Some Special Place

Some Place Special

Do you have a place that is really special? What makes it standout? The weather? The location? The people? Escape from every day responsibilities? Is it a place that can go to yearly, monthly anytime you want?

When special places abound, life is usually good. In my novel, Baggage burdens. special places were needed to lighten the burden that Jill and her family carry. It was then that characters regenerate and develop a clearer perspective on the future.

Many times Jill finds comfort looking back to the summer that she lived at her grandmother’s house in Oshawa. During that time an intimate relationship with her grandmother grew. Jill enjoyed independence, rejoiced at the achieving lost goals and unexpected hopes. Her time there was “heavenly.” 

Intimate experiences during their two-week Hawaiian holiday remind Jill and Joseph that they really do love each other.

When they lived on the farm, Joseph and his children often visited a place by a steam. It was a very private, personal place. Here they were completely open, honest, accepting. At times they would simply kickback, have a picnic, skip stones across the water. Most of all it was a place that only Joseph, Daniel, Amber and Sarah knew about. It was their special place.

“Ah, heaven! I could stay here forever,” says Jill, reminiscing about her summer. Hearing her words urges Jill to praise her grandmother next time she visits.

Gram, you’re so wonderful. I thought my high school courses were lost. I don’t know how you did it, but I’m sure thankful you convinced my history and drama teachers to let me hand in my last three assignments. It was a lot of work to do in two weeks. I really couldn’t of handled any more. Now I’m free until September. It feels so good.

Returning to her holiday spirit, Jill sinks her head into the soft lounger cushion. Her eyes close. She absorbs the sun’s rays, deepening the tan on her legs, arms, and stomach. Enjoy this while I can. At two o’clock, she plans to leave for the Brick Theatre, home of the Creative Arts Society of Brampton.

Two weeks earlier, the theatre advertised in the community paper for people to work part-time on making stage settings and costumes. The not-for-profit group decided they’d run out of volunteers to complete the tasks that needed to be done by show time.

I moved here at just the right time. What a blessing! Had Jill known of their need earlier, she’d have volunteered. Working in a theatre was a dream she gave up on when she ran away from home. Now I have spending money too. She works four hours a day, four days a week.

The people at the theatre had enthusiastically welcomed Jill. They even drafted her to play a small part in the production. Besides sewing costumes and painting scenes, the set designers eagerly accepted her input on stage settings. Hearing how sound effects enriched the performance amazed Jill.

In September, I’m definitely going to join the society.

“We need to talk.”

His father’s serious tone worries Daniel. “Something I do?”

“No. No,” answers Joseph quickly. He used the same words, we need to talk, when he discussed Daniel’s behavior toward his mother.

“Our usual place?” asks Daniel as they enter the corral where the horses are penned.

“Yeah.”

Their destination is three large boulders near a stream at the far end of Joseph’s land. Daniel chooses it because it’s on his way to Eve’s place. Joseph likes it because there is a little waterfall no more than three feet high. He loves the sound of trickling water, and there is no sign of roads or buildings. If he had a tough decision to make, he’d ride out here and pray. When he leaves, he always feels at peace, even if a solution escapes him.

Once they ride out of the yard, Daniel says, “Race?”

Joseph nods. They both shoot off.

“Ah, come on!” Daniel arrives two horse lengths ahead of his father. Joseph usually wins. “You hardly tried.”

“Maybe I’m distracted.”

“Right,” responds Daniel in disbelief.

“Or you’re becoming a better rider.” Joseph hopes winning might put Daniel in a happier mood.

They both let their horses nibble at the long grass in the midst of the aspens and willows. Once they take their usual seats on the rocks, Daniel begins, “Shoot. What’s up?”

      haiku capsule:

Hawaiian resort

three large boulders near a stream

sacred sanctuaries

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