Circles

A melancholy mist falls thru the late morning. Marla looks out into the bright haze for something unseen, or for nothing at all.

The entire estate is still now, the vast mansion, sprawling grounds and gardens, there's not a sound. No bounding dogs or clambering children filling the air with joyful noises and busy, random fun.

Marla's successful, workaholic ex-husband divorced her five years ago, then married his boss who eventually inherited her family's giant corporation.

The dogs have since passed. Maria's three kids, grown and gone to three different states, have ittle contact with her or each other. None call their dad.

The circles turn, the dreams burn down to foolish ashes, you just sweep them up, and toss them out along with the day's junk mail. Marla stays at home, nowhere to go, lots of time now to get there.