The Colder Hours

 The first episode of the short story, 

“The Colder Hours.” 

 Episodes every Thursday
by MFlannery

The drive is down a paved narrow road, too narrow. The run off ditches, near flat in places, adds some width. Enna prefers alternate countryside routes. Route 7 is a viewing platform to ride along. Side roads are a climb into warm sheets. 

The afternoon temperature that day is at ninety-seven degrees Fahrenheit. Bard’s must have antique chifforobe sits well in the back of their old truck with the broken air conditioner.. The only day available for pick up, he canceled his eye appointment to make the trip. A little flushed looking, Enna smiles with her face catching the breeze at the open window. Bard tells her she looks nineteen when they were dating.

She smiles wider as she strokes his tanned arm.

“It’s been about that long since we’ve been this way.” Bard says, “The metal shed and that house are new.”

A deer is in a soybean field just at the edge of the woods. Bard slows so Enna can take pictures. 

“He’s eating the whole plant.” Enna observes.

Slowly Bard continues up the narrow road. On the right are fields and in the distance on the other side of Route 7 are the Green Mountains’ Presidential Range. On the left, a hill goes up and over, ending at Maple Street. 

“Did you feel that!?” Enna asks Bard as she fold ls her arms over her chest, “The cold, through the shade over the road? Isn’t it weird to be that cold?

“Contrast. Hot to cold contrast.” Bard smiles, “What does your spirit crew think?”

“I’m not getting anything. Maybe the cold is them enjoying the shade.” Enna’s voice trails off as she looks in the rear view side mirror.

“A thought. Let’s have Sam and Merylee look at the chifforobe for spirits. Good idea?” 

“Oh yes, a very good idea. I’m anxious to hear about their trip to Montana. I think they bought property there.”

“I’ll call Sam when we get home.”