Shore Leave

The sound of music assaulted my ears as I put away the last dish into the cupboard. Bright flashes suddenly illuminate

the kitchen like no electric light could. Lightning. The weather man had been predicting a storm for a while, a real whopper

he had said. The thunder rolled in, far away but still loud and forceful. Nature's power can be a frightening thing. I learned

that a long time ago.

I look out the window, across the lake at the gathering storm clouds. The water is getting restless as as the wind

begins to roll over towards the house. It blows in through the window and brings goosebumps to my skin. I close the

window and turn off the radio, bringing an uneasy silence to the house.

I turn to go make a fire in the living room, but I take one last look out at the lake. The clouds continue to darken, and

for just a second, I see a dark shape moving under the clouds. I have to squint to make it out completely, but it seems to

be a cloud itself, floating on the lake. As it comes closer, I begin to see the form of a hull made of dull, gray wood, and

sails fashioned from a stained and torn cloth.

The sight brings a tightness to my chest as I see a dark figure at the wheel. I stumble into my chair and listen. I whimper as I hear the boat I abandoned fifteen years ago hit the shore, then a shiver strikes me as the sound of footsteps emanates from the porch.

"Please don't come any closer." I whisper, but as I hear the creaking of the door I realize that this shore leave has come to an end.