Waiting

He had waited through Jeff and Jim. Kent and Riley. The local news-print boy and the store owners son. He had waited through three harsh winters, four summers and now, what he hoped to be his last fall.

Finally he could wait no more.

Katherine J. Williams caught his reluctant eye and off he went.

Turns turned.
Places switched.
Hearts revolted in agony.

Now she realized.
Now she sat.
Now she waited.

She waited through Katherine and Cathy. Sam and Emma. The bar girl from the pub and the pastors daughter. She waited through three harsh winters, four summers and now, what she hoped to be her last fall.

But for one another they had been molded.
For one another they had been set apart.
For one another their paths had been worn.

It didn't matter how passionately they pulled in contradictory directions for they were not the makers of North or South nor the compass upon which they followed.

Then in the field between the peach orchard and the creek they met. They spoke of expectations and how they were not good enough and how they were better off alone. He stalked her heart and she warred for his.

She had waited through Katherine and bar maids. He had waited through Jeff and store hands. And now, together, they would wait for death.

For, this was all that could separate them.