The Way He Loved Her

He brought her to the log cabin. It was autumn and the rusty leaves off the oak welcomed them with fresh arms. He made love to her by the light of the kerosene lamp, their shadows dancing against the wall. In later years, whenever she smelled the strong and vaporous stuff, she thought of him. She caught his affection in the labor of his hands -- the chopped wood, the caught food. Through the strength of his arms, she found the steel of her heart. His body told of his love, the scars bearing witness.