3 Stars

Looking up at the night sky, I notice that everything is more clear in the countryside. Back in the city, you'd be lucky to catch a glimpse of a few stars glimmering and fading away. The flickering and buzzing of the streetlights— and billboards— will blanket the sky in darkness. Isn't it kind of funny that something we use to illuminate things would keep others from being visible? We tend to sacrifice the beauty of the world for our innate pleasures and desires. Would it kill anyone just to sit back for a moment and throw all of those feelings away; just so they can witness a spectacular like this? Just so they could witness the seemingly infinite mass of stars dancing around in the cosmos.

Maybe the alcohol is just getting to me right now. It wouldn't surprise me if anything I'd do or say right now would make much sense. That's alcohol for you: destructive, confusing, and tends to make people do and say stupid shit. Alas, it is also a good way to forget about life for a while, much like Billy Joel sung once in my favorite song— Piano Man. Sometimes I can't help myself to use it for this reason. We all want to forget or escape from something sometimes, regardless of the method being helpful; or self-destructive.

Regardless though, the night sky does take me back to when I would spend the summer months with my grandmother. She would sit on the front porch watching me as I ran around the front of the house catching June Bugs. I'd always try to gather as many as I could into a jar just so I could release them all at once later. Watching them fly out and lighting up in the dark was always something that took my breath away. My grandmother, would just sit back and enjoy the light show with me while telling me stories of her youth.

Grandma was born and raised here in Meadow Valley. She never really left town, unless she needed something in the next town over. The ranch was her and my grandfather's pride and joy. They loved the land and the animals they raised; which easily could be proved by the quality of their goods. They put so much hard work into after my grandma's grandma passed it down to her. I just hope that it will continue to prosper, under my labor.

Walking home, I realized how much the town hasn't changed over the years. In the city, things are always changing. Buildings getting knocked down to be replaced with more modern and taller ones— or new stores opening up— is unavoidable due to the number of people living there. Here though, it feels like time came to a stop. Almost like that this place is in a world of its own, unaffected by everything else changing. The air still as fresh and crisp, unlike the smog-filled air back home.

I honestly never thought I'd end up here of all places after graduating college. My life was supposed to figure itself out. I was going to be a software developer for some big tech firm, making a lot of money, and retiring early with everything I'd ever need. But instead, I ended up being a partner of a failed startup company. A new and innovative social networking platform; what a load of crock. I guess sometimes you have to figure out you've made a wrong turn in order to take the right one.

As soon as I open the gate of my front yard, I'm knocked down by the terrifying beast that herds the animals and my face is being drenched by slobber.

"Calm down girl, relax," I say to Bonnie while ruffling the fur on the top of her head, "I'm home. I'm home. Are you hungry girl?" A single bark was the only response of Bonnie, my grandmother's Australian Shepherd. She may be small, but she doesn't play around when it comes to her job. I've never really been a dog type of person, but she has grown on me in the past couple of weeks.

I walk towards the large doghouse that's on the left side of the house. My grandparents had it built for her. It being a doghouse though is a bit off; it's more like a small barn. Inside is a big container filled with dry food. I reach inside of it and grab the ladle to scoop some into the bowl in front of it. The water dish was still a little full and didn't look dirty, so I'll let that go until the morning.

The house that I've spent so many summers in, is more like a cozy log cabin you'd think that'd be in the woods. It was made in the eighteen-hundreds according to my grandmother. Over the years though, a second level was added, as well as a basement. The bottom was expanded too, so it is a bit spacious. For as old as it is, it's kind of hard to believe how good in shape it is.

I start to rub my eyes. Realizing how late it is, I head upstairs and crash onto my bed. It isn't long before the softness of the mattress causes my mind to drift into the dark.