But she didn't want to go. She didn't see why she should have to. Besides, it wasn't their life. They should keep to their own. That's why God gave them one.

Eila looked out the large picture window that opened up the wall so that she could stare out at the single oak tree that stood in the small open meadow. It had been there for as long as she could remember. It was a large tree that always shed all of its beautiful leaves in September and October so that her and her brothers could play in them. It even did it for her children. And now it did the same thing for her grandchildren.

Something stirred behind her. She turned around and saw her granddaughter June standing there beside the coffee table. Eila smiled.

"What are you doing grandma?" June asked. June was about seven and had blonde hair that reminded Eila of the sun.

"Just thinking about when I was your age." Eila replied warmly.

"But that was so long ago! How can you remember that far ago?" June inquired naievely.

Eila chuckled and then smiled wide. "It's not that hard June. It was happy times then. Great-grandpa was still alive then. He used to let me play in the leaves of the big tree out there."

"Like we do?"

"Just like you do." June walked over and sat on Eila's lap. For a moment there was silence. Then June, while staring out the window at the tree contentedly with her grandma, moved her innocent lips and began to speak.

"What was Great-grandpa John like gramma?"

"Oh," Eila started, "he was a fine man. He always made sure to take care of us - my brothers and me. Why, I grew up right here in this house, June."

June said nothing. She was very still for several minues and the only their breathing was heard, completely syncronised. Then June broke the silence.

"Was he tall?"

"No, not really. Not very many people are tall like your daddy." June's father was six foot four.

"Oh." June said, slightly disappointed.

"But his heart was tall. He made sure that he loved us, I don't think he ever didn't like anyone. He was very kind."

Eila's mind flashed back. He really had seemed to love everyone. He never may have said it but she knew he did. It was in his face. His smile. His sigh. His understanding. She pulled June close. "He loves you like I love you."

"I know." June said plainly. She had lost interest in her grandma. Eila let go of her and watched her get down for her lap and, without a word, scamper across the floor into the kitchen. She heard the screen door clam shut. She sighed.

Maybe she should go, It had been a while since she actually had felt well. And the pain was getting worse. Maybe they were right.

Eila saw herself out under the tree. Climbing the branches, burrowing in the leaves. There used to be a tree house up there. She was never allowed in it though - her brothers always told her that it was "theirs" and that "no girls were allowed." Although her father had told her to go up there anyway she didn't.

Eila went into the kitchen and fixed a cup of tea. She stood in front of the sink and waited for the water to boil. It seemed to take so long. Then she remembered what her father had told her about patience and then it didn't seem so long. The water boiled. She poured her tea and then returned to her rocking chair in front of the picture window.

The sun had come out and was shining down almost directly on that tree. The wind lightly whispered through the top of the branches, making each leaf glitter gold and red. This was her favorite time of year. It was her father's favorite time of year.

Eila was getting tired. But why? She hadn't done anything. She just sat. Maybe that's what she needed though. Her father had always said that you needed time to rest. That's what she was doing - resting. She closed her eyes and thought of how her father had sat in the exact same chair. Silence was all around her. Nothing could interrupt her now. Nothing did.

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