Dusk drew long shadows from the objects of the quaint suburban neighborhood. Yards were fenced with white picket fences, and a pack of unsupervised children rode their bikes down the street hollering to one another about the fantastical games they were playing even as they headed home. They paid no mind to the well dressed man they passed on the sidewalk. 

Hesperus walked along, whistling to himself as he admired the soft pink and blue and purple shadows cast on all of the whitewashed buildings. He kept his hands in the pockets of his slacks and the thump of his shoes on concrete gave a rhythm to his tune. An early autumn breeze teased his shoulder length golden curls and tugged at the edge of his blazer. It had been a long time since he had set foot in the human realm and he was enjoying seeing all of the new sights up close. 

Coming from the opposite direction, a mother jogged while pushing her infant in a stroller. He took a step onto the grass as she approached and they nodded to one another in that awkward politeness that strangers share. For a moment he stared after her, appreciating the athletic-wear that had become so prevalent in fashion this last decade. Slyly smiling to himself, Hesperus resumed his walk down the street until he came to his destination. A plaque on the house denoted that it was number 1417, and a hand painted wooden sign beneath read: “The Delaney Family!”

Still, he would have recognized the house without the signage due to the delightful garden that bloomed in the front yard. It was orderly with mulch around every bush and every blade of grass evenly trimmed. The potted plants on the front porch were neatly arranged in their brightly colored terracotta. She always did love gardening, he thought to himself as he reached out and pressed the doorbell, hearing it ring within the house. A moment later there was a cacophony of voices and the slap of feet on hardwood floors as the door was flung open by a trio of golden haired children. The youngest flung himself out the door yelling, “Hespers!” 

“Glad to see you too,” he said as he carried him in and the other two great-grandchildren flocked on either side, bubbling with excitement as they talked over one another in an effort to explain all the exciting happenings of their life. 

In the kitchen he found his granddaughter, Erythea, cutting up fresh vegetables. Setting down her knife and wiping her hands on her apron, she hugged and kissed Hesperus on the cheek before sending her children off. “It’s good to see you grandad. How was the trip?” 

“Same as usual,” he smiled. “Kids are getting big, Thea. Where’s that dad of theirs?” 

“He should be getting home from work shortly. Will you stay for dinner?” 

“I would like that,” he said as he hung his jacket on the back of a chair and rolled up his sleeves to help cook.