Epilogue
July 15, 2020: Bruce looked in the
mirror and stared at his fifty year old face. There were fine lines around his
eyes and mouth. His skin had been permanently frosted and hardened by the
sun. He lifted his gaze from the mirror
to outside. His morning view of the lake still amazed him after fifteen years
of mornings. That lake had provided him sustenance and tranquility. He knew that his solitary life was the only
way he would ever live. His partners in life had four legs and he was settled
with that. At the current moment there were three members of his household. He
was never quite sure how they found him. His infrequent trips to town for
supplies managed to attract all the strays.
Being self-sufficient, those trips
became less often and less frequent. There was nothing that he needed that he
couldn’t find from the land around him. Buying all the prime land around a lake
afforded him the ability to build on each shore. Some of the houses were bare
minimums and others had a few luxuries. He found himself most comfortable in
those with minimal amenities.
Bruce knew that his lifestyle was
not for everyone and that he would end up dying alone, but the truth was that
he had lived his life alone since the day the boat set sail. The events that
occurred thereafter set his destiny. Simplicity and serenity were all he
sought.
For all of you who have witnessed this story unfold, it will be available in a pdf version under the title of the The Mirror.
Ah, part of me is somewhat sad for Bruce, and yet I do see that it is absolutely a fitting conclusion for him. He went through so much and saw such betrayal, it's not surprising at all that he ended up alone. And I love that he is living simply... or perhaps; simply living. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Les --- I really had finished his story - it is sad that a child ends up living a life he had not chosen because of actions of his parents.
DeleteI am so eager now to read the book and tie it altogether in my mind! We often talk about people who have chosen as adults to live alone and more or less apart from others in their lives. The older I get the more I understand the attraction to that, and most definitely to a life of peaceful simplicity! Bruce has been through hell and back, I suspect he doesn't feel sad at all in his solitary lifestyle, I wish him blessings until his final breath, and then beyond!
ReplyDeleteI also find myself wondering how many people actually end up living the life they plan as young people or young adults. Parents can be cripplers, so can partners, friends, enemies, and even circumstance. It is what the human spirit does with that which matters!
ReplyDelete