Promise kept (fiction)

Mark opened his sedan car door and stepped out to land his feet on the ground, which had some carpet grass laid on it. He took a deep breath to savor the nostalgia of the beautiful memories he had enjoyed while growing up and let out his breath, looking around at the tall grasses that threatened to envelop him. The old, rugged house was still the same as when he left it three years ago, after his uncle mysteriously died. His wife had moved out of the country house after her husband’s death to live with her first-born female child, Stacy.

His uncle took Mark in after his retirement from active service, and because he wished for a quiet life with his wife, he acquired the house. Mark had volunteered to live with both of his elderly foster parents, and he had the opportunity to drive his uncle’s truck into town, which was about 20 miles away. On several occasions, he had gone with his uncle to hunt, which often yielded some good games like rabbits or wild pigs.
Mark slammed his car door and walked to the door entrance with a bunch of keys dangling in his hand. His black boot was handy as he walked effortlessly over the numerous fields that surrounded the house. His late uncle had willed the house to him in the hope that he would keep it when they were no more.

Here he was, about to sell off the abandoned property, which could fetch him a significant amount of money. Just as he inserted the key into the front door lock, he heard the chirp of a bird, which continued continuously. Mark left the key in the lock and walked through the corridor to see the garden his uncle often sat in. Mark paused as memories stormed his mind, remembering how his uncle spent his evenings in the now unkempt garden, sipping his glass of juice, which seemed to never finish from its cup. Mark could not help but smile, as his uncle had told him he would love for Mark to have a simple wedding right in the garden.

Mark sighed, nodded his head sideways, and turned to enter the house from the front entrance when the honk of an arriving jeep sounded. They were a couple who showed interest in procuring the property, and they seemed willing to buy the house at any cost.

"Good afternoon, Mr. and Mrs. Johnson. "I'm glad you could join me." Mark said as he walked towards the gray-haired couple.

"I’m sure the building fits your taste." Mark asked, gesturing back to the house.

"Fair enough, Mark; we’ll make a commitment today right after the inspection." Mr. Johnson said:

"About that, I am reconsidering leasing it out instead." Mark replied after he reconsidered the sale of the house. He hoped his offer would dissuade the couple and help him retain the building. His mind was made up; he would not sell the property any longer.

"Are you sure that’s what you want?" Mr. Johnson asked with his eyebrows raised.

"Yes, I am sorry for every inconvenience. I have a wish to execute before I can sell the property. I hope you understand?" Mark apologized sincerely.

"It’s okay, son; whenever you make up your mind to sell, we are a call away." The old man reassured him with a broad smile as he held his wife's hand in a firm but loving grip. "Can we look around?" he continued.

"Of course yes," Mark replied, leading them inside the house.

Thank you for reading. I would love your comments and contributions 🤗

What I see and feel is an abandoned garden laced with memories of time