I helped them close the big loading doors to the truck.

It had been a long day.

.

The young men had gone out of their way to help me and with that help, we had managed to get about 50% of my stuff put away. All of the major pieces of furniture were where they belong and they had gone the extra step to unpack the kitchen and even helped put together the beds and such.

.

"Thank you guys so much," I said as I shook each of their hands.

As I did, I passed each of them an envelope with $250 dollars inside.

.

"Thank you. Thank you so much, Mr. Templeton," all four repeated.

.

I smiled.

"Well you guys certainly deserved it. You really did a great job. And remember, please, call me Will."

.

"Well, Will, we could come back tomorrow and help you finish," one of the young men suggested.

.

I shook my head.

"I appreciate the offer, guys , but, I think I can handle the rest.

Besides, I have waited a long time for this and I want the fun of setting things up the way I want them."

.

"Well, you have our number."

.

They got into the cab of the truck and moments later they pulled out of my garden and onto the dirt road that would bring them to the village and from there back to the highway.

I waved as they pulled out of sight.

They honked the loud horn of the big truck. It echoed across the water.

.

I stood in front of my wrap around veranda and took a deep breath.

Finally, I was home.

.

I looked out at the breathtaking view of the Atlantic Ocean, that stretched to the horizon.

It was this very view, that convinced me to buy this land, some two years ago.

I knew this was where I wanted to build my dream home. I knew this was where I wanted to live.

.

I smiled to myself.

Winning the lottery did have its advantages.

.

My life had been pretty much a piece of crap, up to the lottery winning, but now at 32, I was finally happy.

I had my dream home and I could concentrate on the two things that made me the happiest; writing and music. And not having to worry about money meant that I had all the time in the world to do both.

.

I jumped up on the veranda and went inside the house.

There were still boxes everywhere and I surely had my work cut out for me, but I didn't care.

I had more than enough time to put everything away.

.

But all that could wait.

Right now all I wanted was a tall drink of scotch and a nice fat cigar, to help me celebrate moving into my new home.

It was something I had planned to do for the last two years.

.

I took the 35 Year Old Glengoyne Single Malt Scotch from its wooden box and put it on a small table on my veranda. It was nearly $5000 a bottle, but I did not care. This was a special moment for me and price really meant nothing.

Even with the money I won, I had not changed that much. But I did indulge when it came to certain things in my life and my scotch was one of them.

I poured a nice drink into a crystal glass and sat in the well padded patio chair, next to the table.

.

I lit the Cuban cigar and took a deep puff.

It felt great.

Next a quick drink of scotch.

I looked at the glass in my hand.

"Now that is smooth."

.

I took another mouthful and refilled the glass.

I sat back, glass in hand and prepared to smoke my cigar and watch the sun go down.

.

I had only been in the village of Maynard's Rock for a couple short days, but in that time I had completely fallen in love with the people and the village itself.

There were less than 200 people who lived in the village and it boasted a single general store / gas station / motel / pub and town hall.

Most of the people who lived in the village worked in the larger centre of Corner Brook, which was only about 30 kilometres away.

.

Corner Brook was a city of over 25,000 and had most of the amenities that a larger center would.

But I did not want to live in a city.

.

I had grown up in the city of Toronto and simply became a nameless face that no one really cared about. I worked in a dead end job. I had no friends, no girlfriend.

I worked, went home, got drunk and the next day did the whole thing over again.

.

I had even thought of ending it all.

A $2 lottery ticket changed all that. A chance purchase.

.

I puffed my cigar again and blew smoke rings into the air.

.

"That stinks."

.

I sat still, not moving a muscle.

This time I knew I heard something.

I looked at the scotch in my hand.

"Can't be the drink. I've only had one."

.

I listened for the wind.

There was none.

I looked at the trees. They were not moving.

.

"I don't know why you would smoke those dirty things."

.

I turned slowly in my chair and looked toward the front door. I was sure I was going to see someone standing there, but there was nothing.

I drank the last of the scotch and put the glass on the table.

"Is someone there?"

I waited, but there was no answer.

"Please come out. I won't hurt you, I promise."

.

I got up from my chair and started walking toward the front door. I was convinced someone was inside the door.

.

"Don't come any closer. I have a knife."

This time I heard the voice very clearly. It was definitely a little girl's.

.

"At least I am not crazy," I said aloud, as I stepped back to my chair and sat down.

"At least, I don't think I am."

At that second, I was not 100% sure.

.

I reached across the small table and fixed the cushions on the other chair.

"Please come and sit with me."

.

"I still have my knife," the tiny voice reminded me.

.

I forced a smile. The voice was so soft, so gentle.

"That's okay. I won't hurt you."

.

I could feel a presence on the veranda with me. Maybe I should have been terrified, but I wasn't.

I actually felt very calm and peaceful.

I pointed to the chair.

"Please, sit."

.

"I don't like the smell of that cigar."

.

I looked at the $50 cigar in my hand.

I let out a long sigh. What a waste.

I snuffed it out in the ashtray on the table and then moved the ashtray to the veranda floor on the other side of me.

"Is that better?"

.

I could feel her coming closer.

I stared at the chair, hoping to see something, but there was nothing.

Yet, I could still feel her.

.

"I still have my knife."

.

I nodded and sat back in my chair.

"Be careful with it," I reminded her.

.

I could feel her next to me.

I smiled and poured another scotch.

We sat in silence and watched the sun go down.