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by Aaron Baird

A perpetual fog draped over the mountain.  It blurred the landscape, giving the plants that crawled up from the valley a dream-like aura. Nuzzled into the hillside was a wooden shack.  The slope on which it sat was too great for any tree thicker than a knuckle to grow.  The man sitting on the porch had an unobstructed view of the valley below. A boot hooked on the rail allowed him to lean back in his chair as he gazed down on a road that cut lazy switchbacks up the hill.  It had not been used in almost three years and was paying the price for the neglect.  Barren land had no business in a place like this.

The stick he had been whittling lie in a curly pile next to his foot. He knew he should go back inside, but his heart sank at the prospect. She had been giving him the silent treatment for almost a week, and the thought of eating another wordless meal made his body ache all over.  This siege had to end soon, and it was clear that she had no intention of surrendering.  He settled his chair with a clunk and went through the door.

The fireplace gave the only light.  As usual, she was sitting at the table with her shawl tightly bound around her shoulders.  This was her favorite position since Beth died.  Two years hadn't diminished the memory of laying her little body in the ground.  She couldn't get beyond the grief, blaming herself for God's work.  Sustaining all those tears had taken its toll.  He could see it in her face and hands.

He thought that maybe another child would ease the pain.  That's how the fight started.  She said that he was heartless and he said she was - no, he didn't want to think of what he said to her.  He had shouted at her, shouted things that were meant to hurt, and for the rest of his life he would never forgive himself for it.  But for her not to forgive him, well, that was a burden he simply could not bear.

"Can we talk?" he said in his meekest voice.  Her steely glare said more than any words ever could.  He sat down at the table and looked across into her eyes.  "Please, I'm tired, tired of living in the shadow of Death.  Tell me you forgive all the stupid things I said. Tell me you forgive me for shouting and making you faint.  Tell me you love me, please."  He raised her cold hand to his lips and whispered that he loved her.

He stood, pausing before heading out the door.  "When you're ready, I'll be waiting."