The carpenter's promise

Chapter one: "Echoes of change"

It's a cold winter morning and the soft golden glow of the sun shines in the town of Everwood. The workshop hummed with the steady rhythm of work, the scent of sawdust and freshly cut wood lingering in the air. David stood at his workbench, his hands moving with practiced precision, shaping a piece of oak into a smooth curve. His mind, however, was far from the task at hand.

In the quiet moments between the scrape of the chisel and the soft whir of the sander, his thoughts drifted back to that fateful day. The memory played like an old film reel in his mind, each frame etched with painful clarity. Emily's smile, the warmth of her touch... and then, the sudden void that her absence left behind.

He remembered the screech of tires, the sickening thud, and the world spinning out of control. He had rushed to her side, heart pounding, but it was too late. Her eyes, once vibrant and alive, were now empty, staring at a world she would never see again.

Lost in the reverie, David didn't notice his colleague, Jake, approach. Jake gave him a gentle nudge, breaking the spell.

"Hey, David, you're daydreaming again," he remarked, a knowing smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

David blinked, refocusing on the half-finished piece before him. "Oh, it's nothing," he replied, his voice carrying a distant quality.

Jake studied him for a moment, concern flickering in his eyes. He knew better than to pry, understanding that some wounds ran too deep for casual conversation. With a pat on David's shoulder, he returned to his own workstation, leaving David to grapple with the ghosts of his past.

After a few hours of hard work its noon and it is time for their afternoon break. Jake approach David with confidence and concern knowing David doesn't communicate too much with his colleague's.

"Hey there David" he greeted. "You want to... go out and buy coffee," he asked with a hint of concern in his voice.

David was surprised since no one walked and asked him before, but he agreed.

"Uh sure..." He answered, but hesitantly.

While walking to the nearby coffee shop, they're mostly silent while halfway there, but suddenly Jake asked a question. A question David didn't know how to answer.

"Are you ok David?" he asked with concern in his eyes. "You've been quite distracted lately."

David, his eyes widened, not knowing how to answer the question since he's been trying to cope the loss of his wife Emily.

"I-I've..." he answered while looking down on himself.

"You don't have to answer, I'm just... you know, curious," he asked with a smile in his face trying to comfort David.

Then they reached the coffee shop. Jake asked for his usual latte while David asked for his "Turkish coffee". Jake was surprised because not many people drink this coffee.

"Huh, Turkish coffee," he said out of the blue.

"Is there something wrong?" David genuinely asked about this.

Jake laughs as a response. "Sorry my bad. I don't see that coffee every day. I don't even know how it taste!" he answered with cheerfulness.

Right about David would answer the question, he was cut off by Jake reminding both of themselves that they had a little bit more time to get back to work.

"Oh crap!" he shouts while looking at his wristwatch. "We have a few more minutes to enjoy lunch. Guess time runs fast when you're having fun, right David?" he asked David with a smile in his face.

"Yeah...yeah it does." David answered with joy flickering in his eyes.

Then they walk back to the workshop talking about what plans do they have in the weekend or something friends talk about. Hours passed and they're finished for the day, even though their project is halfway finished, but there are having fun while working on it. As David and Jake packed their things and about to leave the workshop, they also bid their goodbyes and hoping to see each other next week.