Story Twenty-Three

A week after her husband passed away,

Sammy appeared on the farm, 

desperately thin, filthy, 

and injured with what appeared to be 

several pellet gun wounds on one of his hind legs.

Johanna gently cleaned him, treated the wounds 

and slowly fed him by hand, 

coaxing health back into the sweet dog.

When Nella Mickle, 

from nearby Richmond Grove,

arrived with her nephew to 

reclaim her lost dog, Tanner, 

Johanna responded,

"You just try and take him, 

but I wouldn't advise it."

Frightened by the low, menacing growl,

Nella and her nephew left without the dog.

Johanna and her canine companion 

were rarely separate, 

sharing a mutual fierce loyalty 

just like she had shared with her husband, 

Samuel.

Story Twenty-Two

 Silvio was not alone in feeling relieved 

that his mother-in-law

did not attend the wedding,

claiming a convenient migraine.

He had witnessed the unrelenting criticism

aimed at Gina,

an attempt to undermine her confidence

and keep her single,

in the role of eventual caretaker.

He admired how nothing,

even the frequent maternal cruelty,

could suppress Gina's radiant joy.

His heart expanded when he saw his new wife

preparing plates of food

to be sent home to her mother.

This was the beginning 

of the greatest chapter in his life. 

Story Twenty-One

Milton's family was constantly reminding him of his bachelorhood, 

as if he wasn't painfully aware of his solitary life.

"You'll fall in love some day", 

they said at every family gathering,

always with the spirit of a mocking taunt.

They had no idea that he was in love 

and had been for several years.

He fell in love with Elaine 

shortly after she and her clarinet 

joined the community band 

that he directed on Monday evenings.

She was talented, smart and witty, 

and he looked forward to seeing her each week.

He sensed a spark of interest on her part, 

but his lack of confidence made him hesitate,

 and Elaine began to enjoy the company of Lawrence, 

the first trombonist.

After the last rehearsal, 

Elaine and Lawrence approached Milton 

asking if the community band might play 

at their upcoming Spring wedding.

Milton congratulated them, 

saying that of course the band would play.

He went home with the certainty 

that his life would always be a 

solitary one.