Coming Home

The closer he came to his small farmhouse, he noticed the changesin the surroundings. He glanced at the barren fi elds. He noticed thepaint chipping from the barn. In the distance, Henry saw two youngchildren in one of the fi elds. The children looked at him and dashedaway, heading for home. Henry picked up his pace. He could nowsee his house. It was not burned or in ruins, yet it was not the bright,joyful, beautiful place in which he recalled. The children rushedinto the farmhouse calling for their mother, Ma, Ma theres a strangeman coming up the road towards the house.