Light drops of rain fell gently upon the traveling figure, covering the entire body with its dreary dew. The moisture clung to the shining hair and dripped down onto the clothing of the stranger, but any effects of the water went unnoticed. The woman journeyed on, her eyes forever searching, sweeping over the foreign landscape in a desperate effort to locate her destiny. The cobblestones of the narrow street offered little rest for weary feet. Nevertheless, she pushed on. Nothing in heaven or on earth could keep the woman from this appointment now. She had been anticipating this rendezvous for countless months, months that had turned into years as the days flew past. Many a dark night her heart had filled with unspeakable joy as her mind reveled in the splendor of this meeting.

    Again and again she called out, her sweet voice echoing softly in the damp night air. The lone lady smiled softly to herself as her soul imagined the inevitable moment when all of her dreams would be fulfilled. She rehearsed the words that she hoped her lips would repeat; her trembling fingers enclosed over a small gift she had brought along for her beautiful friends. She had carried this present of love with her all the way from her own home and would not rest until it had to left her warm fingers. Other beings walked on the same path, each mortal seeking for their own destination. The clean rain had washed out all traces of dirt or dust in the crowded village.

    The woman stopped short as she almost collided into the form sprinting in front of her, taking large easy steps down the rough road. This man did not hold a single ounce of hesitation in his strong body. His confidence was quite catching and the woman smiled brightly as she addressed him, forgetting her own goal for a brief minute.

    "Hello, sir," She held out her free hand to shake his own. "Where are you going in such a hurry?"

    "Hi there little lady, "His reply shone friendly as the crowds of wanderers glided by, "I'm going to see some old friends of mine. Yes ma'am, I'm finally going to get to have some fun again with my buddies. I've missed them for such a long time that I don't even think I'll have the heart to tease 'em!" A tender laugh spilled out from his illuminated face. "Love to stay here and chat with ya, honey, but I've got a lot of catching up to do!"

    "Oh, I understand you completely, "The woman replied, suddenly remembering her own promise, "I need to get moving too."

    The man laughed again and with a jolly wink, he began to leave her in long powerful strides. Before he faded out of sight, the gentleman called to her over his shoulder, "By the way, dear, my name is Mike."

    After an hour of fruitless travel, the tired woman just wanted to sit down on the side of the street and cry. She had been so patient and come so far. Where were they? How could she ever tell them how much she adored them if they never showed up?

    A kind tap on her shoulder caught the stranger's attention and she turned around to give a gasp of surprise. Her long ago prepared speech disappeared as she looked into the two sets of familiar eyes. Two men, one so tall that he almost blocked the woman from sight, the other short but very muscular, reached to grasp her hand. The short blond man grinned in child-like enthusiasm as he looked upon her face.

    "I loved your biography, Loraine, "He chuckled quietly, "You made me very proud to have been an actor."

    "No, "the woman choked out a response to those lovely blue eyes, "You made me very proud to be a free woman. You gave us all so much, Vic. I wanted to tell you but..."

    "I know, "his manly voice interrupted her excuses, "Now we have all the time there is to learn more about each other. Some day I hope to see more friends; I'm looking forward to many, many more meetings like this." He gestured to the tall man, "Dick just arrived himself not long ago. All of those people were sad and mourning down there, but I was happier than I'd ever been. I was so impatient to talk with him that I ran to greet him before he even arrived. " A smile exploded from the pleasure of the not so distant memory. " God knows I miss them all, but I was just so glad to see Dick! Never felt so good as I did when I saw the big guy coming toward me; I just wanted to dance!"

    "I did too Vic, "The tall man chuckled, "I remember how much I missed you." The lovable giant faced the radiant woman, "Ma'am, would a nice lady like you care to join us both for a long chat and a picnic?"

    "Leave it to you to think of food first, Dick." The fair man joked. He then turned to his newfound companion. "We would be honored if you would join us." He added seriously.

    "Would I?" Her voice cracked into tears, "It's what I came for. Let's go, boys!"

    The three exited souls joined hands and began to skip up the road, out of the storm and into a country of brilliant warmth. Just before the sun shielded the party from view for all eternity, the woman held out her hand to reveal her treasured possession. Lying in the center of her hand sparkled a single maple leaf, its colors more perfect than that of any gem. Maple Leaf had come home to stay.