A Story by Leo Gonzales

Image: Untitled by Leo Gonzales

I. An afternoon nap brings open eyes, a blue soldier is in the bedroom. No weapons, layered orange light makes him fade. A half dream. The walls are opened up and there is a different smell. The dust is on the floor and the workers will arrive tomorrow morning. Guidance tells the young couple to stay in a hotel while work is done.

II. At the hotel, the sound of ducks are outside. The building is older than the house. Coffee and beignets are outside where the pond is. The city is still anew and the automobile is there. A path circles the pond, and there are pine ferns that cover gravel. A wardrobe change into nice clothes makes it feel like a vacation.

III. Drives slowly down the main road—brick stone alleyways, parallel driving. In one alleyway, a man sits Indian style with light bugs around him. They glow in and out, and she wants to go to the water, and they sit in the grass and watch. The ducks follow each other and building lights are in the current after.

IV. The walls are put up when they arrive home. Stones with wind, a place to rest. The workers wait outside while they deliberate on if anything else needs to be worked on. They pay the workers with their blessing; with love. Sweeping brings a tearful scent.

V. In morning light, they awake on the floor. After moving objects in, piano notes move over remaining dust. A new sheet of music is purchased at the general store. She circles the rack and finds a sheet that makes her happy. They move each object back inside and he starts to lay bricks.

This work was featured in issue #11