Severed Ties

As he walked away from the house the sound of the door latch reverberated into the dusk light. The deadlock was turned and the porch light flicked off. He turned round to get one last glimpse of the place, striving to remember the good times. Although Tim realized it was finished, his heart raced on. The hot blood pumped through his body, delivering what was left of the adrenaline to his extremities. He shuddered and turned his back for good.

“Life’s a bitch” he said to himself as he stuffed his sweaty palms into the pockets of his jeans.

He felt like walking but he knew he didn’t want to return for his car. He stabbed the car door with his key, hopped in, and started the engine. He had driven there alone, but somehow the soft blue interior of the car seemed more solitary than ever before. He drew in a breath of the stale air and drove away.

Tim’s rational thought chased it’s tail inside his head.
He found himself driving down a coastal road. The trees were tall and thick. Their fragrance was pleasant. The sunshine percolated through the boughs just enough to know that the sun had not yet set. The ethereal rays wove a blanket that enveloped him. The car effortlessly maneuvered a corner. Suddenly he was surprised by a completely obstructed road. In his lane was a small boy. In the other, a spotted fawn. Even though it was less than momentary, he later recollected the beautiful image. The boy was coaxing the fawn toward himself with a small apple, as green as a frog. Both were lost and helpless. Both having just begun life. Tim wrenched the wheel.

The dust was settling as Tim threw open the driver side door. The boy sat crying on the loose gravel. Tim slowly ambulated the line from he to the where the deer lie. He stood over the lifeless body for some minutes. He wept for the fawn. Even in death, it was beautiful.

Tim lifted his head off the steering wheel. The engine was running and the lights were on. He rubbed his eyes, swung open the door and walked into his home. He felt like he had left a piece of himself behind and his heart throbbed, but he was content