//------------------------------// // Broken Hearts and Torn Up Letters // Story: Heart of Winter // by Dr.Shisno //------------------------------// The man crossed the street, a truck slowing to let him pass. He gave a thanking wave as he crossed, continuing over to the other side. He made a passing greeting to a woman on the sidewalk before he continued walking towards the diner on corner. The door jingled as he entered, and the middle aged woman behind the counter smiled warmly, which the man returned. He took off his coat as he sat down at counter, placing it on the seat next to him. “Mornin’ Jim.” The woman greeted, setting a cup of coffee in front of him. “Good Mornin’ Alice. How’s the pot this mornin’?” “Bit strong. Just strong enough kick you inna rear, but weak enough to keep ya socks on.” “Sounds like a good pot to me.” Jim took a drink of his coffee straight black, humming in satisfaction as he set it down. “You’d be right with that kick, just right in my books.” “Glad to hear it. Now what can I getcha this mornin’?” Jim took another sip of his coffee, lost in thought for a moment. “Well, how’s the chef feelin?” Alice turned to the gateway to the kitchen. “Hey Randy!”” A balding head stuck his head through the portal, “What, Alice? Oh, hey Jim! How’s the family?” “They’re doin good. Carolyn is excited about startin’ her horseback riding lessons after school. James can’t wait to get back on the hockey team after breaking his arm last season, and Amanda is just happy the kids are in school again.” “Ain’t that the truth, so what can I do for you?” “What’s the grill liking this morning?” “Ham slices, eggs,” Randy shrugged. “The pig mostly. For some reason it’s not likin’ the cow. Hotcakes are turnin’ out nicely.” “Right, how about slice of ham, some bacon, an egg, and a hotcake.” The chef snapped his fingers, pointed towards Jim. “You got it, boss.” His head disappeared from behind the portal. Jim continued sipping on his coffee, his eyes drifting to the newspaper under his coat. Curiosity got the better of him as his slid it out from under his coat.  The bolded font headlines at the top of the page were old news; the economic situations weren’t new to anyone. Flipping the page, the below-the-fold-headline made him sigh. Search for Local Volunteer Called Off.  The article wasn’t too long. Just a small overview of the situation: a man, who had made a name of himself volunteering or being at the right place at the right time, had gone missing. Joshua Sakharov had moved into the area little over a year ago. The owner of the property he was staying at went to check in with him to ask for a bit of help, but he was nowhere to be found. The owner found an incomplete letter and went with it to the police. After weeks of searching and still finding no body, the search was called off. It was speculated that he committed suicide, but the lack of a body didn’t support the theory. The second theory was that the animals had gotten to him, but lack of remains and eyewitness testimonies of his extensive wilderness expertise further disproved that theory. An over the top rumor was that there was a mob intervention, though it was more of a joke than anything. The last rumor was aliens, but no one was crazy enough to believe it. “Shame about him,” Alice said, looking down at newspaper. “He was kind fellow. Came in a few times for a cup of coffee, nothin’ more. Didn’t talk too much either.” She sighed, refilling Jim’s coffee. “He had such a nice smile too.” “Wasn’t he stayin’ on David’s property?” “Yup he was. David said he even paid up front for the next few years. Volunteered to help around the land as part of his rent.” “All of up front for the next few years?” Jim’s voice whispered in surprise. “Guy must’ve had a lotta money. Didn’t he wear rags?” Alice just shrugged, “If he had the money, he sure lived humbly. Only thing I know he spent money on for sure was dry cleaning.” “Dry cleanin’?” She nodded, “You know Janice? The girl runnin’ the local laundromat? Well, she told me that he would come in about once every week and ask her to clean this handkerchief. Just a handkerchief, and that he would pay any price for it to be kept in clean, pristine condition. Janice barely charged him a dime. But still, all that just for a small handmade handkerchief.” Jim raised an eyebrow, “Just a handkerchief? Ain’t that strange?” “One oink and cluck, then the ground they walked on!” Randy’s head reemerged from the portal, and he stuck out plate of food. Alice took the plate, sliding it front of Jim. “You talking about that Joshua fellow?” Randy inquired. “Nice guy. Never saw him at the bar, though. Think I saw him there once to ask the bartender a question, but he left soon after. Though, I heard last huntin’ season the MacAvoy family wasn’t doin’ too well. He showed up at their door unannounced and not having heard of their situation. Had a twenty point cut, gutted, and skinned. He gave it all away, didn’t even keep the tail. I think he even mounted the horns for them the next day. Shame about what happen’d though.” The cook paused, thinking about it all for a few moments. “Anyway, enjoy the food!” He disappeared once again back into kitchen. “Thanks Randy.” Jim started at his eggs before continuing. “Sounds like a hell of a guy. Wish I could’ve got to know him.” “You and everyone else.” There was a lull in the conversation. “But don’tcha think that’s strange? A guy that’s got a lot of money, wears rags, only dry cleans a handkerchief, helps anyone who needs it, and suddenly drops off the face of the earth?” Jim’s gaze drifted back down to the newspaper and to the picture accompanying the article. It was one of the probable few pictures of Joshua that existed, a blowup of a group picture. The main road needed clearing during the winter last year, and an all-volunteer group cleared it. Joshua stood off to the side of the group, a small half smile on his face shining pronounced through his beard. Although, his eyes made him seem vacant and melancholy. “Just a bit strange,” Jim sipped his coffee quietly before flipping the page.