[Drama] A class assignment:

Took a creative writing module during a month long study abroad trip. Here's the second assignment (under 300 words) which needed to involve things we saw on a class walk we took through the woods to a graveyard:

Jake walked along the path and suddenly shifted his stride right to avoid a water puddle. The rain which had gone on all night before still hung in the air. He crossed another puddle and then entered the stone opening into the graveyard. The green ryegrass was kept tidy enough, but the rain made everything wet and muddy. Water pooled in spots and intent on keeping his shoes dry he made a bit of a fool of himself hopping back and forth between opposite sides of the path before arriving at the grave. Around a year ago he looked up from the brochure at his father. “A grave is a bit wasteful, isn’t it? I mean that one single spot for you for all eternity? It’s just not very green?” “I don’t think I’ll care about recycling,” the old man replied. “Besides, cemeteries are well taken care of. They’re always green.” “That’s not what I meant.” “I know that Jake but I’m sick. What do I care if the world dies with me?” Jake leaned over and swept away the grass clippings that had built up at the foot of the stone marker. This was the first anniversary and he was unsure of exactly what to do. He kneeled there, with his shoes sinking down and water pooling up around them. Nothing new came to him. He regretted that the words which had always come easy between them were finished. Figuring that he’d have plenty of time in the coming years to decide on a ritual, he waited only a few moments and then left the grave behind. A year had not dulled the sharp edges of the stone at all. It was still as grey and cold as the grass around it was green and full of life.