And it was good

By A. EARLEY
Illustrated by ADKINS
A moving tale of a second chance for man—and for his maker.
When she came back he looked at her and put down the piece of wood which he had been carving.
He always carved in anxious moments. Many years before he had been apprenticed to a carpenter. He still loved the smooth, creamy feel and the warm tang of a good piece of wood. Usually he whittled away at it until it suggested a design to work on. More often than not it turned out to be a face, rugged peasant features with the simple wisdom of age engraved on them, or the chubby whorls of a child dimpled with delight. Today, he thought, it might make a tree heavy with fruit and the crown of leaves.
He's decided to do it, then ? he said, and she nodded without looking at him. She did not want to see the pain in her son's eyes. He got up and stood beside her and put his arm round her shoulders.
When ? he asked her softly, patiently.
Right away .
Did you ask him if he would let me go again instead ?
I couldn't ! she said and pulled him to her. I couldn't bear it again after what they did to you last time .
Am I any the worse for it ? he smiled at her. Besides, it was a long time ago and people have changed .
You'd suffer and you'd be away for years , she said. I couldn't go through that. Not again .