A Shadow from a Chestnut Tree

A shadow from a chestnut tree spread through blades of grass until it scraped the edge of Jay’s foot. He was falling into darkness. The blue sky disappeared, slowly, evaporating to reveal a grey backdrop. The sun stumbled, fell off the edge of the horizon.

The park was littered with bodies, unaware people throwing balls and skipping ropes and holding hands. Mindless activities to help them blend in, and forget. All a distraction from the shadows that stretched and clawed across the field.

As the shade of a branch spiraled around his knee, Jay turned to his husband:

“Hold my hand?”