Windfall Pond

Windfall Pond

During one gelidity frost night,The year is 1998. 11:39 p.m. Ray Greenfield is sitting anxiously drinking his hot coffee. Sitting along with him is his friend Eun-Woo Jeong. They reside in a nursing home in Kansas City, Mo. They have been up all evening talking as if they were high school kids. However, the reason for being up took much planning. Now, one may ask. What were they planning? Ray and Eun-Woo, just met one month prior in the nursing home. Ray is a retired marine seargent who married his sister's best friend after his tour in South Korea.He has been widowed for 5 years prior when his wife of 50 years passed from a heart attack. When they married, his son came not long afterwards. He also followed suit joining the marine Corp. He is stationed overseas in South Korea. Eun-Woo, however only had one child. A daughter all grown up and is a professional singer. She tours the world and comes home to stay with her mother when not touring. It has been over a week, Ray and Eun-Woo slyly watch the staff and has them down to a science. They know Rebecca, a vending machine on wheels nurse who does her rounds at 11:40p.m. While the security guard Gregory, relieves his coworker charles,who had second shift. Ray and Eun-Woo sneakily walk past the security guard at 12:05am, He is fast asleep. This is typical every single night for 30 minutes or so. One may ponder, is that safe? Well we are all elderly so what are we going to do? Start throwing a party as if we were teenagers with the parents gone out of town? We find a chance to dart out the side door and now we're in a Taxi. The driver was waiting after ray's call pretending he was calling his son. Where are they going? Well Ray and Eun are going to the home Ray grew up in. Chatting up the taxi driver, he leans back to take in the story. It is not that far away. Excited because she has heard many tales of my house where I'm from. Eun-Woo replies, "You see, what I want to see and get into is most important". She wants to see a special attraction that I have been promising. Now, we will finally make it here. My home is not far but steps away from the attraction. He has been yapping all about place for a whole month. Wer'e going to see Windfall pond. Now according to him and to local Legend it has special powers. I would often laugh, thinking. Oh what such rubbish. However, the stories that he has told me are very extraordinary. So much that I wanted to see for myself. We make it to the pond. I am staring at the pond in amazement. The pond is frozen I added. I jokenly ask "Where is the miracle, Ray"? Maybe the miracle is that I have never seen a frozen pond? We both Marvel and joke. Then we gave each other a kiss. We were already falling in love and wanted to spend our last days together. I have stomach cancer and he has lung cancer.We were only given maybe a month or two. Now, I listen intently as he tells me."All you have to do is hold your hand in the water". Or underwater and make a wish. Afterwards, when we see a pear tree, we have to both eat a pear from the tree. Only one, and we have to share one pear to gain the miracle. Then They will come true. The Miracles that he seen he explains, come true but not as exact but a variation. Very close. We both Place our hands on the frozen ice of water. Our hands are clasped and asked for more time together long enough for us to get married. To live out our last days together. We both looked at each other and I kissed him hurriedly. I felt so alive and want to skip down the isle, screw walking. Ray is smiling and utters "didn't I tell you it is a miracle pond"? Are you ready? We were like two little kids gushing with excitement. We're prancing to the house or at least we were trying to. We get to the house. We both gasp, as there is a pear tree that stands in front of the house. I look at him and utter "Your very smooth, how many girls have you romanced using a pear tree that probally has been here since forever"! I laugh so hard I say "It's okay, I still love you"! He retorts "I always see the pear tree, but it was usually along the way after making the wish". "Never right in front of my house'. "This must be good", I say. To our amazement his son is home. Just flew in from Korea. "Son"? When did you get in? His son said "Dad"? "What are you doing here"? "Why are you not at the nursing home"? "How did you get out, I was going to see you tomorrow in the morning"? What are you doing father? "I am getting married tommorow". "Son, say hi to your mother". They both exchange salutations while smiling. We all hug and so thrilled and happy. Then,we hear little pitter-patter. Out jumps a kid. "This is my son". Father, I wanted to surprise you. Father replies, Where did you get him from? "From his mother, dad". I am stationed with her in Korea and she is also here as well. The son turns to introduce his wife. We are engaged and I came home to see you and get married. Eun-Woo Jeong will be your daughter in law. Congratulations dear. I'm so sorry if I am loopy. I am still taking it all in. Welcome to our family, Eun-Woo. Son she is so pretty. Can I ask your last name, dear? She added yes, Jeong. When I was stationed there in korea I met a girl named Eun-Woo. But her last name was Jeong? Replied Ray. I only dated her once and then I had to leave. This was when ww2 ended. I came home and that is when I met my son's mother. She passed away 5 years ago. However, we lived a great life. How about your parents? In Korea? Or they live in the United States? She still live in Korea, she is on her way right now. She swore to make it to our wedding. I am going to be your daughter-in-law. You will meet my mother. As she uttered those words, there was a knock on the door. It was her mother. Are you Ray? She introduces herself. Hello, My name is Eun-Woo Jeong. It is nice to meet you. He smiles and exclaims, "Eun-Woo Jeong" as if they'd seen a ghost. They both begin to laugh hysterically. When we were young in Korea, I could'nt stay but I wanted to. "For you". I thought I lost you. I cannot believe it.We both couldn't believe it. Raymond looks at Eun-Woo. Didn't I tell you the pond has powers? She said I believe it now! Who would have thought we both lost eachother so long ago, to unknowingly meet again so late in life?Finally get married. This miracle of yours, does it bring back our non theoretical son and daughter who don't exist? As we left joking sounding half serious. We were very serious. Raymond says we can manage for now. why not start now? It has been too long, I don't even need boner pills. That was the day our family finally became...Official.