Arrival
A small girl perched on top of a rock, her brown braids swinging as she watched the road. Nothing diverted her gaze from its post, and the long stretch of time did nothing to dull the enthusiasm in her eyes.
Suddenly, her body stiffened with excitement as she saw a figure come over the hill. She slid off the rock and darted to the house, skirts flying.
“Papa’s coming, Papa’s coming!” She declared to all who could hear. There was a flurry of printed skirts and muddy shoes as all raced out to meet the traveler.
“Papa!” The children cried in a chorus. The girl who had been watching was the first to clamp him in a hug.
“Did you have a good journey?” The girl’s mother asked, smiling.
“Aye,” he said, nodding as he took off his hat and placed it on one of the young boys with a grin. “‘twas far too long to be away, but productive.”
“We missed you!” The girl cried.
“I missed you, too,” he assured her with a chuckle. Slowly, each child had received their share of hugs and they made their way down the dirt road, returning to their house with quiet contentment, knowing their family was whole once more.
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