. She disappeared. Maybe she wasn't really there. He turned around to leave. She was there.

The Dining Table

Walked into the dining room from the kitchen. The table was empty. No one to share a meal with. He sat at the head of the table. He would love to have a family dinner again. He felt the depression coming back. He had not felt this way since he left home. He needed to get out. Meet people. Make friends.

The Kitchen

Small. An oven was all. He baked bread. Ate tomato sandwiches. He thought while washing dishes. Coffee was done. He sat at the table and drank.

The Rocking Chair

The rocking chair. best seat on the porch. His father had made it. Gift for his mother.Oak wood. Straight back. Sturdy. Always helped rest a wearied soul.

The Harvest

Time for harvest. He would reap what he had sown. half diseased. Not good for eating. He would have to make do with what he had. He would plant next season.

The Porch

The porch wrapped around the house. The back was his favorite side. He would sit and gaze. Watch the field and admire his work. The day would pass. He went inside the house.

The Workshop

The workshop was near the house. He would escape to it during lonely times. It contain tools passed down from generations. Workbenches made by hand. Memories of days gone by rushed back. His dad had been a carpenter. His granddad a blacksmith. He did not posses the same skill. He started the project. Determined.

The Field

The field was behind the house. Big. More acres than he could use. Small portion for his own use. Worked it many days.He had planted enough to feed him for the rest of the year.

Why?

Why was it so hard? People need to understand. The house was an accomplishment. He was proud of it. No one liked it. The walls bowed when wet. It swayed in the wind. It suited him. A simple man. No need for more.

The Friend

The friend arrived. The friend was a long way from home. the friend did not like the house. It did not seem sturdy enough. He felt embarrassed. He had built the house by hand. It was his. The friend said goodbye. He was upset. The friend left.

The Girl

The girl was nice. She helped him get out of the house. She gave him inspiration. He began to rebuild. The wind seemed stronger with her around. He made the walls thicker. Foundation of clay. Storms would not destroy it.

The Storm

He was on the porch. Sat in the straight back chair. He looked across the yard. A storm was approaching. He retreated into the house. The wind picked up. It began to sway. Cards began to fall. Soon the was nothing left. He was trapped underneath the collapsed house. She helped him climb out. He began to rebuild.

The House

The house was finished. Straw used as the foundation. Cards from the last gamble used as the walls. It was stable, enough. The house shook in the wind. He worried if it would fall. "No", it would stand.