One Long Year

It had been one long year since I had seen them.

I saw the brand new, navy blue, Ford

pickup-truck in my driveway-

pouring out, my two ecstatic nieces innocently laughing.

running to the door like lightning bolts, bombarded with the smell of pumpkin pie.

My brother gave me one of his infamous hugs, suffocating but loving.

And we sat in our backyard, we heard the colorful leaves rustle, and watched the sky turn into a watercolor painting-

talking for what seemed like never-ending hours.

Engaging in a forgotten discussion.

I ran to my mother, and I beamed with pleasure, remembering-

it had been one, long year since I had seen them.