Every summer Saturday, weather permitting, Bert Monroe drives from the cloistered loneliness of his city apartment to a widow’s rural roadside stand. She has two bubbly girls, eight-year-old twins. Bert praises the fresh carrots, potatoes, shucked corn, and butternut squash. He overorders, then lets the girls clasp his fingers and urge him toward the front yard of the red brick farmhouse.
While the widow packs his vegetables, he pushes the girls on a swing…high and higher.
Skipping and giggly, they escort him on each side back to the stand.
He feels their gentle hands wrapped around his fingers all day.
Beautiful story.
Hello HDH
I’m glad you enjoyed it
gt
like the warmth of the children’s hands on Bert’s, your story stayed with me long after reading. well done-
hello Lee
thank you for your warm response
Oh, so lovely.
Thank you, Liz – from Bert and the twins
Comments so far mark your story as ‘lovely.’ I read something quite different behind the words. A lonely city man driving to spend his time with eight-year-old twins and leaving with the feeling all day of their gentle hands wrapped around his fingers. Something sinister…?
Hi Christine:
Interesting response. Bert stayed with me as a bit of a loner, welcoming his excursions to the country. Perhaps a bit wistful that he has no family of his own. He appreciates the fleeting company he has with the twins. Nothing sinister, only life-affirming.
So sad, Gary, that your gentle tale would elicit such a response. Too much cynicism, too much media obsession and too much suspicion of all men plagues the world of today.
Hello DJ
Yes, agree with your sentiments. Thx for the response.
gt
Captures the moment and that of times to come.
Hello MSH
Thank you for the response. One would hope that Bert and the twins share more Saturday meetings, with laughter and love.
Lovely read… kudos …
Hello Valli
I’m pleased the story brightened your morning. Over coffee?
gt
Ahh Lovely. I always miss holding little hands.
Hello Julie
Savor the touch.. They grow up so fast.
Thx for the comment
gt
Loved the tenderness of this story.
I thought this piece was really interesting. It felt lonely, like this is maybe the only warm interaction Bert has.
It made me think about the closeness we can have with people we barely know and hardly ever see; those connections can be very real and meaningful.