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Prologue
A tiny figure in the distance pushed her way through the thicket into a large open meadow. A wide smile sat on her lips. She felt more than just happy she was… something. She hadn’t quite figured it out yet but she knew she was more than happy. The sun beat down on her casting a long shadow against the ground, shining off her curly brown hair and pale cheeks. She ran and twirled and danced, head raised high. Her hands landed on her knees to support her from falling, as she heaved breaths of air in and out. She sat herself on the ground, cheeks flushed from the running and dancing. Her hair once pinned up was now waving in the wind free, and untamed. The day was over and she was out of the dusty, damp storeroom that she worked it. The sun slowly was slipping behind the hills as night fell fast. Tiny stars danced across the sky above her, flitting to and fro. She ran her fingers through the soft grass next to her and sighed. She remembered how her mother would come to these meadows with her when she was young and run and dance with her. But then her mother became too weak and feeble to come and now stays behind working at the shop with her friend Deirdre.
The girl reluctantly stood and started on her way home, her mind wandering to more thoughts of her mother. She had the same blue eyes as her mother and long blonde hair. A drop of water fell on her shoulder, and she started to run. By the time she got into town her dress and hair were soaked through. She rubbed her arms to keep warm as she continued to run home. The stone streets beneath her feet began to become slippery and wet. Every chance she got she would stop under a doorway to hide from the rain even though she was already wet.
She reached her front door and opened it. Her mother sat in a large velvet chair in front of a fire, wrapped up in blankets. She smiled at her daughter in the doorway.
“Your soaking wet, Lillian. Here come sit by the fire and warm up.” She held out an extra blanket that sat on her lap. Lillian closed the door behind her, walked over to the fire, and sat on the rug.
“I visited the meadow today. It’s exactly the same from when you left it.” Her mother looked into the fire distant in her memories, as Lillian continued, “The wildflowers are starting to bloom, even though it’s a little early for them.” Her mother smiled, and nodded.
“They always bloom early when your there. They like your smile.” She wheezed the last few words, and started to cough.
“Are you ok, Mom?” She nodded her head. Clearing her throat she tried to sit up straighter.
“I’m ok, you don’t need to fuss about me.” Her hand lay on Lillian’s arm, frail and soft. Lillian worried about her mother, she’s getting old and fragile. Her heart sunk at the thought of losing her. Her hand cascaded down her clothes, almost dry, and fingered through her hair, drying in tangles.
“I’ll be down for dinner in a little bit, mom.” Her mother patted the side of her head and smiled, kissing Lillian’s forehead she sent her upstairs. She walked slowly up the stairs to her room, and looked into her mirror. Using a ribbon and some pins she put her hair up into a messy bun, and tucked a stray hair behind her ear. She’d rather have it down and free of pins and ribbons but her mother liked it this way. She walked back down to the dining room; clothes fully dry now and saw her mother already sitting at the table waiting for her. She sat down and smiled, looking at the array of food on the small wooden table her father had made for her mother when they got married.
“How’s Deirdre.”
“She’s doing good. Bridgett’s back from Arcata.” I smiled.
“Did she say how her trip was?” Her mother nodded as she reached for her glass of water.
“Its very windy around this time of year and --- Oh!” Lillian rushed to her mother’s aid as she started to fall, skidding across the floor. The glass shards dug into her knees as she knelt by her mother.
“Mom?” She lay there silent, but alive. Barely. She stood quickly and rushed to the phone.
“H-h-hello? Dr. Kentra?” Dr. Pamela Kentra. The town doctor and best friend of Lillian’s mother.
“What is it? What happened? You sound shaky.” Lillian could feel a wet drop slide down her calf as a tear traced her cheek.
“Mom…c-cant… get u-up.” She could hear shuffling in the background and another voice.
“Ok, don’t leave I’ll be there in a second.” The line ended and she went to sit with her mother.
“Please don’t leave me. Stay with me, mom. Don’t GO!” Lillian’s voice cracked and faltered, as she sobbed letting them soak into her mother’s clothing. A knock. Then a door opening. Voices. So many voices. Her eyes blurred and her thoughts scattered as she fell into the darkness that stood before her.
 FoolEveryone · Fri Oct 17, 2008 @ 05:12am · 0 Comments |
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