Chapter 15
October
[Stone]
Took a little detour. The leaves are changing. I love this time of year. Autumn always feels like entering a new season of life. Sounds a bit over philosophical, doesn’t it? Then again, I’m in my forties. Times are a changin’.
I landed another teaching opportunity with a group of kids near Detroit. Their excitement for art fuels me.
How about you? Performed any Superman heroics lately? Hope all is well and safe in Sterling Falls.
Trudy told me you raked up her leaves.
Thank you.
—Delilah
The postcard is more iconic, like she grabbed it at a visitor center or a truck stop. The image of autumn leaves in flaming orange, brilliant yellow, and rustic brown fills the space.
A detour, she said. She’s evidently on a road trip in Michigan.
As I stare at the image, I’m curious why she has sent me a second postcard. The questions are endless. Is she only thinking of me because I’ve done something for her aunt? Or is she thinking of me? Does she, dare I wonder, miss me somehow?
I snort as I lean back in my office chair, the furniture on rollers squeaking as it strains under my weight. I should replace this old thing. I should change a lot of things, but one thing I wouldn’t change is the memory of her.
I don’t have a way to respond to her short letters. Perhaps that’s the point.
Maybe sending me these postcards keeps up the anonymity.
Samson and Delilah shared a night, not Stone and Taxi.