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Short story. [Wrote: May 2007] |
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 She listened to the soft hum of the blowing wind. In a meadow filled with lush grass, Wildflowers, Spring Bulbs, and Perennials is where she sat. She'd worn a spring gown. Her normal wear during this time. Its sunny yellow fabric and small floral pattern seemed able to brighten any one's mood. Maybe that's why she'd worn it. The skirt of the dress swam around her slender legs when she stood. Her hands rested together in front of her. She shut her eyes, hiding the bright green pools behind their lids. The untraceable wind had blown strands of light brown hair loose from her once neat bun. The wind felt so nice against her warm skin as she stood there. A gentle sigh slipped past her thin lips.
It seemed she sighed a lot these past months. She had much reason to. Her husband had been out to war. She prayed everyday for a safe and soon return. Yet to happen, she remained unable to think straight. Thinking off the subject of him was impossible. The maids around the house talked about her changes. "She's not eating much anymore," one said. "If she gets too thin he won't want her; if he even returns." Another one gossiped, "I wonder where she goes when she leaves the house all day. Maybe to another man's quarters?" They'd been to busy whispering to one another to notice she heard it all. But it didn't bother her. She wouldn't let it.
She knew the truth. She ate. They just didn't see it. When she went out, this meadow would be where she went to. Alone, until she left to the market and bought some bread and cheese to eat for lunch. After that she'd return straight back to the meadow till nightfall. Why the meadow though? What kept her coming? Why she came, it was simple. They'd met here.
One summer day, the weather was hot. She was just a girl at the age of thirteen, running from her Mother when she'd been giving out chores to her sisters and her. She hated chores; mostly because she'd end up having to wash the cloths and blankets. It hurt her hands. Left them pruned and blistered. So she ran off, saying she'd forgotten to buy something from the market. Though her Mother tried to stop her she'd been too fast and got away most the times. She'd run anywhere but home. Then that one day. She took a new turn and ended up at the meadow. It seemed to always be windy; it was still the same to this day.
When at the meadow she felt so alive. She'd run around in large circles with her arms spread apart, letting the wind push against her. One day she'd seen someone. A boy, not much older then her. Was this his families' field, she wondered. When she stared too long he had turned and noticed her. Too late for her to run and hide her face. He started over, so she patted at her dress and pushed down at her hair. When he approached all he did was say hello. That's how it began. From that day they spent every other day together getting to know each other.
It seemed the years went by like minutes. Everything was always perfect with him. The weather. The cakes they ate. How their parents didn't get too mad that they kept running off each day. Till her Mother passed away. She was seventeen at the time. She blocked off everything. Everyone. She stayed in her room for months. Something that drove the boy mad. He came to her house one day, tired of not seeing her. Tired of missing her. He had to push through her older sisters and new maids to get to her room. When he made it and closed the door behind him he went to her and held her. Not letting her go. Not letting anyone in. That gave something for the maids to talk about.
That's when she found that she loved him. That he was all she wanted. All she needed. Weeks went by as they both stayed in the room. The maids couldn't do anything but leave food out for them - which he'd bring in for her. She shared her food with him since they never brought enough for them both; trying to get him to leave the room, which never happened, and never would till she was ready. He did some times. At least they didn't know about it when he had or they'd never let him back in. During their time, they talked about everything. Yet all through the years before they talked there was always more they could talk about. The subject of running away together. They'd be happy together forever.
One day they finally came out. Holding hands as if they were never letting go. And for the longest time, they didn't. Her sisters were upset about this. Maybe a little jealous? They couldn't believe that their littlest sister was in love with some boy; wanting to leave them. They wouldn't allow it. So he stayed with them. She wouldn't leave him, and he wasn't leaving her. They were so happy together, and it was real.
One by one, each sister had left during the years. They all soon left till it had just been one. Her sister was only a year older then her. But, it wasn't long till she left with a man she'd fallen in love with. The two were together, alone now, the maids being the only other ones there. Not but a month later he'd ask her to marry him. She said yes with no hesitation. They got married at a small church. Just the two and the priest there. After, they'd gone to the meadow and spent the night on the grassy field.
While looking up at the cloudless sky he said something that made her heart swell with sadness. He was going to be leaving for war. She knew it would happen. Every other young man was being taken from their homes. It couldn't have been, though. But it was. And he was shipped off to battle. Leaving her at home in a pool of tears.
Half of a year passed already. She was lonely. That never changed. And she seemed to be an emotionless shell most the time. All she wanted was to know he was safe. Seeing other men come home to their wives and loved ones worried her so much. Not seeing them come home did so more.
She fell to her knees. Not caring that her dress might get irremovable grass stains on it. Her face rested in both her hands as she wept. God how she missed him. Not knowing if he was alive or not. Slowly it all had stabbed at her inside.
A hand rested on her shoulder. Thinking it was some elderly woman trying to comfort her, she waved for them to leave. His voice. His beautiful voice said her name. With shock and happiness running throughout her she turned and faced him. Was he real? She didn't know. She didn't even care. She pushed to her feet. Before she could swing her arms around him he already held her closely.
"I missed you so much," she said to him. Her words muffled into his chest as she held him tightly.
"I missed you more than imaginable."
Written by,
Stevie.
 oLeapster · Thu Oct 11, 2007 @ 12:55am · 0 Comments |
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