Clara Banks

Is This Someone You Know?

Clara Banks is a small wisp of a woman, who at the age of fifty-four has returned home to the cornfields of Iowa to bury her seventy-nine year old mother.

It is mid-autumn. The farmers are in the fields picking the corn and beans. At the funeral she sees Charlie Amos, her high school sweetheart whom she left standing at the altar. He shyly mumbles his sympathy.

Clara is between husbands. Her fourth died three months ago leaving her happy and well-financed. She has traveled throughout most of the United States and Europe during her brief lifetime. Her mother never traveled more than twenty-five miles from the home place.

Clara’s brother John and his wife, Christina, still farm the old place. John is hoping the funeral won’t delay the harvest too long.

Clara bumps into Charlie at the grocery store. His wife died three years ago and he has not been with a woman since. He is obviously embarrassed and mumbles his apologies. Clara invites him to a cup of coffee, but he tells her no and leaves without buying any groceries.

Clara longs for the bright lights and noise of New York City. Five days with her brother in Iowa have left her emotionally drained. She cries herself to sleep like she did as a small child.

Copyright © 2020 by Harley King

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