Chapter 18 - Thirty Years Returned
On the anniversary of Naelli’s arrival, Elias repaired the gate.
Again.
Naelli approached from behind.
“You repair that gate every year.”
“It keeps breaking.”
“Perhaps the carpenter is bad.”
Elias turned.
“Careful.”
She smiled.
Her hair now carried faint silver strands.
So did his.
They sat on the porch.
Two chairs had become three when Daniel joined them.
Then more chairs as friends and relatives visited.
Sheriff Burke arrived without invitation.
“I brought whiskey.”
“You're seventy,” Naelli said.
“So?”
“So the doctor told you not to drink.”
Burke handed the bottle to Elias.
“That's why I brought it for him.”
Laughter filled the porch.
At sunset, Daniel announced something.
He was getting married.
Elias nearly dropped his cup.
Naelli hugged him.
“To whom?” Elias demanded.
Daniel laughed.
“You've met her.”
“That doesn't answer the question.”
“You interrogated her for an hour.”
“I was being friendly.”
Naelli stared at him.
“You asked about her family's debts.”
“Important information.”
Daniel shook his head.
Later, when everyone had gone, Elias and Naelli walked to the gate.
“This is where you stood,” he said.
“I remember.”
“You looked terrible.”
“You were rude.”
“You already mentioned that.”
“I will continue mentioning it.”
Elias smiled.
Then grew serious.
“If I had sent you away…”
Naelli touched his face.
“But you didn't.”
One choice.
Opening one gate.
That had changed two lives.
Then a town.
Then a valley.
Elias kissed her forehead.
“I wish we'd had those thirty years.”
Naelli looked toward the creek.
“I used to wish that too.”
“And now?”
“Now I think wishing for another life makes us miss the one we have.”
Elias considered that.
“You're still smarter.”
“Yes.”
“You could pretend otherwise.”
“No.”
They walked home together.
But one final promise remained unfinished.
May you like
And the following spring, beneath the cottonwood where everything began, Elias would finally keep it.
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