June Moon

I could hear their voices a quarter mile off, the evening was that still, that quiet.

The laughter of brothers around the campfire¾companions by obligation, friends by choice¾their words were blurred by the distance, but the tone was easily read.

I reached for my husband’s hand, breathing in the cool, dark air, watching the last of pinks and red disappear at the horizon, a narrow crescent hanging picturesque.  

They didn’t know we could hear, their sheltered location in the trees far from sight of neighbors or passersby.

I breath out, sending with it a prayer for these two, for wisdom and guidance in the few years we have left before they head off to unknown adventures.

A comment. His brother laughs.

My heart squeezes in a way I never knew before having them.

I smile, draw in a breath, and call out into the night…

“Ka-kaw! Ka-kaw!”

Silence.

Then giggles.

“Ka-kaw!” comes the reply, his voice cracking.

And my heart squeezes even harder.