When light clashes with darkness there is no coming to terms. Instead, there is only the struggle for life and death until the annihilation of one or the other.
Dietrich Eckart
Ashley was positively ebullient and, consequently, all was bliss for Joe Hughes. As their motorcade rode along the mountain road, she snuggled up to him, wrapped her arms around his left arm, and laid her head on his shoulder. He awkwardly tried to reach across his body with his free arm to caress her but decided to give up the effort. He was more than content to live in this moment.
Joe was also happy to be home. There was no better place on Earth than Western North Carolina in the fall. The second week of November was a good two weeks after peak color, but the mighty hardwood forests still held on to a good portion of their golden glory before the hills and valleys settled in for their winter slumber. As they drove through the countryside, Joe delighted in every whisp of smoke alighting from the chimneys of each house and the smells of campfires lofting through the hills. The air was crisp and cool and the spirit of everyone around was high. All was right with the world.
Circumspice Literary 
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