Book of Time XI

"Do you have children?"
Delaney asked the woman
hosting her and Will.
Her husband prepared supper
in their humble bungalow.

The woman answered,
"Yes, our son Burlock travels
this time of the year.
We miss him when he's not here,
but I'll tell you a secret."

Delaney sat down,
"Well, sit with me and do tell!"
William offered
the man kitchen company,
extending a friendly hand.

"I apologize,
you have been so generous.
Where are my manners?
I'm Will. Delaney's my wife."
The man shook his hand.

"It's our pleasure, Will,
we're just glad you two are fine.
That was quite a wreck."
The woman called out, "Adam
Joseph!" He tensed, "Evelyn?"

To the reaper's call,
Adam passed the chef's mantle
onto William.
Adam answered his summons,
finding Evelyn crying.

Delaney held her
as Adam asked, "What happened?"
Evelyn replied,
"It's them. These two saved our son!"
Adam said, "It's been too long."

William listened
to see how Delaney would
recall the events
of that South Carolina
forest fire. The day they met.

Richard Auriga
Nassau County, NY