The Sunday Fire burned over 1200 acres the first week. The park's bison herd was moved north by way of a dozen local ranchers figuring out a safe passage across their grazing land. Most of the town's folks stayed put. For now.
Dixon and Charlotte in the evening set their lawn chairs in the bed of the pickup and watched the flames above the main ridge about two miles from their small farm. The kids were staying with her parents until an all-clear was issued.
Charlotte looked up at the sky. "Think it will ever rain, Dix?"
"Ever? Ever's a long time."
"You know what I mean."
"If you mean to put out the fire, no."
"That too."
"Sure, it will rain. Just don't know when. You think the kids are okay?"
"They're living in the pool and eating junk all day long. They're good."
"I wonder if your dad's living in the shop."
"Most likely."
They sipped on their beers.
"Tell me a love story, Dix."
"A love story?"
"Yes, Dix. A love story."
"Jesus, Char. A love story. You know how they go."
"How's that?"
"They go the same. There's the beginning, then a middle, and then the end."
"Just like that?"
"Yep, just like that."
"Just like that."
"Yep, but they're all different too."
"Tell me."
"Some run hot longer than others. Some go cold quicker than others. Hard to predict."
"You need something to eat?"
"No, not now. Maybe a sandwich later."
"Tell me more, Dix."
"Oh, I don't know. I think a good long run in the middle, that's about the best. And then a quick end I guess."
"Do you know a love story like that?"
"Mom and Dad pretty much went like that."
"You think they ran hot at first?"
"Guess so. I mean, then, sixty-four years, and then Dad's cancer was quick."
"Look at the sky, all orangey. So they were happy?"
"Far as I know."
"So, it was a good love story."
"I think so, mostly."
"Are we going to get burned out, Dix?"
"Not if the wind stays from the southwest. Not if it holds that way."
"Then we're good here?"
"Yep, think so. Think we're going to be okay."
"I'll drink to that, Dix."
Lyman 2024
No comments:
Post a Comment