G: The Visit

The Visit

The man pushed through sheets of darkness like layers of drapes, and
the cold-stiff leaves crunched loudly, preventing him from getting
closer to the house without detection. He eased himself down at the
base of a tree, one that would give him a view through the living room
window. The too-small and threadbare coat he was wearing surrendered
against the onslaught of chill on this late fall night.
Yellow light emanating from the living room flickered like a movie
screen as people entered the room and moved about. The man could see
three individuals on the couch clearly. There was movement in the
kitchen; he turned, but could not discern the person.

Then the group on the couch rose and moved into the dinning room. Two
women brought food to the table. He stood and crept around the side of
the house where he could get a better view of the group, always taking
care to stay in the darkness.

The visitor could not hear their voices, but he could see the animation
of the group. The scene looked like a cheap painting to him. He
desperately wanted to go in. To shock them with horror of his
presence.

Suddenly, one of the younger men rose from the table and went into the
kitchen. He was standing at the sink rinsing out a glass. Lindsey crept
over to the little window, taking care not to disturb the shrubs, and
stood very close. As the young man turned, the visitor placed his hand
against the windowpane. Then his dirty face. He turned away from the
window and left just as he had come.

As the visitor receded from the yard, the night opened and welcomed him
back.

****

"Dannie, that was the best Thanksgiving dinner I can remember. Your
dressing is the best." Said the older of the men.

"Thanks, dad." Dannie said to her father-in-law.

"The only thing missing is Lindsey." Richard added.

"Yeah. I'd really like to see him." Said the younger of the men.

"I miss him so much." A statement from Lindsey's father.

The dining room was quiet for a few moments.

"Dad, are you ready for some pumpkin pie?" Dannie asked.