Heaven

i died and went...

to the coast of Coramandel, where the early pumpkins blow, and there in the middle of the woods lived the Yonghi-Bonghy-Bo

who had eaten Nadia’s husband just one year ago. She recalled Dardan had taken her to the rocky shore looking for pumpkins along the sand. Nadia bundled them into the wagon as he brought armfuls. The Yonghi-Bonghy-Bo appeared from the woods and dragged Dardan into the darkness.

Nadia never cried about Dardan's kidnapping by the Yonghi-Bonghy-Bo of that forest. She had only married him so she could use the couple's discount at an amazing Afghan restaurant near her home. Dardan had been a good person, though; he was kind to her despite her indifference.

Then one day she got a letter from Dardan. The Yonghi-Bonghy-Bo had accepted him as one of their own, and he had fallen in love with one of their widowed women. Divorce papers would be coming shortly under separate cover.

Freedom. Sweet freedom at long last. All of the pretending fell away from her like dried leaves on a stiff wind. She sank to her knees and wept with joy.