Krakatoa

The summer was concentrated, only dampened by the light breeze sifting through the leaves onto his rubbery red cheeks. His eyes blinked open and blurred when the sprinklers began to twirl, again fulfilling their duty for another afternoon. His legs spread out as he jumped to the other side of the bench, a woman giving him a shocked expression before walking around. Another day of people avoiding a side-long look, except the children who stared bluntly. He preferred curiosity, hooking his thumbs in his mouth for a clownish grin and popping out his dentures. One of them smiled and pointed. Smelling lavender he turned his head up to Beth, who held another flopping box of pastries. 

'Always such grace Arthur.' She grinned and sat on the bench, opening the box. 'Apple scrolls, fresh and made right in the morning.'

'How could I not dear!' He grabbed one and took a large bite, bits of icing sugar sticking to his beard. The sweet dough filled out his shallow cheeks until he swallowed.

'The idea is to fatten you up for that job interview,' she said, a small amount of concern in the back of her expression as she smiled.

'Ah, I'm old though aren't I dear...'

'My grandfather worked until he was seventy, and Arthur you didn't want to be sitting on the bench forever right? You're only what- 58? Young as a duckling.'

'Now, now, let's not talk about me, let's talk about you!'

She let out a small groan.'Well, rent has been difficult hasn't it, people can't exactly afford the bakery as much anymore. I thought I'd enjoy my moment in the sun, but sometimes it feels like the sun is going to swallow the whole world.'

'But I know how much love you put into it. Oh, dear.' He gave her knee a gentle pat.

'Do you remember summers from back when?'

'Seeped in white sand and blue water love, eating finger buns and making sand castles. I still remember the first time I went on the fishing boat. Water not burning hot like a seafood boil. One moment we were traveling on a plane, right above the clouds, and the next in a whole new world. Mom said we were flying with god, right until a monk stole our last coins.'

Beth let out a hearty laugh and smiled. 'And Italy, how was Italy.' 

'Hmm, Italy reminds me of then, doesn't it? Beautiful absolutely! but with hidden secrets like a puzzle!'

A smile adorned her features and she took a pastry from the box.

'Know the story of Krakatoa??'

'It sounds familiar doesn't it?' She mumbled the words as she chewed.

'Yes! They researched tree rings, they learned a lot about the year 535.' He paused. 'Imagine a rat, suffering from lack of food, fed on my starving ticks after the eruption of Krakatoa. The temperature dropped, skies dark. The Ivory trade carries him across new continents, the victims fleeing his plague spreading it across the Roman empire. Now, imagine cattle-herding Turks surviving this barren wasteland and defeating the rough men of Avar. Refugees moving in thousands, to the doorsteps of Mighty Rome which had been brought to its third leg by plague and misfortune.' He smiled when she gasped. ' It was called The Plague of Justinian.' 

'All caused by one volcano, surely not.'

'Not one, two, one in El Salvadore. Life is a mix of consequences, blessings, and nature. Like 79 when most of the people of Pompeii didn't evacuate, even after the falling of ash throughout the city.'

'It's not all doom Arthur, life is beautiful. Like Pompeii is after all these years. Echoes of the past are left behind for us to discover. It makes you wonder what's out there behind the veil.'

'As sweet as your apple scrolls!'