A Steady Situation, P 1

A crisp breeze rolled through the evergreen sward- like an ancient courier at a steady gait, carrying a parcel of blossom and sweet scent to the meandering foothills below, who had begun to send a timid envoy of skittish mountain flowers traipsing up the incline, as if a stream of water-lilies were climbing to meet it.

A corona of radiant yellow light cast its glow to the house perching upon the hillside, and its sprawling garden, in which a well-worn hand extended away from its work, shielding its owner from the day’s otherwise welcome revelation. He paused still, then continued. There was, as yet, much to keep and tend and he was not given to lament the maintenance of that which had long kept his focus, and had thrived.

The whistle of leaves crescendoing, a wave of heat began to accumulate, and a cart silently passed through the outcrop’s enveloping shadow. At a distance, a figure disembarked, and, screening her eyes, gazed at her abode’s white walls; through the time since she had rested in that place, and found solace in her quiet acumen.

Their gaze pierced through the mirage that had submerged them, and felt themselves start. He quit his task with care and she, sending for her bags, began to stride over. The weariness of their being worlds apart trickled out, and condensed into a dense embrace.

Stormclouds gathering, she took a moment to grasp the threshold, then ventured inside. She pored over all of the residing debris, and decorations that had built from their own addition, and from friends over the years. With the eye of an architect, she still saw room for improvement; nevertheless, she allowed herself to experience a profound and earnest sense of fondness emanating into those things that had become hers. Already the labour of her journey began to subside.