The Ice Cream Shop

I walked into the small ice cream shop, it's bright lights and olden timey feel seemed to draw me like a moth to a flame. Well that's not the whole truth, it wasn't just the fact that I liked the look of such a place, it was more of what was inside. I love icecream, even in the dead of winter, and I was in love with the waitress. Yep, same girl and no matter what I did I couldn't stop thinking about going and getting ice cream. So as I walked into the cozy little establishment my gaze was drawn to the counter where she stood. She was helping someone else so I snuck in without her noticing and waited for her to take my order. It took a few moments for her to get to me. Her eyes lit up when she saw me, my heart fluttered and my lips turned up into a smile. She was beautiful, even with her hair up in a ponytail and a slightly flustered look flushing her cheeks. "What can I get you" she asked, her voice made my stomach do flips. " I'll have the..." "wait, wait, wait, let me guess. Double scoop cone of rocky road and mint chocolate chip." "how do you do that?" I asked, staring at her a bit astonished. "I pay attention, that's how. You always seem to get the same thing every time you come" She countered. It was true I do love my ice cream, but chocolate was my favorite. I smiled, "Makes sense." She scooped the delicious ice cream into a cone and handed it to me. Her hand brushed my hand and it felt as though I was shocked, for a split second my mind didn't work and I just froze. Realizing what just happened I covered up my brain burp by sitting down on a one of  the retro swivel stools that stood directly in front of the bar. The place seemed to have inexplicably emptied, leaving us alone, me eating an icecream cone and her finishing up the last things to close. We started to talk, we talked about everything, and before we knew it she shop was closed and we were standing out by her car. "Thanks for staying with me" she said, "My pleasure" I replied smiling. We embraced and the night ended. But what a great ending.

When She's Gone

Leaning back I looked up at the ceiling, a huge grin on my face. I could try to explain to you why I had such a weird look on my face, especially at this hour of the night, but the truth was I had no idea. Well I had a bit of an idea. I was thinking of her. Every time I do I get a warm rush though my body and I just can't stop smiling. We had just barely stopped talking, and it not like it was anything romantic or weird like that, a lot of it was just quoting movies to each other, but it was with her. Another warm feeling washed over me, adding vigor to my smile, I could tell that I was not going to get much sleep tonight. Then what felt like mere second had past when i found myself being awoke by the alarm. I rolled out of bed (which helps if your sleeping on the ground) and turned off the alarm. It just felt like a good day, like everything was falling into place. Then my phone buzzes, its a text. I pick it up and its from her. I open up the text and all it says is "good  morning :)". Like I said, a good day.

Who Heals a Doctor?

Who heals a doctor? When someone dedicates their lives to the healer’s art, to helping people, falls ill, who then heals them? These thought pulsed through my brain on the walk home. It was dark and gloomy to match my mood. I felt empty, alone, and just down. Thoughts of her kept running through my brain, while images of what could have been danced in front of my eyes, making every step I took shoot pain right to my heart. I looked back, her house grew slowly, painfully smaller, but, no, I just couldn’t. I felt like a zombie, tie and hair disheveled, walking at a slow and shuffling rhythm. Slow but steady the rain began to pound down. I looked up into the sky in despair, not even the light of the stars shone to give me comfort. Alone wet and thinking of her and how it would be too easy to ask for some company. The thought rotated slowly in my mind, replaying itself endlessly, ask her, ask her. But I continued my my journey home, every step leading me home, but drawing me farther from her. Who heals a doctor? For me, only her. 

The Game

"She said that she'd be here." I said under my breath as I got out of my car. I was dressed slightly casual in a tie and button up shirt, but nothing too tight and hair kinda messy, just the way I liked it. Fireworks went off in the night sky as I walked toward the game. I am admittedly an introvert, I don't do social. it's not like I'm not good at socializing, but like I said, I just don't. But she would be there, so I figured I would give it a shot. I got to the ticket office and paid my dues, a whole two bucks to watch something that I don't care for, but like before my reason is simple, her. In real life and not just in my head. But I was still kinda sceptical and not wanting to be weird I placed my self in a non conspicuous spot and messaged her asking for her whereabouts. "up the stairs, right when you walk in, can't miss it." was her reply. I hurried up the stairs and found her waiting near the top. Despite the awkwardness of the bleaches she still looked fabulous. Her hair was slightly curled and hung lightly around ther face and down her shoulders.  She saw me and waved me over, sending unseen sivers up my spine. I went and sat by her, and encountered a problem, I was sitting in behind an older couple and my leg and just not built for bleacher seating. So the entire time, I was strangely positioned, trying my best to look casual, but not not comfortable at all, such is the life of someone of my stature, long and lanky. Eventually the bleachers clear to the point where I could get comfortable and talk to those around me, to heck with the game. We talked about all sorts of things, and joked about the name of the other team, all to sound of cheering fans and sudden bursts of fireworks going off to mark the many touchdowns that were being made. Suddenly she stood and announced that she couldn't sit on such horribly uncomfortable metal seats for much longer and needed to get up and walk around, so I volunteered  to accompany her, I am a gentleman after all, what else could I do. So we got up and walked around, talking about many different things, nothing of consequence, but my heart was hanging on every single word. We made it out to her car, where she got her jacket, and we went back to the game. It ended, like most games do, but we had already headed over to the other side of the world for a dance. I convinced her to walk with me over, its the least she could to since she convinced me to come. We walked and talked, I entire time, I had a smile on my face, but my heart was calm, I had given up on trying and it seems to be working. We walked under the clock tower, our steps reverberated off the clod hard stone, adding ambient noise to our journey. We walked and walked, the trees swayed and the stars glimmered, but she was the only thing I really cared about. We were nearing the end of our journey, when from out of the darkness there came a figure, a figure I recognized, and it was a figure that did not leave for the rest of the night. But for some reason, I didn't care, as long as I could make her laugh I was happy. And I am smiling still to this day.

Blind

The continual shuffling of feet accompanied by the occasional bleat of a sheep or bray of a donkey added to the sadness that has plagued my heart since the day of my birth. Tears streaked my cheeks and fell down upon my my tattered and torn tunic. The material, rough and rugged, seemed to irritate me more than normal today. I felt around my hovel for my wooden cain, and finding it, I grasped the worn wood like I have held on to life for the last 18 years.  Struggling to my feet, I shuffled forward, one hand holding the cane in place, the other extended to do what my eye cannot. I brushed past the cloth that partially shielded me from the heat and into the bustling street. I tried to imagine how it all looked . The rolling carts, the yelling venders, all the people moving from here to there, their robes swishing the their haste, the priests, always passing speedley. I could always tell the difference from their footsteps, always so hurried and high-stepped. I walked closer, every step shooting pain up my leg. One more, I thought to myself, my feet moved slowly across the rough ground. Then suddenly my foot caught on something that did not move. I fell forward, I could feel the air rush past me as I descended toward the ground. I laid there, tears streaming down my dusty and dirty face. The ground was hard and cold. I lay there like a dead animal, no one was going to come and save me. I was alone, a reject. While wallowing in my self pity a firm hand grasped my shoulder and pulled me to my feet. Arms rapped around me, holding me tightly and giving me a feeling of security and love that I had never felt before. Warmth spread through my whole body. After a few moments the arms reliced me and then hand were placed on my eyes, wiping away my tears. I opened my eyes and saw a man looking down on me. I felt such a great love and light emanating from his face. I then blinked realizing that I could see. I stared at that loving face and the tears that welled up where not of sorrow, but of joy and immense gratitude. I wrapped my arms around him and in a husky whisper said over and over "Thank you."

The Woman in White part 3: Pulled

I found myself on a beach. The waves crashed endlessly upon the golden sand that sparkled in the moonlight. Looking down I saw my bare feet, a pair of tan short and a green plaid button up tee. Looking up I was her moving slowly toward me. We made eye contact and even from here I could see her stunning features, her deep eyes penetrating my very soul. Instinctively my stroll turned into a slow trot, then full out running. She mimicked my speed until we were a few paces from each other. I slowed and opened my arms. She ran into them and I enveloped her in a long embrace, twirling her around, her long white dress whipping in the wind. Stopping, we parted , but only an arms-length away. I stared down at the amazing woman before me, she stared at me, and she stared at me, sending shivers up my spine. She blinked and the waves slowly died and the world became silent. The only thing heard was the beating of our hearts. I slowly leaned down and she raised herself up. Our lips met in a silent embrace that no words can express neither time erase. Time stopped for a moment and all the world sighed. Then everything went terribly wrong. I felt an odd sensation within my chest like someone pulling me backward. We separated and I saw her being dragged by the same invisible force that held me bound. I began to struggle and twist, all the while reaching for her. But it was no use, for every step I took the force pulled me back three. She looked at me with a look of alarm, then she spoke one word: Help. I felt my back hit something hard and I woke up in my bed, alarmed and searching for something. My bed looked as though I had got in a fight, and the only think in my mind was her. Her face kept pulsating in my mind, each beat sending a shock straight to my heart, making me ferel like someone was punching me in the chest. I had to find her.

The Woman in White part 2: Its You

I found myself atop of a large rock, staring at miles of rolling, tree covered hills. The rock was surrounded my rocks of various sizes, all jutting out of the landscape like soldiers without a commander. I sat down, the green fungi cushioning the hard stone below me creating the perfect place to sit. I had no idea where I was, or what I was doing there, but it all seemed so familiar. I looked around at the beautiful green hills, rising out of the ground like lumps of bread dough, then took a deep breath in. The air was tinted with many colorful scents. I closed my eyes and tried to identify some of them. The smell of recent rain was the most prominent and brought a smile to my face. I love the rain, even the smell of it made me happy. "I was wondering when you were going to show up." The voice startled me and I jumped up, turning to face where the voice had come from. What I saw was even more supersizing then the voice itself. Th most beautiful woman I have ever seen sat in front of me. There she sat, her eyes sparkling in the sunlight and her long brown hair danced in the wind, occasionally brushing past her face. I stared at her in awe, she stared right back and then laughed. She stood up, reviling that she was wearing a long white dress, that fluttered ever so slightly every time she moved. She moved with such grace, every step she took made my heart flutter like the ends of her dress. "Its you." I said simply, she nodded in agreement and the sat, bringing me down with her. And there we sat, for what seemed like hours, just talking. Suddenly she stopped, she looked scared, like she was listening to something.  Then she looked me square in the eye and said, her tone serious "I have to go" Leaning forward she kissed me on the cheek and I awoke with a jolt.

The Woman in White

Sitting under a tree I leaned back and closed my eyes. The rough wood creating the perfect backrest and the pillowy grass creeping up my sides tickled my legs. A breeze drifted past, whispering in my ear secrets of days long gone, and bringing with it the smells of springtime. A moan emanated from the branches somewhere above my head, followed by creaking and the babble of leaves. I heard a small snap as one of them fell from its branch and floated down, brushing past my face, to land on the grass somewhere beside me. I smiled. I could feel the rays of sun breaking through the ever changing pattern above, to dance across my torso. Opening my eyes I could see the branches and leaves performing a methodical dance, swinging back and forth, swaying to some unheard melody. I turned my gaze to the scene before me. Rolling hills rose out of the ground, dotted with flowers. It seemed I was sitting under the only tree in miles. How odd. Then something caught my eye, more like someone, in the distance I saw a figure in all white whose long brown hair blew slightly in the wind. Even from this distance I could tell she was extremely beautiful, her dress fluttering in the wind. I started to raise up from where I was sitting when something rustled up in the tree above me and I woke up, in my bed, the image of the woman in white swirling through my mind.

The Walk

The trees whispered above us as we walked down a twisty dirt road that disappeared into the depths of the wood, adding mystery to our journey. I had my hands smashed into my pants pockets as I stared straight down at the puffs of dirt kicked up by our feet and then carried away by the small breeze blowing through. She walked beside me, her brown hair shifting with the wind, brushing past her face as she stared up at the trees, her eyes sparkling in the sunlight. "Your oftly quiet"she said, her face breaking into a smile. "your never quiet, whats up?" My stomach did a somersault and my heart fluttered inside my chest.  I looked over at her and them back at the ground, not knowing how to say it. "I realized something" I said finally, still looking at the ground. She nodded for me to go on. "I realized that I like someone, but I don't know how to tell them." Her face fell, as if contemplating every word. We walked a few feet in silence, the breeze whipping through the trees above our heads, creating a soft melody of twirling leaves and brushing branches. Suddenly she stopped. She looked me strait in the eye, her deep brown ones causing my heart and my stomach to switch places. Looking me in the eye, she grabbed my hand, and the world stopped spinning. I was left speechless and stunned, unable to move, then my heart took over and before I knew what I was doing I had leaned down and she had raised on her toes. We met like two ions hurtling toward each other in slow motion, but the explosion was much greater. We parted, she blushed and the world continued to spin once more. The only difference was my smiling face and her hand wrapped in mine.

Baking

Sunshine spilled through the partially misted over window, spreading its warm rays across the cracked and flour covered tile counter where lay a large mound of soft, freshly made, bread dough. Grabbing the mas I pinched off a large portion, setting it aside as I got out the cinnamon and sugar to make the bread just a little better. I heard the shuffle of slippered feet behind me and then two soft warm hands covered my eyes. A melodious voice sounded directly behind my head. "Guess who" the voice said. In one smooth motion I scooped her up into my arms and swung her around. That was the plan anyways. What really happened was much more complicated and ended with us both on the ground laughing our heads off. I got up, hopelessly trying to dust the flour from my fleece pajama pant, the same flour that now covers the half the small kitchen, and helped my still laughing wife to her feet. I then scooped her into my arms and swung her around. She giggled like a school girl and I could help but smile. It was the perfect start to the day.

Forgiveness

I am lost

the world it swirl

my vision’s dark

in blackness curls

my hopes, my dreams

are fading fast

and I must ask

if it will last

this hell in which

I trapped myself

to place my honor

on the shelf

but now I’m stuck

not much to do

but sit and wait

and think of you.

So listen close,

I plead and beg

for this unworthy voice

has said

a million times

these broken words

these empty tears

these hearts unstirred

So please, oh please

just hear me here

“I’m sorry”

Please just give me ear

The words are said

the tears are spilt

the heart is moved

and all the guilt

is washed away

in brilliant light

to see the day

and not the night

has in my soul

to spring anew

the hopes and love

that ounce it new

I am free

and more in debt

of One who called men

from the net

to come and follow

in his way

I follow him

I will obey

The Master’s call

to all the world

“Come be healed”

His arms unfurled

The Alley

I had no idea where I was going, or what I was going to do ounce there, but I did know that it was something important. Speeding up my walk to a brisk trot, I felt the urge to turn a sharp corner. Whipping around it, I could feel something hold me in place. I was in a small alleyway, its sides marked colorfully with very old graffiti and a chipped mural. The other end of the alley turned a sharp left and kept going, I couldn't see the out. There I stood, not knowing where I was or why I was there, but knowing that it was going to be big. I hurt footsteps coming toward me at a slow pace, as if they were not sure where to go. I decided to move in the direction of the sound. As I turned the corner I found myself face to face with a very beautiful woman. We both stopped and stared at each other. We stood there for quite some time, neither wishing to break the silence, then the words started pouring out of my mouth like water out of a faucet. Questions of who she was and why was she here burst forth. Realizing that she was talking and I should probably shut my mouth, I did just that. But the problem was that she had come to the same conclusion as I had and had promptly closed those beautiful rubies that made up her mouth. A moment of silence, then the same thing happened, we stopped talking and more silence. She giggled. I nodded my head, giving her the go ahead to talk. Blushing, she asked me in a sweet tone, that seemed to melt my heart who I was and what I was doing there. I gave my name, bending in a bow, and stated the obvious. "I truly have no idea why I'm here, I just... felt like I should be here." I said, slightly sheepish looking her straight in the eyes, then without much thought I asked "And you, why are you here" She turned away and then back, now slightly red in the face. "I'm...well you see...oh dear...ummm...well, you see I'm lost." she looked at me when she said the last part, sending shivers up my spine. I was awestruck, but only for a few seconds, then my tour guide instincts kicking in. "Well, where do you want to go" I said, sounding an awful lot like the Cheshire cat. She explained her situation, including that she was new to the area and had no idea where to go, she also explained that the direction that she was given weren't at all specific. I smiled and suddenly found that I knew where she needed to go. I grabbed her hand and explained that I knew just the place. She let her hand be taken and followed me down the alley and out into the city. We walked about two blocks and found where she wanted to go. "Oh thank you," she cried and standing on her tippy-toes gave me a kiss on the cheek, I watched in slo motion as she entered the store and left me, stunned, on the sidewalk. 

The House

The dusty road wounds through the mismatched houses, looking much like a great serpent. My companion and I trudged forward, each step creating a puff of dust that eventually landed upon our much worn, newly polished shoes. Turning to another battered door we both lift our hands to knock as if we had done this a million times (which we had). Simultaneously we struck the hard wood, creating almost a defining crash that echoed through the misshaped hovel. We shouted “Aloh!” announcing our presence to anyone who lives in this dismal place. We waited for what seemed like an eternity, and just when we were about to turn and go the door opened and two bright eyes shone at of the darkness inside the shade. Standing in the doorway was a little old lady; whose face would put a prune to shame and a smile that could light up a room. She only stood to my waist and wore a lightly colored dress that was almost as wrinkled as she was. Her mocha colored eyes peered through glasses the size of the bottom of coke bottles and also wore a slightly messy bun that was typical of an old lady. She looked up at us with a toothless smile and then muttered in broken English “come in boys, I have been expecting you.”

Walking through the doorway, my companion stooped to get across the threshold. We blinked from the darkness and dust that filled the air, I looked around the room. The furniture was not much, simple wooden crates surrounding a small coffee table whose history had been etched into the wood. Atop the table was a simple electric lantern, fighting the darkness, and adding to the dismal scene before us. Attached to the walls with various nails and tacks were pictures of Christ and family member that must have long since passed away. The small old woman moistened with one wrinkled hand for us to sit down. Gingerly placing our massive bodies upon the delicate looking crates, we began to converse with this small women that had invited us into her home. She spoke in the rapid succession of a practiced tongue in a voice that sounded weary with age. Her eyes peered out from behind he glasses, twinkling with wisdom. As the conversation slowed I asked her why she was expecting us. She paused, her lips turning up in a pensive smile. When she finally spoke her words were barely audible and shaking slightly. She began to explain to us how she had lost her only son to cancer this past week and she was now alone. Her eyes weld up with tears as she spoke of the anguish she felt, and how she cried unto the Lord for help. Pausing, she pulled a handkerchief from a hidden pocket and dabbed her eyes.  She then told us how God told her that tomorrow she would have answers. She was told to look for the boys in White shirts ties. Glancing over at my companion I realized that he was crying, my companion who is the size of a baby elephant was crying. Then I realized that I was too. Leaning forward, tears streaming down my face, I asked her, in a voice whose power surprised even me, “What would you like to know”?

The Mouse

The door screeched open, protesting the sudden movement.  Peering into the dusty, sad excuse for an apartment, we could see the wreckage from the last companions that had stayed there.  Wrappers, broken bits of plates and a lot of mismatched socks were strewn all over the dirty, unkempt floor. Steeping in, my companion and I couldn’t help laugh at the seemly impossible task ahead of us. The floor screamed with every step we took. Our feet carefully avoided the debris surrounding us as we shuffled toward the doorway that leads to our bedroom. We carried our baggage high above the floor, so that it wouldn’t touch the nasty floor.  Then we heard the most dreaded thing any missionaries could hear, the squeak of a mouse. Almost comically simulations, my companion and I turned toward the sound. Staring at a hole in the misshapen wall, we saw two beady eyes staring us down, daring us to make a move. Dropping our bags we just stared, not wanting to give up the high ground. Without warning, my companion rushes at the wall with a fury that surprised even me. His yells of anger ricocheted off the walls as he barreled toward the hole. With a great crash he slammed into the wall creating a man sized dent and scaring off the mouse. Turning to me, he gave a bull like grunt and stormed off into the room. I held in a snicker as I followed after him, both of us leaving our buttered suitcases behind.

The Anouncement

Stopping the car right in front of that old battered and timeworn mailbox I looked over at my beautiful fiance. "Are you ready?" I asked cracking a smile "It's a madhouse in there."
"Have you met my family?" She shot back, a smile also gracing her lips, I just smiled back, she had no idea. I leaned over and gave her a quick peck and then got out of the car. I took a deep breath of the crisp arizona air, mixed with so many smells of the winter months. Looking up and down the old street brought so many memories of hot days and cold nights. I sure have missed this old street. The giant oak stood mighty and bare in the the neighbor's yard. I smiled again, it was good to be home. Racing around the car I opened the passenger-side door with a quiet squeak. She gracefully stepped out and shivered from the cold. "I don't remember it being this cold." she moaned as I rapped my fingers in her's. We slowly walked down the icy sidewalk toward the front door, garnished in a hand crafted wreath. It made me happy to see the plastic covering wrapping half the porch in a nice toasty hug and the wooden trees that stood as sentinels, guarding the the entryway. As I lifted my hand to knock the door swung open revealing my my father. He smiled and extended his hand for a handshake, his eyes twinkling. I walked right past the hand and enveloped my father in a huge bearhug. He wrapped his twig-like arms around me. " How you doin' Dad?" I asked when we separated. "Not now, you haven't introduced us" he said waving me off and turning to my fiance. But our conversation was cut short by someone small and pink running around the corner yelling "Bonpa!" Almost instinctively  my father bent down on one knee and extended his arms toward the little Munchkin. She ran right into those slender arms and wrapped her tiny ones around his neck, curly hair bouncing as she went. He lifted her to eye level and turned toward us. "I'd like you to meet your new aunt" my father said, flashing a mischievous smile and motioning to my bride to be. She blushed at the attention. "Dad" I cried, slightly taken aback but loving the exchange just the same. Without another word he turned and stowed away with the most ridiculous grin on his face. I looked down at my re faced fiance and had to smile. Taking her by the hand I guided her on what my Dad would call the 10 cent tour. The Christmas tree gleamed with multicolored lights taking turns glowing and then disappearing among the greenery. Ornaments sparkled for their yearly debut and everything seemed to be placed exactly where it was by some external grand architect. Beneath the tree stood an ever-growing pile of presents that seemed to call my name. Showing my fiance to her sleeping quarters, which so happened to be my old bedroom, brought back memories of anxiously waiting for my opportunity to open my presents. I was pulled out of my revelry by my mothers voice calling us all to the large dinner table laden with the most delicious array of food ever displayed. The Aroma wafting through the house was intoxicating and only grew in strength as we neared the kitchen. Rushing to my normal place at the table, I bobbed and weaved through limbs of various lengths pulling my helpless but laughing fiance behind me. I slid onto the small brown bench, the history of countless meals and art projects etched in its surface. Scooting as far as I could over, my lovely bride-to-be slid in beside me and then placed her fingers between mine. I gave her hand a squeeze and then we waited for the opportune moment to declare for a fact what everyone at the table already suspected. With everyone finally seated and a prayer said, the conversations commenced in boisterous tones. My fiance and I sat in silence, except for when directly asked questions, anticipating the moment for the conversation to lul. That time came and I arose with my glass of sparkling cider in hand. " A toast." I cried, looking down the table to my father who was balancing a toddler on one knee and entertaining another that was perched upon a highchair. He smiled at me and nodded his head, guessing what I was about to do and giving his approval. I cleared my throat and then said in a clear voice "a toast to my beautiful bride to be" a burst of sound erupted from the table as one by one my family lifted their glasses. I smiled and then took a long drink.

I'm Back

I stopped the car, leaving me in silence. I just stared out the window, my heart beating in my chest making it hard to ignore. I was nervous. I was nervous because I hadn't seen her for two years. Two very long years. I had changed tremendously, and I imagine that so had she. I took a deep breath in and opened the door. Shutting it with a click I hurried to her front door. my footsteps adding rhythm to the beat of my heart. it wasn't a very long path to the door, I probably traversed it in four steps, but it felt like a hike of a million miles. I got there and rang the doorbell. I heard shuffling behind on the other side, then jiggle of the handle. I watched the doorknob turn in slow motion. When  the door swung open I saw her standing there. It took a few second for to register what was happening, but then her face into a huge smile. "I'm back" I said simply. Then without another word I moved forward, enveloping her in my arms. We stood there for quite a long time, but our reunion was cut short by her father, he came around the corner with the question of who on his lips, but when he saw us he just smiled and nodded his head. We separated and I smiled down at her, she looked up at me with a face that asked so now what. "Sir, can I kidnap your daughter for a couple of hours?" He just nodded his head again, so I took her hand and lead her out to the car. We were going to have a fun time.