A Shortie: Number 5

Pete Baldwin slowed the rental car to a stop.  Reminders of his past surrounded and pressed him since he and his wife, Marsha, arrived.  They hadn’t been in Marshalltown, IA in over a decade but driving through the old neighborhood transported him to the old days more than any other sight or familiar face.  Seeing the house stirred emotions inside him. 

This was where they built a life together.  The tree they planted was huge now.  The branches were dangerously close to the roof.  The color of the house was different.  He was no decorator but he liked it.  Pete recalled the day they moved in. 

He turned to Marsha who had tears in her eyes.  She glanced at him and smiled as she wiped away a tear.  “A lot of memories in that house.” She said. 

“Yep.”  Pete turned to face the house and his past again.

The silence continued as each processed emotions and memories.  Marsha was seven months pregnant at the time and worked hard in spite of his reminders to take it easy.  It was so hot that day.  Her face was red and sweat dripped from everyone who helped in the moving process.  They were full of hopes and dreams but things were about to get difficult.  Pete sighed and mumbled, “A whole lifetime ago.”