Last night the doorbell rang. Nothing could have surprised me more: no one comes to this house who does not live here. I was eating my noodles. I told S to go see who it was. Probably the neighbor, a lonely widow, wanting to talk to someone.
But suddenly I heard shouts, the sounds of a screen door pushing open, loud hugs -- and I knew it was my brother R, back from over 6 months on the Appalachian Trail. Lazy Legs is back! I ran out there and hugged him, and we stood back laughing and looking him over.
Later in the kitchen, his pack down and conversation going, I mentioned his beard. "Its powerful, its. . .flourishing," I said.
"Unfettered," he said, finding a perfect word. It was true. With his high, now bare forehead and dense red beard, he was a powerful, unfettered picture, like a stone summit rising from gnarled trees.
Look how happy S's face is in the first picture! I haven't seen him smile like that in a long time.
2 comments:
Do you know where your brother is now? I hiked the Appalachian Trail as well and the last time I saw him was right after Harpers Ferry, WV. I've emailed him and heard no response. Next time you talk to him, tell him Turbo Turtle says hi.
Turtle! It's Lazy Legs! Sorry I've been mia- I'll email you soon.
----------->LL
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