Architect of paradise (PART I: Out of the Ruins)

4. Return and adaptation

      The last time, I was here, it was five years ago. Nothing changed. When the mini bus left us in the beginning of the town, I realized that I really came back. The bus driver, Mr. Duncan was really eager to talk to me. He was always a friendly man. However, I was not in the mood for a little talk. I am curious to see, what would be their reaction, when they learn that I am not a police officer anymore.

    I start to walk with my mother to reach our home and to do that, I must walk inside the town. Everyone will see me and the gossip will get in fire. I look around. I am lucky that the most of them are working in the fields at the moment. Well, no everybody.

-"Mrs. Parker, you are back! Is this little Danny?"

-"Good morning, Mrs. Locust." My mother answers. I look at the woman. If I remember correctly, she was the main gossiper of the town. I laugh inside me. She is the appropriate person to inform the whole town about my arrival.

-"Danny boy, how are you? Did you come back?"

-"Nice to see you, Mrs. Locust. Yes, I came back."

-"Oh, goodness! What about your job?"

-"I was fired." Her face froze and I laugh inside me.

-"Daniel!!!" screams my mother but I left both of them and take the way to my house.

   I hate this place. I don't know why I came here again. It was better to stay back to Washington and find a job there. I put out a cigarette and light it up. I carry my sack on my shoulder and I look around. It really nothing changed.

-"You, handsome one! You are Daniel Parker, right?"

    I wrinkle my eyebrows. I turn my gaze at the female voice. Her face is familiar. After some thought, I recognize her.

-"You are Samantha Rives."

-"Of course, I am." She smiles widely.

-"You became really handsome, but you came back."

-"You are pretty yourself."

-"I would like to talk some time. Come to the cafeteria." She invites me. I smile at her and I continue my way.

     My house is also the same. Nothing changed. I take a deep breath and get inside. I walk to my room. It is clean and ready like it was waiting for me. I know that my mother was taking care of it in her wish that I would visit her some time. Then, I hear the door. She came.

-"I'm going to cook now." She just says and goes to the kitchen.

I lay to my bed and it's so quiet that it is unbearable. I stand up and leave the house. I walk down the street with my hands in the pockets of my black jacket. My breath is coming out fuming. Well, it is the middle of autumn, in the heart of November.

I end up at the courtyard of the Ridmman's house. The car is missing. I guess, they are at the fields. When I am ready to leave, I hear a familiar voice.

-"Daniel, is that you?"

-"Yeah. I am back." I say while I look at the young man with the same age as me. He is Tony Ridmman. He was my best friend at high school. Now I am not so sure.

-"How are you?" I ask.

-"I am fine. What about you? You are a police officer at Washington, I hear." He says.

-"Not anymore."

-"What happened?"

-"A lot of things." I was always a person with a little words and he knows it. He smiles.