Inner Peace

An apple, core-bitten and rotting, lay at his feet.

Standing under the tree, he bent down, grabbing the half-eaten fruit, and throwing it into the far reaches of the yard. The guy kicks another one away from his path, and walks back to the porch.

Placing his hands in his jeans front pockets, he stares at the backyard with a contemplative look on his face.

He looks at the clock with a quizzical expression, and at his phone. The stillness in the air is a welcoming yet unexpected. The front door slams, startling the man. “Who’s there?”

“Yo.” The sophomore runs to his room, slamming his door shut.

“Do you mind entering more quietly?” The father hollered to the kid, now in the comfort of his bed, with his earbuds in, immersed in the contents of his phone.

Oreo, who had jolted when the teen came home, stood up, and went to the man, sitting down at his feet. He nuzzled the guy’s leg, and then laid his head on it, staring into his eyes.

He closed his eyes, and leaned his head back.

*******

“Honey, are you doing alright?”

I opened my eyes to see her sitting next to me, lightly brushing my face, and staring into my eyes.

“Are you hungry for dinner? We’re having roasted chicken tonight.”

Instantly, my mouth began to water. “You bet I am! Give me a minute, I’ll be there.” I sat up on the couch, and looked outside to the back porch. The flowers my wife planted just a couple months ago had begun to sprout, and the faster growing ones already had colors blooming.

I smiled, and walked over to my wife, as she was putting the mashed potatoes on the table.

“Save room for later…apple pie is for dessert!”

It just doesn’t get any better than this, I thought to myself. I shook my head in disbelief as I took my seat at the table.

And to think I almost lost it all. He closed his eyes, and sighed deeply.

*******