The Leaves Were on Fire

By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire. I thought back to the vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow that would dance as the wind blew shifting everything in its wake. This wasn’t a new occurrence, so I continued on my way. I tuned out the different shades focusing on the ground that was littered with more pale tones of browns as the dead leaves continued to flow downward. The rapid movement of the wind made me huddle closer in my coat, and soon my vision began to slightly blur as my focus shifted from the sidewalk to the strands of hair that dangled in front of my eyes and my collar which I moved up to cover my nose. 

“It wouldn’t have been so cold if it wasn't for that dang wind” I muttered to myself as I continued to walk. The wind slowly began to let up as time progressed. My mind began to wander as my destination drifted into view. The bag I carried by my side grew heavy in my arms. I wasn’t as strong as I once was. I wasn’t as young as I once was. I wasn’t who I once was. I drifted over to the bench. It was our spot. I closed my eyes as my thoughts began to swirl with old memories. 

“Darren, STOP eating all the cookie dough! Ugh, we need that for the dessert later tonight.” Carol’s voice hollered from the other room. I don’t know how she knew I was even there. I was stealth like a ninja, or at least I thought so at the time. However, no matter how stealthy I thought I was, she was always one step ahead of me.

“But Sweetheart, you let Jackson try some.” I tried to reason with her but to no avail.

“Jackson is four, you are a grown man. If you keep eating it I’ll make you get the store cookies.” Carol retorted.

“You’re using my weakness against me. You know I don’t like those evil little sugary dense-” I was cut off by the sound of her laughter. Oh, how much I loved that sound. It made me feel like I was doing something right. 

She walked into the kitchen and began to scoop out the cookies onto the pan. She looked so breathtaking. She looked nothing like the models in magazines or television, but she was stunning. I walked behind her and threw my arms around her waist, and laid my head on her shoulder moving her brown hair to one side.  

She began to ask me to move so she could put the cookies in, but when she began to turn around she saw the look in my eye.

“Is everything okay?” She asked. Concern began to crease her brow. 

“You look so beautiful tonight, and every day you make me fall in love with you again. I don’t know when I would be without you, and I don’t want to know.” I kissed her on the cheek, and we stayed like that for a minute. The oven beeped signaling that it was ready for the cookies, but we didn’t care. At that moment, when she had flour on her face and an apron over a simple red t-shirt and jeans she looked stunning. 

We continued to stay silent until a little four-year-old came crashing from behind a corner. His hair was a tangled mess of blonde curls and his shirt was on backward. I just laughed and allowed Carol to usher him into his room. I put the cookies in, set the timer, and sat on the counter as I waited for the guests to arrive. 

Once the night was over and Jackson was asleep, Carol and I bid adieu to the leaving guest. She turned me and said, “I just love the fall, it makes the trees look like they are on fire” She smiled to herself. At that moment, I knew. I knew I would do everything I could to never see her smile fade. 

I tried so hard to honor that promise. I really did try.

The bench was hard, and my hands were cold. The wind began to pick up again, and the leaves danced once more. A tall middle-aged man in a brown trench coat and blonde hair sat next to me. He draped his arms over the back of the bench and looked off into the distance. 

“Excuse me, sir?” I began to speak. “What do the trees look like?”

He turned to look at me and a sorrowful expression daunted his face, “They look like fire. The leaves are swaying in vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow.”

“ Carol said the same thing. Thank you, my eyes aren't what they used to be. My wife told me how they looked before, but I had an accident a while back, and I can’t see the colors” I saw a tear dip down the man’s face. “Sir is everything alright?

“I'm fine, I was reminded of someone who I miss dearly.” Silence followed. One moment felt like an eternity. 

“I’m sorry to hear that, do you want to talk about it?” I offered.

“You don’t want to hear another man’s issue. It’s a type of sorrow that one must hold on their own.” He tried to be stoic, but his eyes betrayed him. I remained silent, and after a while, he continued. “My father had a stroke a few months ago and was hospitalized. He-he can’t remember who I am, or who his grandchildren are. I love the man, but it pains me to see him like this. My mothe-” He took a deep breath, as tears began to freely pour. “I want him back. It wasn’t his fault what happened, and he didn’t take care of himself afterward.” Another pause followed and he collected himself. “I just miss my dad.”

I turned to him and wrapped my arms around him, and told him everything would be fine. “When I was younger, or at least what I remember is, things always had a way of turning out. Look at the leaves vibrant in color that have to fall so new ones can take their place. It's hard right now but things will get better.”

“Thank you.” was all the man muttered, in a whisper. I let go of the hug and we sat there in silence. 

Time passed and cars bustled around the streets. A woman walked up with the beginning of crow's feet around her eyes, and freckles adorning her face. She turned to the man beside me and began to speak in a soft yet firm tone, “Jackson, we have to get going. We made plans with the Winchesters tonight, and you promised we wouldn't be late this time. The children are in the car waiting for us.”

He smiled and turned to me, “Sir, I would like you to meet my wife. This is Vanessa.” She stuck her hand out to shake mine.

“I’m Darren. It's a pleasure to meet you, Vanessa. I understand you must get going, I’m sorry for keeping you waiting.” I nodded to the man beside me and he got up. We embraced for a hug, as we both hoped to not forget this day.

“ I'll see you around.” With that, the couple left waving goodbye. They walked along the sidewalk, his arm around her as they smiled and continued. 

“Carol, today I met a wonderful man. I think you would like him. He treats his wife with respect, and they seem happy. He reminded me of you. It’s a little strange, but I feel like I know him from somewhere.” I got up and began to walk home. Today the leaves were on fire, just like Carol said they were.