Far and Away
“It’s autumn.”
“Yes, mum.”
“Oh! It’s my favourite season of the year. I love the gold and orange leaves. I love the windy nights.”
“Sure you do mum.”
“Oh! Can I go and see my mama? She’d be waiting to have me sit by her side at the table. We’d have a lovely dinner together.”
“Oh! But mum, mama is gone.”
“What do you mean by gone?”
“I mean she’s no longer alive.”
“No, that’s not true. But when?”
“Oh! Mum, it’s been a very long time. I was still a young girl then.”
“Oh!”
She covered her face with her hands crying. Lisa went close to her to console her.
“Mum, it’s ok.”
“Then can I go to see my papa?”
Lisa was startled. She didn’t know what to say. Her lips trembled as she spoke softly.
“But mum, Papa is also gone.”
“You mean, he’s also dead.”
Lisa nodded.
“No! He isn’t. He’s at the train station waiting for me.”
She became hysterical. Lisa called the nurses. She was sedated. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she watched her mother go to sleep. She kissed her on her forehead. She couldn’t believe her mother could come to a shadow of herself overnight. It was like a dream to her.
Lisa was going to see her mother from time to time. At the dawn of a Tuesday, she got an urgent call from the hospital. She hurried down. Her mother was in critical condition. She sat by her side until evening. As the moon was taking its place in the sky, she gave up. Lisa cried
uncontrollably. Her only family has gone. She has been bereaved of her sisters years ago. Her children rallied around her to console her. At her mother’s funeral, she read her tribute.
Gone to a home beyond,
Gone to be with her kindred.
She battled the midnight man,
He prevailed and stole her away,
But he didn’t steal her soul.
My mother departed in the autumn,
Her favourite season.
You’re forever remembered.
She bowed her head. Tears streamed down her cheeks.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThompson, the dialogue in your story really stuck out to me. The way it was worded and used to tell the story before the story was revealed was ingenious. I thoroughly enjoyed reading your story of the pain one goes through when watching a loved one lose a part of themselves and the depth you created in those characters, words, and actions in less than 350 words.
Thank you, Bella. It’s a tough one to lose a loved one who has had a struggle with an ailment. It lingers long in the mind.
It is a heartfelt and tearful read, Thompson. And I really love the poem that is Lisa’s tribute to her mother. It’s a well-paced story. And the title is great. Lovely.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThank you, Lotchie for the lovely comments.
You’re always welcome, Thompson.
Sweet story, Thompson. I like the reference to midnight man.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThank you, Margarida. I’m glad you like the story.
I loved this story of a human being clinging to her past in her confusion. She must have felt safe and loved while she was a little girl… The grief her daughter feels is so genuine and raw and wonderfully described through your words. The poem is so lovely!
It’s hard to see a loved one become a shadow of themselves taken to the past. Thank you for the nice comments.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleWell done, Thompson, you have captured the pain and sadness of watching a loved one’s decline very, very well. In particular, how sad it is to have to tell someone again that a loved one is dead.
It’s indeed a tough experience and a saddening moment. It lingers long in the mind. Thank you for the lovely comment, Sandra.