For a Moment

Laura sat with her friends, basking in the glow of celebration.  Her dream had at last come true; she was in print. There were additional rewards, contracts and acclaim pouring in.  She had at last arrived.  She enjoyed the jeers from her table full of pals and even the new comers who simply wanted to have a little fun. The excitement the letter brought was palpable; coating the restaurant in loud laughter and congratulations.  She giggled and blushed; bubbling with her comical tale of her reaction both on the phone and with the letter.  She was intoxicated by happiness and pride.  She'd even permitted herself to indulge in margaritas.  Everyone teased her because tequila was her weakness and arch enemy. The warmth of the moment crawled through her body and filled her with utter contentment.

He sat back, watching; enjoying from afar, her success.  Absently, he twisted his stirrer for his cranberry and vodka.  He reveled in the robust honesty of her laugh.  He smiled to himself remembering a time when she had shared those budding dreams with him on a quieter more intimate level.  He scribbled on a napkin and set it aside, ordering two more drinks. Her friends stood and toasted her mercilessly to get her to drink more margaritas.  He chuckled, knowing it always got to her.  Laura would be sorry in the morning if she kept this pace.  

More drinks appeared.  Laura sighed heavily and tried to ignore them but the toasts and jokes kept coming.  The waitress stepped in next to her and laid his drink down; a cranberry and vodka and the note he'd written. She looked up scanning the crowd for his handsome face...


Finding him, she immediately felt her body warm. "Dom tequila." she thought. But to see him heading for her with that irresistible smile, she leaned a little on the table, feeling her knees go weak.  He came through the crowded bar and stood at the edge of her circle of friends, appearing almost nervous.  Only a few of them knew who he was to her.  He raised his glass, relieved when she reached for its mate on the table.  She turned to find him dangerously close. Her smile was tight and reserved.

"Beautiful success for a beautiful woman. You deserve it." without waiting, he clinked her glass and took a drink; a big one.  Liquid courage.

To both their amazement she opened her arms, inviting him in to join them.  He stepped closer and enjoyed the saltiness of the tequila as he lightly kissed her mouth, his hand gently catching her hip.  She lingered with her eyes bright with affection; even now, quietly thanking him.  Her heart was pounding in her chest.  Somehow her friends seemed to be melting away.

"Could I just borrow you for a moment?" he asked against the hollow of her shoulder, placing another delicate kiss along her skin.  Her flesh burst in to goose bumps.  She smiled childishly and permitted him to lead her away to the shock of the others at the table.  

"Be right back." she waved lightly. "I promise." She winked at the few who were flashing warning looks and whispering behind their hands to each other.

To a quiet back corner she followed him.  "Isn't this far enou..." 

He spun and pulled her to him.  His mouth was powerful and hungry.  His hands were cautious but pleading along the curves of her body.  He nuzzled her neck, inhaling her perfume.  Her breath came in startled gulps as she struggled with where to put her hands first.  She remembered craving the feel of his body against, inside her.  She moaned at the ecstasy he could bring to her all too easily.

"Let me..." he whispered, beginning to explore over her clothes.  Hearing her soft whimper, treasuring the firmness of her body as Laura pushed urgently against him.  He whispered on her skin how much he'd missed the taste of her, taking the opportunity to sample her soapy softly perfumed neck.  He bent, tracing the neckline of her shirt and telling her it needed to come off.  He wanted her.

She moaned and cradled his head, raking her hands through his thick dark curls.  His arms encircled her; lifted her up. She balanced against the wall and in his arms.  She said his favorite word: please.

He growled her name; once, twice; touched her arm...

Laura blinked as the waitress brushed her arm while placing the drink on the table.  Embarrassed, she laughed and stared at it and the  familiar slash of writing that marred the napkin underneath.  She leaned in and asked who sent it.  The waitress smiled and shrugged disappearing in the sea of familiar faces.  Laura scanned the bar but did not see him.  She glanced at others who gave her nods and eager smiles.  She returned them politely but insincerely.  Her best friend handed her another margarita and Laura was swept away again in her personal glory; out of her silly wish and daydream.  At closing time, her friend helped her into the waiting car.  Laura took one last hopeful look back.  Seeing no one, she sadly got in, tucking the now blurred napkin in her purse.  She did not see him in the shadows.  He looked, seeing the drink untouched.  He sighed, finished his own and slowly walked out.

The moment was lost.






Just a quickie.  Sometimes, they simply do the trick.  Thanks for spending some time with me.  I hope to visit with you again soon.  It's always such a good time, don't you think?

Who's life

She thought she had used up all her tears but as the time drew near, fresh waves came along with the wretched memories.  Her body seemed to twitch in agony with each ticking minute.  Kerri paced and rubbed her hands.  Her stomach lurched and she threw up again.  All she could do was wait.  It was simple torture.  She showered for the third time and dressed.  She did not apply make up because she understood now it would only wash away.  The only thing that would stay was the pain and the honest words "I'm sorry."  She drove on auto- pilot, arriving more than thirty minutes early.   She thought perhaps maybe there would be some magical sign she would see that would change everything.  There wasn't.  She reached in her pocketbook and rubbed the papers.  They told it all.  More tears. More pain.  It was becoming unbearable.  She had nothing left; and she had forgotten how to hope.  She sipped from a water bottle.  It tasted like salt and she gagged. Kerri closed her eyes and prayed.  She begged Him for safety in the toughest end to a journey she'd not asked to take.  She scolded Him and banged her steering wheel demanding answers...well, just one...why?  She shook those papers at Him and sobbed so hard that the windows fogged.  She was distracted for a few minutes by drawing hearts on the glass.  Then, with a stuttered breath dragged her trembling body from her car and willed herself to walk up the steps; disappearing into the worst but only solution she had left.

He threw things together in an anxious rush.  He hadn't seen his daughter in what felt like an eternity and when they had been together they fought.  It was harsh and angry; the kind of argument that was silly but neither would back down, so it had become an elephant in the room.  He had to accept her choices, her decisions for it was ultimately her life.   He'd had to leave her and she had simply let him.  His heart was pounding and his hands shook.  Although he had business to attend before he could actually see her, his mind was racing, grabbing at words to say to her.  He muttered to his clothes how he'd been wrong to ruin their short time together; that he would never do it again.  For the first time, (Kerri would have been pleasantly surprised to hear) he was not interested in the rally.  He didn't want to be there.  He wanted to work on her and mending their relationship.  Since her mother died, she was all he had.  Any father would do this; want this.  It would be an awkward surprise, but he was certain they would put it all behind them.  He patted his pocked for tickets:  a flight, and a show after they had a nice dinner together.  It would be all right.  He sighed somewhat nervously, said goodbye to his home, heading out.  


Arriving a few minutes late, he met the usuals and they laughed; made tasteless jokes and talked nervously.  He gave out information and instructed them once again how it was to work.  They all knew their rolls and responsibilities.  He hoped this would move quickly and he could drive down the road to see her.  He glanced at his watch figuring she was still in bed.  She loved to sleep late.  She had scheduled her classes so she could get up slowly.  He smiled softly remembering her bed head and hearing in his heart her small sleepy footsteps as she shuffled out to share coffee with him.  He clapped a friend on the back and they moved out.  They didn't have far to walk. And he waited.


Her body was numb but her mind was shrieking and there were still more tears.  The nurse brought her tea and checked her blood pressure.  "Crackers?" She handed the papers back to the young girl.


Kerri stared at the floor, not hearing her.  She was remembering the tearing pain as he ripped at her clothes and the suffocating stink of mud and leaves as they were crammed into her mouth.  She was thinking of the contempt with which he took her body; beating and molesting her until she had passed out from pain and disbelief. She thought of how she had peed red for days and had to feel around her apartment because her eyes were too swollen to see. Her nights were filled with muddy nightmares and screams. Then that horrible day that she had realized she was pregnant.  She sucked in her breath at the plus sign on her pee wand; taking fifteen more to be sure.  She thought of how she had begun to hate her body and life itself because of the horrible seed inside her.  Kerri concluded only one of them could survive.  She drifted out as did the nurse.  When the meds wore off, she finally dressed and replaced her sunglasses, pulling the hood up around her face.  With shaky breath and weak knees she stood at the door with her medications, and her papers.  She banged them in her hand and pushed the door open; instantly berated with boo's and shouts.  Bile raced into her mouth.  New tears spilled down her cheeks as she tried to move down the walk.  Her car seemed to be parked on the other side of the world.  Jeers and calls stung her ears and as the bibles were stuck under her nose, she ducked and dodged feeling the edge of her sanity beginning to peel off like sunburned skin.  Then there was a "pop" and her belly began to burn.  She could no longer walk.  She sank to her knees.  At first, no one knew she had been shot.  The protesters thought she'd had an epiphany and that they were going to get to save her; until her blood began to spill on them.  They recoiled, touched only now by crimson tears.  She looked up at shadowy faces, hearing the word "whore" cast at her like a stone.  She reached up and for the last time spoke.


Hearing the shouting and seeing the crowd surge forward, he knew someone had just come out.  He was still at the back of the crowd when the gun went off.  He was stunned.  Shoving through the peaceful people who only wanted to help, he found the young woman crumpled on the walk and grabbed at her belly.  He screamed for spectators to get help. The small woman's face was covered with a hood and dark glasses.  Typical.  He pushed on her belly and told her she would be all right.  Softly, she reached for him, tucking the stained police report and the medical exams in his hands.  The voice was gentle and familiar.


"Who's life did you save today Daddy?"






I hope you enjoy the story if not the topic.  I know that it can be powerful and argument provoking which is not the purpose.  I'm glad you came over, as always and look forward to more time together.  

Hmmm I wanted to get here and write.  I redecorated my bedroom instead.  With Cheech away, I thought it would be a nice surprise and considering it hasn't been done in over a decade; LONG overdue.  The kids have been bad enough this week to owe me time; lots of it. So they rolled up their sleeves a hid their discontent and pitched in.

It turned out beautifully.  A wonderful shade of blue accented in chocolate and white. It's crisp and clean, refreshing and lovely.  He even LIKES it. Hooray!

The only problems we had were the dogs and the paint.  Winston decided that the cool brushes with pretty blue stuff on them just looked too dom good NOT to lick.  He stood there with "spa blue" around his mouth like he'd devoured a colony of Smurfs and flipped me the  "What?" look.  Birdie, suffering from OCD, couldn't stand the chaos caused by moved furniture, tall ladders and misplaced items so she tried to protect us from the evil aliens by biting at them.  Funny until you are trimming the top corning of a vaulted ceiling and the damn ladder moves.  I just tell people that's when the phone rang.

The kids were great considering they've never painted before.  They had some conceptual issues with "drop cloths" and why we can't hold the paint tray while painting, but it cleaned up nicely; except for the spot over by the closet.  I need new rugs anyway.

So I have been a busy girl.  Not to mention I began training.  Yep added a mile to my repertoire and kept my time intact.  I am MORE than proud of myself.  By spring I should be ready.  I struggled with some back trouble but am doing great now.

I will try to get a real post up this evening.  If not, you know why.  I'm pooped. Time for football and snoozing... I mean cheering. ;)

See you soon.
Love,
Tess

Our Tomorrow

"Sweetie. Go outside to play. I want to talk to Daddy." her voice was tight.  Even her daughter knew it was bad news.


"OOOOO you in TROU-ble Daddy." the little girl clicked her tongue and shook her head in sympathy.


"Lizzie." he grinned. "Do what your momma says."


The bright green shorts and orange pig tails flopped out the door with a resounding song:
"Daaaddy got in TROUUU-ble! Daaaaaddy got it TROUUU-ble!"


He watched her skip out to the yard and spin in circles; the sun stretching her shadow across the grass.


Gina wheeled around and pointed her finger at him.  "How do you sleep at night?" she hissed.


His eyes closed and he fought for control; calm.  A peaceful smile creased the mouth she'd been kissing for more than five years but now it enraged her.


"And all of this is a JOKE?" Her eyes flew open so wide he half waited to hear the wet "schlock" as they dribbled out of their sockets and on to the floor.


"No." he said quietly.


"Then you explain it all to me now.  Help me understand what's happened." through the gravel, he heard pleading and it hurt him to say the next words.


"No. It's better this way." it came out as a sigh filled with the knowledge that it wasn't better, not now. 


"Can I come in now? I'm bored." the little girl kicked at the top step.


"No baby. Not yet.  Go out and play with your  friends." her mother tossed over her shoulder.


"They're not out." she huffed.


"Play outside a little longer." Gina said, turning back to Aaron with renewed although quieter anger.


"You lied." 


"No."


"I hate you."


"No. You're mad."


"Oh No? How dare you tell me...leave."


"Now?" The tiny hands pushed on the screen as Lizzie peeked inside.  "I can come in?"


"NO" they both echoed.


"You don't want that." his voice was weak, unconvincing and her tears spoke much louder.


"Oh yes. Yes I do.  You won't explain where the money is? You "can't tell me" where you've been for the last five days?"  Her fingers snatched at the air like talons to make quotations.  "We have nothing left. No you and me, no future no nothing. You couldn't even tell me for the sake of our daughter?"


The last bit was what he was waiting for; the final blow. It hurt much more than he anticipated, but he took it all. Every stinging, nasty accusing word of it.  It would get better if she could just hold on a little bit longer.  It would be perfect for all of them; but not soon enough for her.


"You heard me Aaron.  Now or never."  Gina was tapping her foot.  At the rate she was going, he wondered if it would actually dig a hole it the rug.


"I just can't right now. It will ruin everything." It was now his turn to plead a little.


"There is where you are so very wrong.  Everything is already ruined.  You did it three days ago.  I hope she was worth every cent you spent, every lie you told because it cost you everything."  The tears came again in a hot disappointed torrent.  "This is bullshit"


He almost caved.  He almost broke down on his knees to take her in his arms and tell her everything.  He wanted to smell the fabric softener on her shirt.  He needed to feel her hands rake through his hair as she cried with him and most of all, he wanted to hear her tell him Yes, she loved him.  But he knew it wasn't the time. He knew he needed to wait, just as planned.  If he could weather the storm now, it would be more wonderful than it ever had been before between them.  She wouldn't care that he had been gone for a week and that the money in the account had dwindled. They would be on top of the world if she would just wait...


Gina's chest was heaving.  She was filled with regret and fury.  He had promised to never gamble again and they had done such a good job of putting money away to buy a house.  They had a savings account for their daughter.  They were moving in the right direction; so she thought.  She had touted it in front of the disbelievers: her family.  "See? He isn't so selfish.  He loves me. We will make it through and live happily ever after."  But he had disappeared.  No call, no note, nothing.  He hadn't even given her a heads up that the money was low in their account.  Ohhhh no. She'd been embarrassed at the market when she couldn't buy food for their family.  Their child.  When he'd come back, he was distant and secretive.  Phone calls were whispered and he was sneaking out.  He had fallen down and was dragging both her and her daughter with him.


"Who is she? Will you tell me that before you go?"  The words caused her mouth to go dry. They hung sourly in front of him.  He looked amazed....that she had figured it out? She snorted.  "I guess I was right. You selfish prick. Get the Hell away from us."


Aaron lowered his head in defeat.


"Now? I'm cold Mamma."


"NO LIZZIE. NO." The little girl turned and galloped out to the yard where she began to beat a ball with a stick.  Her friends called to her from across the way.  She waved.


Gina stomped around gathering everything that was his; tossing it into a pile in the middle of the floor.  Her breath grew louder and more forced as she dodged his hands like they were made of bloody rotting meat. His words stopped coming when she flashed him a look filled with something he'd never seen before; hate.


"Gina" he begged.


"No more. Never again. You are the most selfish, cruel, careless man I've ever known.  I've wasted my life and hope with you.  Well, no more." He watched as sweat glistened across her forehead.  She began to shake.  Her temper was slow to rise but it was way beyond boiling point now.  She continued to talk and berate him as she threw his things together.


"Don't Gina."


"...couldn't care LESS about us..." he heard and finally, she picked up the box and shoved it at him.  "Done. We're done." With that, she brushed her curly hair from her eyes and glared at him until he headed for the door.  "I'll pack the rest and leave it on the porch.  Don't come when I'm here. I don't care what happens to you from now on Aaron." she spat and shut the door so hard behind him the knob goosed him.


He slowly headed for the car.  Lizzie looked up from across the street where she was playing with her friend.
He put the box in the car and turned to call her over.  She was already half way in the road.  The car that was coming was going too fast to see her. Aaron screamed her name.


Gina heard the tires and the scream. She raced out the door and ran into the street.  Her heart was pounding in her mouth.  Her hands drrew up to her ears in an attempt to stop the crash and thud from bones meeting metal and glass.  She saw bright green shorts and knobby knees as a crimson rivulet wound around her little piggies.  Toes Gina had kissed and sniffed.  In the street lay her daughter. 


"No no no no no no" Gina just kept repeating shoving through the people who were gathering.  "My baby. No no no...Lizzie."


As she raced around the car she almost fell; tripping over the victim. Aaron.  He lay in the street, his body twisted and broken.  Blood seemed to crawl from every pore of his skin.  He stared at the street blinking slowly.  She froze feeling all of the anger pool at the soles of her feet.  Her body began to get heavy.  Her scalp tingled as her brain registered what she was seeing.  She cupped her throat and gasped, unable to speak until Lizzie rolled over; a small scratch on her head peppered with some gravel.  Seeing her mother in such a state of shock, the little girl began to wail.  "Daddy pushed me Momma! Daddy pushed me down hard!" Gina didn't hear her daughter.  She sank to her knees and cradled Aaron.  She smoothed his face and kissed his head.  The blood stained her mouth.  She thought she was wiping his tears as they rushed down his face, but they were her own.  She begged him to stay with her. She promised it would be all right.  She was wrong.  They would make it. She said she loved him. Sirens screeched into the neighborhood. 


He never heard her.


The hospital room was choked in silence.  She sat and saw through the television until a man came to take her by the elbow.  He led her down a hallway apologizing with each step.  Her feet scuffed the tile floor.  Her legs felt hollow and weak.  They stopped at a doorway where she simply refused continue.


"Mrs. Bellamy." he said softly.  I have your husband's things. 


"We weren't married " she whispered.


"Oh." he looked away embarrassed and disappeared coming back with an envelope. "I'm so sorry for your loss." With a gentle touch on the arm, he drifted off.


Gina patted the envelope feeling all that was left.  His money, his wallet and another small envelope.  She opened it and began to sob.  Reaching for the wall, she slid down to cradled herself.  The tears splashed painfully on the floor.  She let the paper drip through her fingers. 


My Gina, 


I know what you have been thinking and can not blame you.  But it is now time for the truth.  I DID go away.  I DID spend that money without talking to you.  I did a lot of things without your input and my hope is that this will be perfect.  You deserve no less.  You had faith in me when I had nothing; not even hope.  You have given me everything to live for: a family and love.  I want to spend the rest of my life knowing you, cherishing you and growing with you.  


I spent the money on our tomorrow.  It's ready and waiting for you if you'll just say yes.
I'll love you then; always tomorrow.


Aaron




The small engagement ring clinked on the floor next to the house key tied with a red ribbon.

Okay Gang,
It's really late and although I have a couple, they need to be finished.  I am going to work on them and get them posted mid week and at the end. Whew~ what a weekend.

My eye is fine thanks.  It seems that I was bit very near the eye during a fabulous game of flashlight hide and seek.  It's what I get for having the BEST hiding spot EVER! I am very glad I did theater makeup all those years in high school and college.  I needed it.

I really hope you had a great weekend. I can't wait to sit down (UNINTERRUPTED! ~ Geez!) and accomplish something; not to complain.  In a couple of weeks, I will go to Promises alone for a week. Hooray me! I have some furniture to strip and refinish and a ton of other things to do but first and foremost? Write.  I've missed it a lot and have some good ones "marinating".  I'll be glad when we can sit and share some time together.

Anyway, Happy Football (I'm kicking arse), Good Sunday and I'll see you soon.
Love,
Tess

Hey Guys
I need a few days. And as the old saying goes:

It's all fun and games until someone loses an eye.  Then it's just fun.

Yeah, I've got some eye issues so I need to take a few days off. I'm really swollen and the bruising is beginning.  I'm feeling about as lovely as Marcia Brady and her nose (for those of you old enough to remember) Now is the best time to master that Dragon app, huh? No time like the present. heehee.
No worries. I'll get there. Thanks for the wishes, positive vibes as well as the giggling and pointing. I wouldn't want it any other way.

MARRRRRCO?!

: P See you soon. Literally.
Love
Tess

I Can't

I remember posting that I thought this would be a long summer. I was wrong.  The kids begin again; my son in middle school, my daughter into 8th grade; headin for high school soon guys. OI!!!  In spite of some hiccups, we've had a good time for the most part.  But now, the kids are nervous.

"Mom, I don't know if I can do this." My son says in a quivering little boy voice that I've not heard all summer.  "I don't know where to go. I don't have my locker. I can't remember what my advisory is..." the anxiety forces his speech into warp speed.

"You can. It will be all right" I smile. We've been talking about it since the beginning of August.  We've walked through the school to memorize the pathway he wants to take. He is working so hard at being prepared and to avoid the detention he will get (... as the speaker during the orientation so emphatically stressed) for being even a minute late. He has checked with his friends and they are not in his advisory although they are in his core.  He wants to have them in his classes. Me too.

And without a word, his sister gets his copy of his schedule and rewrites it so he knows where he's going and at what time.  All information is color coded. The relief is palpable. His grin stretches wide and he gushes about how excited he is.  Patiently his sister tells him step by step where to go. He hugs her but she twists away and tells him he smells.

Later my little heroine comes to me and sits on my bed.  I stop writing and look up, puzzled by the tears in her eyes.

"I can't do it. I don't want to see those girls this year. I don't have any friends left. I'm alone...Mom...what do I do?"

I look away wiping my own tears for her quickly while pretending to mark my place.  The long short of it, is that my daughter had some girls who used to be her friends.  Used to be. If you ARE a girl here is the summary: There were three of them. Nuff said? There can never be three.  There is always one who will take the "beating" It was simply Maddie's turn and she was unprepared for the cold shoulder, silent treatment or for any of the nasty emails to hurt so much.  It has been a painful lesson for my lil girl. One I wish she never had to learn. But she is determined to walk in chin up and stand tall. I want to be just like her when I grow up.  She is brave and I admire her courage.

I've helped them get their bags ready. We've done the lunch drill, the clothing drill, the bus drill...and the drill to drive it all home. They confidently shake their heads when I quiz them:

"How many days to you buy?"
"Two Mom Two."
"Who is the only one who showers in the morning?"
"You Mom You"

But with all that laughing and cockiness, I see it. The nerves, the fear and the reservation.  We talk some more at the kitchen table ( the safest place in our house). I get solemn nods but I know. Deep down, they wonder if they can.

What do I want to do? I want to walk behind my son for the first day, showing him where his classes are, helping him get in and out of his locker fast enough, surviving the lunchtime speed round. I want to be sure he isn't picked on or told that his class is easy to get to if he would just take the elevator to the pool on the second floor...

What do I want to do?  I want to have my daughter find instant friends who will laugh at those others and say "Where have you been? We've been looking for someone JUST LIKE YOU....just like us...." and the flowers will sing and the birds will flit around her head like Snow White; pooping on those bad mean girls with unspeakable ferocity and volume.  I want to hang out at my daughter's locker and wait for those miserable little "hay-tahs"  I want to trip them. I want to be as ugly and childish as they've been.

But I can't.  So I will let my kids go and they will make it; surviving the war zone known as middle school and becoming a little stronger, a little wiser and a lot better.

Happy School Year.

In a Lifetime

Margaret loved her cottage; especially her little flower garden at the back of the house.  She spent hours outside tending and nurturing lovely snap dragons, roses, lavender, and many other colorful "children" as she affectionately called them. Her existence was quiet and simple.  She wasn't sure when she picked up her ghostly fan, but he didn't act like he wanted to hurt her. And so what began as a passing curiosity became many years of a most gentle, kind haunting.   She would faintly smell his pipe when he was around and heard his footsteps often.  If he was restless, he rearranged her books or scattered her papers.  He liked to play hide and seek with her things. She found this endearing; mischievous little stinker that he was.  She thought he enjoyed her flowers for there was the thin, sad cry of a violin  most times after she'd brought in fresh bundles, placing them about the house. She would catch glimpses of him, a dark shape moving elegantly across the room; her music lover she called him affectionately.  She found herself humming his beautiful music while weeding and as she came inside, she would raise her hand and brush softly, a tiny set of wind chimes to contribute a little music herself.   At the end of the day, she would sit in her rocking chair and wait.  He would mumble and whisper to her though she rarely caught full sentences; her lonesome, faded friend.  After a time, she noticed his visits and company became less frequent.  She wondered if she had upset him somehow.  Had he found a new friend on the same plane? She laughed at herself for her loneliness and jealousy. After all the years they'd "not" spent together, she was sad that he was leaving her. She lost herself in her "children" but always thought back about her silent partner.

Paul had been in the old house for months before he really noticed her; his little spirit.  He could smell the faint flowers of her perfume, occasionally seeing her shadow bustling about from the corner of his eye.  He was, of course initially startled but she seemed harmless, lonely; choosing to sit with him while he smoked his pipe and more so, when he played his violin.  Struggling as a musician for years, he had picked up and moved across the country, feeling he needed this new start; a new place, and a new life. He didn't count on a new room mate but when the frail rocking chair would shift and gently sway, he discovered a soothing calm.  Paul began to address her; asking if she liked what he'd done.  If she disapproved, books would fall from their perch or something personal would mysteriously  be "misplaced".  Sometimes she left in a huff by poofing the drapes.  If she loved what he was doing, she would ring the wind chimes softly out in the small now overgrown garden in the back.  He grew to enjoy her company; telling her things , sharing his music and daily struggles although he sometimes wished their barrier was more surmountable than life eternal.  She slowly became important to him; a confidant.  The months whispered into years and their friendship in his eyes grew quietly.  As his career and reputation took off, so did he; finding himself traveling the world.  It was just what he had always dreamed of  yet it took him from the house for long periods of time.  He left his little spirit alone and realized he how much he missed her. He thought ironically that she might be drifting away; upset or sad. Many days went by without a puff of the drapes, the smell of flowers or the clinking chimes.  He talked to her but not even the chair moved with acknowledgement. It was late one night, and  he was rushing home from a spectacular performance to share with his little muse that he'd been offered the chance of a lifetime.   


The night was brutal: rain fell in sheets making visibility almost zero.  In the dark, the turns seemed to bite deeply into the surrounding scenery. He had to slow several times as the route he'd taken for years became hazardous and unfamiliar in the storm.  Antsy to hurry home and quietly share his achievement, Paul found himself practicing the news for his invisible companion. Laughing to himself as he spoke aloud in the car, even searching for the right words and wondering if he could ask her to come with him.


 The crash had been awful and plastered all over the news.  After many uncertain days, he felt immense relief to find his way home; free to finally share with his favorite spirit some good news. As he approached the walk he smelled flowers and found a small pretty red head bent over in the back garden.  The blooms were colorful and lovely.  She stood and walked toward him, wiping her hands across her apron.


"May I help you?" she cocked her head and puzzled over his dark clothes.  He was still a little woozy and had to check the post box to make sure he was at the right address
"I live here" he said simply, his dark brow furrowing.
A warm light of recognition seemed to clear her apprehensive eyes. "You did once."
"No. I do. Here." he raised his violin case.
She nodded and waited patiently, her smile growing with each non heartbeat.
"I've survived a horrible ordeal and I need to rest." he said almost childishly.
"You did not." Her green eyes sparkled.
He sighed impatiently and stared at her.  " Miss, I assure you, I...."
She giggled and reached for his hand.  "Come then. I will make you comfortable." 


The chimes in the garden jingled when he took her hand and as the warmth of recognition flooded his body, he smiled when she at last welcomed him home.




I don't particularly like it. Structurally speaking, it is one of my better pieces but I fought this one tooth and nail to get it to achieve or accomplish anything. I've been sitting with it for months and finally decided to finish it and post it. Good riddance. I love the idea but I just couldn't get it to turn out right in short story format and I always try to keep it ... short. 


Unlike my "apology" here. Ha. 


I hope that you had a lovely Labor Day.  Safe travels my friends. I hope we can share some time soon.