Clara Short Story Proposal

Exposition: Larry Pearce, in his 30's, is a retired soldier from World War. After several months back home in Connecticut, war nightmares come back to haunt him. He lives with his wife, Charlotte Pearce. He has three children. One 17 year old, one 13 year old, as well as a 9 year old. He didn't get to see them grow up and teach them what he knows about hunting, fishing, and other similar activities. Thus, he tries to connect with them, but they aren't interested. Larry is mad at himself and doesn't understand why this is happening to him.

Rising action: Larry wants everything to be like it was before he left for war. They were both happily married and the children were set for a bright future. But when he got back, everything was different. He wanted the world to stop, but he was stuck in the past. Consequently, Charlotte would get frustrated with him and ask him to do certain tasks, but he was incapable of doing so because he was so traumatized. The tension level in the household is starting to rise.

Climax: The tension keeps increasing among him and his wife. They no longer are in love they way they were. Mad, frustrated, enraged, Larry decides to runaway from his family for a few days. He goes to a nearby lake to seek some peace and time away from the outside world. He highly considers suicide, but right before he is about to kill himself, he thinks of his family. He then changes his mind and realizes how much his family needs him.

Falling action: After a few days of reflection, he returns home to his family scared to death because of his absence. He apologizes to them and realizes how much he needs them and loves them, even though it didn't seem like it beforehand.

Denouement: Larry promises to change and appreciate his family. Before he was misunderstood, but now he is a new person. He is thankful to still be alive and realizes how precious life is.