By the Lake

By the Lake

                A pretty girl leaping from stone to stone; beauty in the way her dress flutters in the air with each hop. A peaceful lake that is deep enough to catch falls yet shallow enough to stand in. A lovely place to sit and idle away the time.

                "Come back here, dear," a woman says. She looks down at her husband, who is idly reading a book in the pleasant sunlight. "Call her back, Darrel. She'll hurt herself out there."

                "There's about as much risk on those rocks as there is in... Honestly, in her getting up in the morning. She'll be fine. Worst comes to worst, she bumps herself. The rocks are soft, and smooth, and she's far more likely to fall into the water than any else, Elle," he replies, using a finger to mark where he was in his book.

                His wife, dissatisfied with his answer, glares. "You carefree approach to parenting will get her killed one day," she admonishes. But she relents, with a smile. "But very well. Perhaps I will join her?"

                "Go ahead. I'm getting to the good stuff," replies Darrel. As his wife stalks over to the pond, he sighs. Strangely paranoid woman, he thinks to himself, for someone who, well.

                He straightens up in his chair, and watches his wife join their daughter on the stones. He is in his early forties, his wife in her mid-thirties, and their daughter almost eighteen. Almost a woman! He forgets that sometimes - she seems so young, especially when she smiles. She smiles so often.

                It makes Darrel smile as well, but he returns to his book. Elle and her daughter leap amongst the rocks for a time, laughing happily. It's a happy scene in a delightful place. Around the lake sit picturesque woodlands, and the day is sunny with only a pair of lovely, fluffy clouds in the sky. But it's always like that, here.

                Different kinds of beautiful, sometimes, but the weather varies little; and the evergreens do not worry themselves about the cold enough to shed in the winter months. They all wish they could come here more often, really. But other matters beg their attention, and they cannot spare the money lost.

                Some time later - a little after Darrel finishes the 'good bit' - Elle and their daughter finish amusing themselves on the rocks. It has been a long day; a walk in the morning, a picnic by the lake, and even some time swimming in the deeper parts. A peaceful after noon, full of love and happiness.

                As his wife and daughter join him, looks at the skies and sighs. "It's getting late," he says. "Ri, can you go find the horses?"

                "Alright, dad," the daughter says. She hugs them both tightly, and says, "I'll see you later."

                The loving parents smile as their daughter heads off into the forest. "She's a lot like you," says Darrel, "Keeping it together, happy to let me handle my stuff, and all that."

                "I know," says Elle, "She's my daughter!" Elle rolls her eyes.

                Darrel smiled. "I always have to say goodbye properly," he says.

                "I know. I can tell you it feels like almost no time at all for me a hundred times, and you'll still do it," she replies.

                Darrel sighs. "Goodbye, Elle, my love and wife for many years," he says, softly and sadly. "I'll see you again."

                "Goodbye. I'll see you again as well," says Elle. "Perhaps a hike, next time?"

                "Of course," replies Darrel. He wraps his arms around Elle, hugging her tightly. She responds in kind.

                They spend a while that way; clasping each other as if there is nothing else in the world. Then they separate. "It's time to go. Are you going to leave?" asks Elle.

                "No. I'll turn away," answers Darrel. He and Elle kiss, quickly. A fleeting moment.

                Darrel turns away from her as she says, "Goodbye, Darrel."

                He waits for a moment, then turns back. Standing there is someone else - in form, and in mind. "It went well, I think," it says.

                Darrel nods. "Thank you," he says.

                The creature - a nearly formless thing, shaggy and hairy, though humanoid - grinned. Or, it did what Darrel assumed was a grin, having spoken with it quite a few times. "You know," it says, "You're one of the few that talk to me afterwards."

                "I... Think it's important, to say thank you. If you didn't do this - if you didn't take on their souls, their selves, we'd never see them again," says Darrel.

                "I do understand your comments, but keep in mind that I am paid for providing this service. And handsomely, too - you, and the others that can afford it, are lucky beyond being able to utilise my services," the creature responds.

                Darrel sighs. "I don't think there could be a more worthwhile reason to burn a hole in my pocket, so thank you," he says.

                The creature nods. "Your daughter is waiting. And one more thing - I believe your wife wanted to tell you that while you can see her again, if your daughter dies they can never see each other," it says.

                "I know," says Darrel. "I'll be back in two months."

                "As always. Thank you for your business."

                As Darrel walks away, he turns back with a broad smile. "No," he says, "Thank you!"