Silt.

And they walked down the old dark dirt road with a star shocked sky above. Both of them wondering how this would end or begin or change or remain in place. Then Timothy spoke.

"I can't do this like you can, I can't treat her like you can."

Forest didn't say anything and they both continued on down the road towards the cool, moist water front at the edge of the lake. When they reached their destination they were greeted by songs of the loon and an orchestra of frogs and toads. All this, in a way, spoke for them to one another. The stars squinted at them as Gods thumbnail held the night sky in place for a time. So that, if just for a short time, these two might be able to speak and love in quiet and peace.

"I do love her." Forest whispered under his grayish breath.

"Then love her."

Timothy began to feel a deep sinking in his stomach and a lump fixed in the base of his throat. He was giving, so he thought, a piece of himself away to someone. Now, this was someone whom he loved dearly, but he was also giving away someone he loved dearly. He shifted in the cool mud and silt beneath his feet and sighed a sigh of sadness and relief. But in his heart he knew that things could not be the same.

Just then Forest wrapped his arms in an embrace around the shoulders of Timothy. Tears were streaming down his face and his breath was hot and could be easily seen in the cool, sweet night air.

"I'll never let her go." said Forest.

And they walked back to the ranch house talking about the tractor they had to work on that next morning and how they were looking forward to a big breakfast. They walked as friends, as brothers and as two men who knew each others hearts as we desire to know Gods. And the songs of the loon accompanied by the crickets and frogs lulled nature to sleep for one more night with a sense of peace and righteousness.