There was a red maple tree tucked away in the corner of the backyard. It stood naked, its branches slicing through the air like knives. Most of the red leaves were buried underneath the snow but a few were scattered like blood droplets.

The crisp air burned his nostrils as he blocked out the rest of the world. Ignoring the caterwauling of sirens, honking of cars, the howling of dogs out in the distance, only focusing on the peaceful moon, slipping between the ghostly clouds in the night sky.  It helped him see the spot between the two twisted roots. He dumped his duffel bag onto the snow, kneeling he zipped it open and pulled out a shovel and began pushing the snow away, exposing the bare earth underneath. striking the ground.

Heave, shove. Heave shove. Heave, clank. Benjamin struck the ground once more and heard the same noise. He looked down and saw buried in the frozen earth was a black box covered with rust. He dropped his shovel and with trembling fingers pulled the box out.

Taking the key that rested around his neck, Benjamin unlocked it. The box opened with a creak and revealed a collection. Inside there were photographs of a woman, in others where of her and a boy playing. There was one photo of her cradling a newborn wrapped in soft blankets. There were old baseball cards dated from 2006, chocolate kisses wrappers, and smooth pebbles perfect for skipping on water. There were also classical music sheets, old envelopes written to Rose and others to Benjamin. But beside all of these things, there was a bunch of wilted roses, collected over the years. The smell of the rotten roses stunned his eyes. It was the smell of death.

He began one by one read all of the letters addressed to him. addressed to him and read. Hi Benny! Guess what, the flower shop is blooming! Thanks to you, my strong man! Thank you for helping me out. Rose He placed that one away and opened another one.

Hi Benny, you have no idea how much I miss you. Your laugh, your jokes, your smile. The flower shop is empty without them. Why don't you come home? Rose.

Ben please come home I beg you. The things your father do are immoral, things I never want you to do. I don’t know how long I can keep doing secret letters, eventually he will discover them. Come home.

Rose.  

Benjamin, it looks like I won't be able to see you again. Just know  I love you. Rose.

Hot tears rolled down his cheeks,and clenched his fist. He grabbing a ball of snow and he hurled it at the tree.

“You were supposed to protect her!” He screamed.

“Now she’s gone!” He began punching he tree’s massive trunk until his white knuckles were stained scarlet. Panting, Benjamin sighed and reached inside of his coat and pulled out a single red rose. Fragile, beautiful and knife-like thorns, just like her. He pulled the rose to his nose and breathed in it’s sweet scent, before carefully puting it among others. Benjamin locked the box and lowered it down back into the ground. He took the shovel and began to fill back the hole. He spread his fingers across the rough bark, tracing each crevice with his thumb. Remembering the good times he had under the red maple.

He turned to leave when he felt a light buzz from his ripped jeans front pocket.

He fished out his phone and answered it. It was his father.

“You’re still up?”

Benjamin whipped his nose and tried to clearing his throat so his father would not hear him sniff. On the other side on the line, Benjamin heard him let out a frustrated sigh.

“You gonna move on boy.”