Author’s note: In preparation for NaNoWriMo 2009, someone put up daily prompts on one of the forums. I did them in the spirit of warm-ups, but some of them turned into stories. Here is one such.

Prompt: I want to go home.

She put the pitcher of water down on the wooden table, and next to it the tumbler. He poured himself a glass of water and looked at her gratefully.

“Not much here,” he said.  “This tastes like wine—like the best wine I ever had.”  He licked his lips.  “Amazing how we didn’t appreciate any of that when we had it.”

She sat down and nodded ruefully.  “Indoor plumbing, the roof over our heads, the books…”

“Getting up on a Saturday morning and sitting out on the porch to listen to the birds.  Even if we were worried about money or the hassle at work.”  He wiped his eyes surreptitiously.  “The little cat that used to come and visit the yard.”

She hid her face, then looked at him—almost like a baby playing peek-a-boo, but a great deal sadder; it was more of a matter of seeing the same disappointing world that was already there.  That she knew was there.  “I want to go home,” she said.

He nodded, leaned over, and kissed her.  “We are home,” he said.

(Process information: 10/15/2009 3:20-3:24 AM, 180 words)