Autumn 0.6

0.6

The day seemed to drag on a bit. The leaves in the park were turning brown and the trees were getting even barer than they already were. Still that did not affect the squirrels; they would jump from limb to limb, run up and down the trees; it seemed they were quite happy.  There were still some Canada geese in the park, not as many as yesterday; I’m sure we will see more as they migrate south.

It was a cloudy day; it was time I met Emily at the café when I realized how late it was getting by the sun edging its way to the west.

She was sitting by the window; she waved at me motioning to come in, I accepted.

Hey there.
Hi thanks for coming. (She smiled)
(I smiled back) your welcome.

(Just then the maître d’ asked if I would like to order anything; Americano with room please. I said)

What is this all about if you don’t mind me asking?
Well, I’m not sure myself. (She paused) You ever have one of those feelings you can not ignore?
(I looked outside the window staring at the people walking by) Yeah I had one of those feelings this morning.
Oh? (She said in curiosity)
It’s nothing (I shrugged off the topic… Then stared at her intently)

(“Here’s your Americano sir” the maître d’ broke my attention from Emily. Thanks.)

(She let out a sigh) I guess I should be straight forward… I really don’t know how to put this.
Take your time; I’m sure I’ll understand.
There is something about you that turns my stomach into butterflies every time I’m near you, I don’t understand this feeling.
Yeah, I kind of get the same feeling also… Every time I stare into your eyes.
(She blushed) So what do we do?
Let’s take it slow, Right now isn’t a good time for me, yesterday I found out my dad has cancer.
I’m so sorry, is there anything I can do?
No, I mean thanks, I’m still unsure if it’s serious I will know soon though I hope.
I hope not. (She looked outside the window)
Would you like to have dinner with me tomorrow night?
I would love to, that would be great. Where did you have in mind? (Her voice was filled with enthusiasm)
The little Italian place down the street; about seven o’ clock?
That would be great.

We both stood, I left some change on the table to cover my drink, then we headed outside. She said she had to go down the street; I had to go the other way. She motioned for a hug, and I accepted gladly.

See you tomorrow!
Till then (I smiled and waved) Bye!

She walked off and I started to walk the other way, I turned to take another look back at her after just a moment. As I did it was as if she were fading away; and then she was gone.  (I blinked a couple times and rubbed my eyes) “My eyes must be playing tricks on me” I said.  Time I went home.

It was starting to get dark and cold now; the old fashioned street lights lit the sidewalk in a warm yellow tone; most of them were decorated with wreaths made of autumn colored leaves.  Pretty soon we will have Christmas lights going up I thought.

What a wonderful season.

Autumn 0.5.5

0.5.5

The Hospital

The morning was just as bitter as the day before, frost covered the windshields of every vehicle I walked by. It was only a matter of time before the suns light started to melt away what Jack Frost has done. (Funny I thought; my name is Jack) … This morning’s walk was not the same; I just hoped there was still time left… I wondered if he even cared.

The hospitals lobby was quiet, to my right was a waiting room; it had only a handful of people sleeping, none seemed to need any medical attention. To my left was a coffee pot, I decided to grab a cup before heading to the receptionists desk.

Excuse me, which room is Father Jasper in?
Are you friend or family?
Family (as I said nearly choking on the coffee)
he is in room 208, it’s just up the hall.

I said thanks then started to walk away; as I did I noticed someone in the waiting room staring at me. I paid no attention, a few moments later I finally reached the room.  I knocked on the door lightly then went in. There was an empty chair at the other end of the room, Father Jasper was lying asleep; I decided to sit for a while.

About half an hour passed, a nurse came in turning on the lights.
Time for your morning Med’s

I just sat there and watched as she woke father jasper; she told him she would return in a few minutes.

What are you doing here?
Nice seeing you too dad.
So I guess you heard the news then?
Obviously, I just love visiting hospitals you know.
(He threw in a chuckle) yeah right.
Dad, it’s been nearly… (He cut me off)
I know it’s been a long time, and I let my pride get in the way.
(I sat silent)
There is too much to say, and I just want to say I’m sorry… I want you to come over for thanksgiving. It would mean a lot to me.
(I was dumbfounded) I’ll come

Just then the nurse came in again.
Alright mister, out you go, visiting time is over.

I’ll stop by your house sometime this week, will you be home?
(The nurse interjected) He’ll be ready to go by tomorrow.
I’ll see you then jack.

 

I walked out of the room, passed the lobby & waiting room; everyone was still asleep.  I decided that I would walk to the park and think for a while.

Autumn 0.5

0.5
No news is good news on Monday.

The walk today took longer than usual getting to the park; I was in deep thought about the events of the past few days. My stomach became uneasy and as I passed the coffee stand I thought to my self “First time for everything”

Canada geese littered the park, there seemed to be hundreds. I sat on the bench; the light from the sun had already melted the layer of frost and made it bearable to sit on. I brought out my sketch pad and pencil I usually keep in my coat for a rainy day and started to sketch what I saw.

A few people passed by staring at my pad; if I was looking up I would give a warm smile accepting their curiosity. One couple stopped and asked if they could take a better look at what I was sketching. They smiled and said it was great, then went on about how one of their cousins owns an art gallery in town and that if I do more professional work they do consignment. I noted that I mostly sketch as a hobby but would keep it in mind.  They smiled and said goodbye. I waved.

It was still a bit chilly; bearable however you still needed your coat to stay warm. I decided to walk to the stand and grab a cup of coffee. Not many people have walked through the park, leaves rustled under my feet as I went down the path to the stand.

Good day’ Evan.
G’d mornin’ jack, And how ar you doin’ today?
Fine, Fine, thanks for askin. ( I threw a half hearted smile at him)
(Evan leaned closer to me as my attention was off on a news paper)
Have ye heard the news?
News?
About Father Jasper?
(I laughed) Not one of those jokes again eh Evan?
Noo! This es serious!, Ar you sure you don know?
Know what?… what is it Evan?
(Evan looked around making sure nobody was close enough to hear)
The Father as’ cancer, he’s in de hospital. Went in dis mornin’.

I was silent. I’m assuming by the look of Evan’s face that I turned a ghostly white. I nodded in thanks and walked off.

Autumn 0.4

0.4
The Study

I opened the letter, it read;

“Jack,
I’m sorry to write you like this, I had every intention of meeting you today and talking more. However, something has come up that requires a lot of my time to be used.
You are probably wondering what all this is about… the letters, my assistant showing up instead of me… Well to be quite honest, I don’t really know why I’m doing this, I just feel that I must.

There is a café close to the park, I’m sure you know it. It’s on the corner of Evergreen & Old church, if you would like to meet me there next Tuesday evening for a cup of coffee and conversation, I will be waiting.

Emily”

I felt concerned. I was not sure what was going on in Emily’s life, but I knew something was not right. She was a beautiful young woman right around my age from what I could tell, and I could say I was some what attracted to her. And then the question, why me?

I folded the letter and set it on my desk. “The past few days have been out of the ordinary” I thought to myself. However if something is wrong, or even if she just needs someone to talk to… I’ll meet her Tuesday and find out.

Autumn 0.3

0.3
The Messenger

I decided to walk to the park before the sunrise; I bought a cup of coffee from one of the stands while grabbing a paper on the way; it was still twilight.
The bench was covered in a thin frost and there seemed to be some fog in the distance. I sat on the paper then looked toward the horizon; it was half-light now, faint & diffused. Perfect I said.

It was a Sunday, there were sure to be the normal church crowd walking through after early service; mostly young couples take this detour to walk to the coffee stand & enjoy each others company while they talk about the pastors sermon.
I sat for a few hours; the sunrise was not as stunning as it usually was. Finally service ended and you could hear talking off in the distance. Couples and families walked through the park, some talking about lunch plans, others about the how the pastor is a wonderful man of God.

This morning’s sermon was about rekindling old relationships that might have gone bad, at least that’s what I gathered from everyone passing.
I decided that I would go home for a while and return this evening; the same time I met Emily. As I was getting up;

Excuse me Sir?

A younger woman who I have never seen before approached me.

Are you the person Emily met here at the bench?
Yes I am, is?… I was cut off.
Emily said that I needed to deliver this to you, that it was important.

The young woman handed me another letter, I looked down at it for a few seconds and when I looked back up she was gone. I was beginning to wonder what all this was about.
I stuffed the letter inside my coat and decided that it would be best opened at home in my study.

Autumn 0.2

0.2
Meeting
Everything was just the same; I sat on the cold bench and smiled as people passed by. I thought how awkward this might be for her, writing a letter to a compete stranger and then meeting him the next day.
I placed the letter off to my side and stared off into the distance.
A couple hours passed, I was watching a father throw a Frisbee to his son while a lab ran back and forth trying to catch it. It looked like they were out on a picnic; the mom was sitting on a blanket laughing.
A soft voice startled me and caught my attention. It said

Hi, I am Emily

I looked to my left; I tried to snap out of the silence and threw a welcoming smile. I cleared my throat and said:
Care to sit?

She smiled and sat down handing me one of the two cups she held in her hand. Its hot Cocoa she said.
I brought it up to my nose and took a deep breath in; you could still see the steam wisping away into the brisk air.

It’s my favorite, thank you

 

We sat in silence for a while; we were both smiling and sipping on our cocoa… I took this time to admire her beauty. Her eyes were the most interesting part about her; they were a warm hazel color& mesmerizing.

Amazing isn’t it?
I’m sorry?
The view
Ah yes, I love it, especially the sunset.

 

She went to ask me if the letter offended me in any way. I said no heartily & then asked why she didn’t just come up to me in the first place. She blushed and shied away as she said she wanted to make sure that it was ok, she did not want to invade my space. I looked her in the eyes, smiled and said:

not at all.

It was starting to get late and she apologized she did not come earlier, and then asked if she could visit me tomorrow. It would be my pleasure I said. We both stood, she motioned for a hug, I accepted. Till tomorrow she said as she walked away. I smiled and waved.

Autumn 0.1

0.1
The Letter

It’s a chilly autumn day, leaves of different colors are everywhere in sight. The park is filled with silence and smiles as couples pass by.
The bench beneath me is cold. The wind is picking up ever so slightly.
I sit here on this bench every day; people must think I’m crazy or something. But it’s something I have always done.
I looked to the west and watched the sun start to fade away. Rays of light shimmer through the old oak trees & the temperature starts to fall; its time I headed home.
The next day a letter was on the bench, it was un-addressed; the only thing is said was “To the Gentleman who always sits here” It read:

“Hello, you do not know me, and I do not know you. I have seen you sit here alone on that particular bench for a very long time now. I can’t help but wonder why.
My name is Emily; I walk through this park regularly, mostly because it’s beautiful, and quiet. It is a great place to meditate, especially this time of year.
I would feel wrong to just go up to you and start a conversation, however, as out of place as this letter is to you, if you would like to meet, Simply keep this letter with you in plain sight next time when you are on your bench and I will introduce myself formally. Regards, Emily”

I was curious to why someone would write me. I decided that I would take a risk tomorrow and meet.
I finished the evening thinking about the letter while watching the squirrels play in the leaves. The sun settled again in the west, and the night air filled my lung’s.

Hello world!

Hi all!

This page is dedicated to my Autumn Series, I hope to bring joy, suspense & romance into this short story, and who knows where it will go.

If you like it spread the word, feel free to comment and leave feedback. I also encourage readers to leave ideas and thoughts in the story to come.