He really didn't know what he was doing there anymore. It was clear she wasn't coming back. Very clear that he was not the one she was looking for. He hadn't even noticed things had changed, but he couldn't say he was surprised. She was a catch that somehow got tangled in his net - a rare find and he felt lucky to have had her for as long as he had. It was obvious it was never going to last.
All she had said was that she'd be right back. She was thirsty and wanted a drink from within the super market. That had been over two hours ago. Two long hours that he stood in the parking lot, waiting, watching the flower sit on the concrete, as if waiting for it to move. He knew it never would and it didn't.
She always wore a flower in her hair. It was always nestled in behind her left ear, hanging out for all to see, somehow matching her outfit perfectly. He never knew where she got the flowers from - she didn't grow them or buy them, but every morning, when she'd walk out of her room, a new one would be perched behind her ear. She said she wore them when she was happy and he never found it strange that she always had one.
As he continued to stare at the flower on the ground, the wind began to pick up, causing it to sway back and forth. He wanted it to blow away, to tumble down the street, out of sight - or for someone to walk by and step on it, crushing it - extinguishing it of life.
The thought of the flower accidentally falling out from behind her ear never crossed his mind.
That's why he knew she wasn't coming back.
Drew - I have said it before, and I will say it again - you should write a book of short stories and have it published.
ReplyDeleteThe descriptive detail of your writing allows me to paint a complete picture in my mind - yet, you are not overly effusive as you write.
You are a very talented writer - and you touch my heart with your writing.
ieyu, ilys!