Just Like One

“He was just like a bee, wasn’t he?”

It was an arid, hot summer day, and a single man sat, alone, on the edge of a wooden porch, gazing out into a wide-open forest beyond him. His only company, besides the glass of water at his side, were the sounds of wildlife, echoing through the lively woods. He couldn’t see them, but he knew from experience just how much life was within.

“Yeah…he really was…”

Those words came from his lips, carrying a melancholic edge to them.

As he stared out at the all-encompassing nature in front of him, he could not help but reminisce. After all, there was a companion he’d previously shared such beautiful scenery with. One that so faithfully sat at his side at moments like these, its gaze following his out into the forest.

The man looked down at his hand, twirling an object around in it. There was a faint jingle as he twisted his wrist.

It was a collar. One that looked large enough to fit around the neck of a large animal…a dog. There was a small looking bell attached, and a name engraved on the metal plate that sat upon the leather.

“Danny…” The man spoke it, voicing the words out into the atmosphere. He took a deep gulp of his water, as if he were the thirstiest he’d ever been.

Visions came into his mind. Of a small little animal barking at him as he took it home. The barking slowly losing its edge, as the animal got bigger and bigger…eventually coming to trust him. To walk side-by-side with him in his solitary life in the woods, the one speck of life that never left him.

Zig-zagging through the trees, single-mindedly hunting to fulfill his needs, loyal and loving…just like a diligent bee, he thought.

And just like a bee, he was gone, as quickly as he had come. Barely two months together…before he moved on, to somewhere else.

“Guess…that’s just how it goes.”

The man wanted to take another gulp, but his glass was empty.

Once more…he was alone.