Time of day

 

He sat alone in the time of day he liked the best, the time between light and dark when things quieted down, and the hidden stars began to shine. He sat in a rocking chair he had made decades ago for his wife as she so loved to rock and knit sometimes by the light of a full moon. If he closed his eyes, he could see her plain as day in the chair wearing an apron covered with fruits. She was more of a talker than he was, but he was a good listener and spoke back at the appropriate times.  He missed her that he knew for sure. He rocked and thought about all the life that once called this place home. The few head of cattle and a horse or two over the years. Some chickens and a goat named Billy.  They were all for the kids who learned how to take care of them, and love them, an education not found in school learning. The kids are all grown now with kids of their own who love to come and visit this old place with its perfect hiding places and room to run like the wind without hitting a wall. The animals are long since gone except for old Blue who by his account must be about fifteen years old now. He doesn’t do much anymore but by golly he still tries to run down a bird but mostly gives up before even getting off the porch. He had a good life here by all accounts and someday when the rocker stops rocking, he will leave this house to find his place with his only true love. But not today and maybe not tomorrow because he still has stars to look at and enjoy the quiet of his favorite time of day.

Mike 2022