A Lake In The Woods

Burning clouds float over a body of water.

In a cabin two couples play bridge.

A dog on a chain barks at a duck.

Two girls sit on a rock sharing a cigarette.

You are too conservative he says and throws his cards across the table.

For heaven’s sake she says, and scoops up the cards. It's just a game.

One of the girls pitches the spent cigarette into the water and follows it in.

Gross, the other girl says.

They both laugh.

I would like to go home.

We finish what we start.

Finish it yourself. I'm leaving.

The dog watches the duck float away, wags his tail and shuts his eyes.

She leaves, the game of cards ends.

She walks along the shore, sees the girls and waves.

They wave back. You should come in, the water's great.

The sun drops below the tree line and lies down on the lake.