The Death Farmer
By Theresa C. Newbill
Part eight of nine
Alan Parker has an avocado salad for breakfast as well as a tall glass of vodka before heading out to the upper riverbank where he has planted a variety of flowers for the past year. It would seem a near impossibility for anything to grow there but the garden is rich and vibrant. It was the same riverbank where he noticed the first crescent moon as a child and felt the outrage of betrayal as an adult. He could almost smell the alcohol, and the idea that was still fresh in his head even after a year has passed. Alcohol allows a fire to grow undetected. Faulty wiring would appear on the report. That's it, faulty wiring.
As Alan starts his car he can swear he hears the hoot of a barn owl and dogs barking. There's a heightened sense of surrounding that was never present before. The humidity seems to be at an all time high yet the trees are lightly swaying over a cloudless sky, paying homage to God. The smell of vanilla permeates through the interior of the vehicle and Alan is lost within the scent. Suddenly a black cat appears on the roadway. It's Rowan. He swerves to avoid him. The car fishtails into an oncoming truck. Alan sees them, Kelly, Steve and Sarah, happily together in his line of vision as the car bursts into flames.
***
That same morning Father Oliviere awakens to the smell of roses, the smell of sanctity.
***
Old Clara awakens clutching the picture poppet of Kelly and Steve. On the one corner of the picture she notices a small orb that wasn't present before. Rowan looks up at her from the foot of her bed and meows. Old Clara feels the floating energy of peace.
***
Kevin awakens Mitchell with a pillow fight and lots of laughter.
"Promise you'll always take care of me big brother."
"I promise."
"Pinky swear?"
"Pinky swear."
"Are we going to see your grandma today?"
"Hush with that. You said you'd never tell."
"Well, are we?"
"Yes, we are."
"Dork!"
"Fool!"
The playful pillow fight continues.
***
Floating in the river is a white cloth that holds two wedding rings that are visible as the rag begins to unravel.
- - -
Theresa C. Newbill is a is a self described free spirit and former elementary school teacher turned writer. Her work has been widely published in various print and online magazines and she has received numerous awards for her writing.
By Theresa C. Newbill
Part eight of nine
Alan Parker has an avocado salad for breakfast as well as a tall glass of vodka before heading out to the upper riverbank where he has planted a variety of flowers for the past year. It would seem a near impossibility for anything to grow there but the garden is rich and vibrant. It was the same riverbank where he noticed the first crescent moon as a child and felt the outrage of betrayal as an adult. He could almost smell the alcohol, and the idea that was still fresh in his head even after a year has passed. Alcohol allows a fire to grow undetected. Faulty wiring would appear on the report. That's it, faulty wiring.
As Alan starts his car he can swear he hears the hoot of a barn owl and dogs barking. There's a heightened sense of surrounding that was never present before. The humidity seems to be at an all time high yet the trees are lightly swaying over a cloudless sky, paying homage to God. The smell of vanilla permeates through the interior of the vehicle and Alan is lost within the scent. Suddenly a black cat appears on the roadway. It's Rowan. He swerves to avoid him. The car fishtails into an oncoming truck. Alan sees them, Kelly, Steve and Sarah, happily together in his line of vision as the car bursts into flames.
***
That same morning Father Oliviere awakens to the smell of roses, the smell of sanctity.
***
Old Clara awakens clutching the picture poppet of Kelly and Steve. On the one corner of the picture she notices a small orb that wasn't present before. Rowan looks up at her from the foot of her bed and meows. Old Clara feels the floating energy of peace.
***
Kevin awakens Mitchell with a pillow fight and lots of laughter.
"Promise you'll always take care of me big brother."
"I promise."
"Pinky swear?"
"Pinky swear."
"Are we going to see your grandma today?"
"Hush with that. You said you'd never tell."
"Well, are we?"
"Yes, we are."
"Dork!"
"Fool!"
The playful pillow fight continues.
***
Floating in the river is a white cloth that holds two wedding rings that are visible as the rag begins to unravel.
- - -
Theresa C. Newbill is a is a self described free spirit and former elementary school teacher turned writer. Her work has been widely published in various print and online magazines and she has received numerous awards for her writing.
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