The leaves rustled on the trees as the wind blew its soft song. All around the backyard Fall appeared as beautiful jewels echoing the previous summer. The air was heavy with smoke from the numerous fires from other backyards in the neighborhood. Each family, needless of their number, burning piles of racked up leaves. Turning yesterday’s beauty into something useful.

Amber pulled the glove off her delicate hand and brushed a tear from her cheek. She berated herself for being a yesterday’s beauty. Her youthful face remained the same and was not hindered by any delicate lines showing age. Her friends envied her for her youthful appearance. Amber cried within, looking down at her plump form. She had numerous of times attempted, without much success, to loose the accumulation of pounds that weighed her down. She remembered a beauty that was sleek and young and popular with the men. As she reflected, she realized she hadn’t had a date in over two years! Wow…how did she allow this to happen!

She continued racking the fallen leaves and looking up at the sky. In the beginning of the year she had made so many high hopes. She would loose the weight before her 27th birthday, which was now just around the corner. She again brushed a tear from her face this time without removing the work glove. What was the use, she thought, no one would be looking! But in that she was wrong. As she continued racking the leaves and tearing herself down, someone was watching.

Gregg was new in the neighborhood and had recently lost his wife. He had remained faithful for 4 years of their sometimes traumatic relationship. He was busy designing a new wing on the local hospital, when he caught a glimpse of his wife in another man’s arms. The sight was more of a relief than a burden. Finally a door was open, allowing him to be released from his gilded cage. No more pretenses of love that was not there.