The sky is almost green. It’s eerie, as though the world has grown sick from something. I usually enjoy the night breeze when I slowly roll down our long steep driveway. Tonight there is no breeze, no air at all. I want to run into Abby’s arms. I’m sure she’s waiting for me on the porch, like she always is. Ready to welcome me into to our new home.
Finally I leave the thick line of trees and at last the house is in view. But Abby isn’t there. Suddenly, the world grows even stiller. I hadn’t thought it possible. The stiller it grows the sicker I feel. Where’s Abby? She called today while I was at work. When was that? At last my car reaches its destination. Leaping out, I charge for the open front door.
“Mr. Sanders… Mr. Sanders, I only have a few questions for you tonight.”
Questions? I have one too. “Where’s Abby?”
The man across from me looks up with a strange look of surprise. “What did you ask Mr. Sanders?”
I glance around for a moment. Then I see her through the dark glass. Oh what a relief! She’s just waiting for me to finish with this police report. I motion that I’ll only be a moment longer. She smiles encouragement. Her hair is down just the way I like it. She never wears her hair down in public. It’s been a hard night for her, though.
Looking back at the man, I apologize. “Forgive me, I’m just a little out of sorts. What did you ask?”
The man glanced behind himself at the glass, then turned back to me. “What happened when you got home tonight, Mr. Sanders? Go through it slowly, please. Remember one thing at a time from the moment you got out of the car.”
“I ran into the house.”
“Why were you running?”
“Abby wasn’t on the front porch but the door was open. I was worried.”
“Go on.”
“I got into the house. Everything was a mess. The furniture was turned over and papers were everywhere. The safe was in the middle of the floor. I called for Abby. Nobody answered but I heard footsteps in the kitchen. So, I ran in. There was a man running out the back door.”
“Did you see his face?”
“No just the back of his head.”
“What color was his hair?”
“He was wearing a hat or something.”
“Did you try to follow him?”
“No, something else caught my attention…” I can’t remember what it was, though. I feel so hollow when I try.
“What was it that caught your attention sr.?”
“I…I…I can’t…” I start to cry, but I’m not sure why. What was it? What did I see? The man nods as though he understands. “I only have one more question for you tonight. Do you know where your wife is now?”
I look over at Abby, just seeing her there calms me. Her eyes are sad, as though she understands why I want to go. “She’s here.”
“Here?” the large man’s eyebrow lifts questioningly.
“Not right here, of course. But in the other room.”
He frowns a little before replying. “I see.” He stands up to leave. “Someone will be in in a moment to help you fill out some of the paper work. Then you’ll be free to go. We’ll be keeping in touch with you.” He turns to leave then stops and turns back. “I’d seek counsel if I were you, Mr. Sanders. It’s very important at this time.”
I nod as he leaves but all the counsel I want right now is the comfort of Abby’s arms. I wait for what seems an eternity, at last Abby glances at her watch and motions she has to go. Blowing me a kiss, she mouths that she’ll meet me at home. I nod and she’s gone.
After waiting another small eternity a smaller man comes in and asks question after question. I answer what I can and finally I am free to go.
It’s rained a little and the road is slick but I won’t slow down. I want to get home and into Abby’s warm safe embrace. I only have trouble with one sharp curve. Then everything goes still.
The sky is almost green. It’s eerie…
Jan 17, 2006
Maria, the Perfect
I'm not sure what the father says at the end is really what the story needs... anyone have any better ideas?
Once upon a time seems like a silly way to start a story but I really have no idea when this took place. So, in this case it will just have to do.
Once upon a time, in this very city, lived Maria. Maria wasn’t any ordinary girl. She was of the rarest kind. Her mother would smile at her and say “You’re my perfect little angel from on high. Oh how the good Lord blessed us the day you came.” Her father would cough a little and say, “You are everything we ever wanted. You’re the perfect child.” The cook would hand her a sweet meat and say, “Now there’s a dear. You always do do what’s wanted now don’t you? I’ve never seen a more perfect child.”
Maria believed them and always did whatever she was asked and never sassed and everyone always loved her.
Soon it was time for Maria to start school. The day before she sat next to cook the kitchen and listened to great stories of the fun she’d have. Then cook gasped, “Well now! If I haven’t forgot the eggs! Maria, do be a dear and run down to Mrs. Hanson’s and get me three eggs.” Maria nodded quickly and slid off her stool. As she slipped out the door she heard the cook say, “If she isn’t the most perfect child!”
As Maria walked she thought to herself. “What if she wasn’t the most perfect child? What would happen if one day she woke up and she wasn’t perfect anymore? Would cook still give her sweet meats and tell her pretty stories? Would the people still smile at her when they passed? Would her parents still love her? Poor Maria’s eye brown furrowed with these sad thoughts. Oh she was lucky to be so perfect. She thought of how much everyone loved her. She had heard a woman yelled at a little boy for being clumsy once before. She did feel grateful that no one ever yelled at her that way. And all because she was a perfect little angel.
When she got to Mrs. Hanson’s house she knocked and stepped in. Mrs. Hanson seemed a little cross but she quickly put three large brown eggs in a small basket for Maria to take home. “Good day Mrs. Hanson.” Called Maria as she walked out and turned to see if Mrs. Hanson would smile at her. Suddenly before she knew it, Maria had tripped over the door seal and was laying flat on top of the basket. Scrabbling up, Maria opened the lid of the basket. There she saw all three eggs splattered all over the inside of the basket.
“What have you done child!” screeched Mrs. Hanson from behind her. “If you’re not the clumsiest thing I’ve ever seen!” Scooping Maria up she continued to yell as she dusted her off. “Anna ought to know better than to send such a careless child to get the eggs. I guess I’ll have to give you three more. You weren’t out the door when you broke them. She’ll say it was my fault, but really, what a vain clumsy girl you are.” Maria felt tears welling up into her eyes. Mrs. Hanson roughly handed her another basket and pushed her out the door, not bothering to notice how close to tears the small girl was.
‘Clumsy?’ thought Maria ass she walked home. ‘Vain…’ no one had ever called her that before. She could feel tears welling up into her eyes. What would her parents say if they knew? IF they found out she wasn’t perfect. Mrs. Hanson was the only one who knew and look at how angry she had gotten. One little tear rolled down her chubby cheek. She daintily wiped it away and decided then and there she would never let anyone know.
“OH you’re back dear!” exclaimed cook as Maria walked in. “What a big helped you are. Thank you so much. Here’s a chocolate sweet to hold you over till dinner.” Maria took the chocolate, smiling her thanks, and went to her room. She was afraid to talk for fear she’d say something that wasn’t perfect.
The next day, mother took Maria to school. “You’re so quiet today.” She said looking at her daughter worriedly. “Are you afraid of school?”
Maria thought ‘Being afraid isn’t something that perfect children do.’ So she shook her head and smiled. “I’m excited to go to school!” she said, but inside she was very scarred. What if her teacher or one of the other children figured out she wasn’t perfect? Then they wouldn’t like her and worst of all they’d tell her parents. Maria knew she couldn’t bare that.
So, after mother left her inside the classroom, Maria found a quiet desk and sat down with her hands folded in her lap. Soon a little boy came up and asked what she was doing. “I’m waiting for what the teacher wants me to do.” She said nodding politely.
The little boy looked at her and then began to laugh. “You’re a funny girl!” he said bending over with laughter.
Maria felt quite distrot. Why was he laughing? Wasn’t that what she was supposed to do? The teacher was still greeting children as they arrived and Maria knew you should never interrupt adults when they are busy. So, Maria looked at the little boy and asked, “What am I supposed to be doing?”
He gave her a big smile, winking with his right eye, “You gotta have fun. It’s playtime! Here try this toy. It’s a doll, I don’t like it much but my sister loves them.” Maria had no idea how this little boy wanted her to play with the doll. She was afraid that if she didn’t do it right he would laugh again and the teacher would come over and see that she was not perfect. So, Maria turned her back so the little boy couldn’t see her playing with it. Soon the teacher came up and started the class.
That’s how the whole day went. Maria never raised her hand or said anything if she could help it. And the little boy would lean over every now and again to tell her what to do.
Maria was glad when her mother picked her up from school. She nodded happily when her mother asked if she had had fun, but when they got home Maria went up to her room and cried.
A knock came at the door. Maria rubbed all the wetness from her face. The doorknob turned in walked her father. Sitting up straight on the end of her bed Maria smiled as big as she could. “Hi sweetie.” He said sitting down beside her on the bed. “How was your first day at school?”
“Oh it was wonderful!” said Maria.
Reaching over father picked up Maria and put her in his lap. “Do you know why I love you so much Maria?” he asked hugging her tightly.
Maria felt a little lump in her throat and felt like she was going to cry. “Because I’m so perfect.” She responded finally.
“Oh yes!,” her father said. “You’re perfect for our family. You know that’s why it’s ok not to be perfect everywhere, or even to do everything perfectly, because you are who you are and that’s perfectly what we want you to be.”
“But what if I’m not perfect at all Daddy?”
“But you are perfectly you sweet heart. And don’t let anyone else tell you other wise.” Maria nodded and thought of Mrs. Hanson and the little boy. “Because you see honey,” her father continued stroking her hair just the way Maria loved it. “Nobody else knows what perfect is. So they really can’t judge now can they?” Maria shook her head. “You my sweet Maria are perfect for our family because you make our family complete. And we love you very much. No matter what happens.”
“Even if I’m clumsy and funny?” Maria asked her eyes growing big.
“Especially when you’re clumsy and funny!” Her father laughed. “Because that means you’re growing and learning and that makes us very happy.”
Maria laughed to and twisting around in her father’s lap she gave him the biggest hug a child her size could.
Once upon a time seems like a silly way to start a story but I really have no idea when this took place. So, in this case it will just have to do.
Once upon a time, in this very city, lived Maria. Maria wasn’t any ordinary girl. She was of the rarest kind. Her mother would smile at her and say “You’re my perfect little angel from on high. Oh how the good Lord blessed us the day you came.” Her father would cough a little and say, “You are everything we ever wanted. You’re the perfect child.” The cook would hand her a sweet meat and say, “Now there’s a dear. You always do do what’s wanted now don’t you? I’ve never seen a more perfect child.”
Maria believed them and always did whatever she was asked and never sassed and everyone always loved her.
Soon it was time for Maria to start school. The day before she sat next to cook the kitchen and listened to great stories of the fun she’d have. Then cook gasped, “Well now! If I haven’t forgot the eggs! Maria, do be a dear and run down to Mrs. Hanson’s and get me three eggs.” Maria nodded quickly and slid off her stool. As she slipped out the door she heard the cook say, “If she isn’t the most perfect child!”
As Maria walked she thought to herself. “What if she wasn’t the most perfect child? What would happen if one day she woke up and she wasn’t perfect anymore? Would cook still give her sweet meats and tell her pretty stories? Would the people still smile at her when they passed? Would her parents still love her? Poor Maria’s eye brown furrowed with these sad thoughts. Oh she was lucky to be so perfect. She thought of how much everyone loved her. She had heard a woman yelled at a little boy for being clumsy once before. She did feel grateful that no one ever yelled at her that way. And all because she was a perfect little angel.
When she got to Mrs. Hanson’s house she knocked and stepped in. Mrs. Hanson seemed a little cross but she quickly put three large brown eggs in a small basket for Maria to take home. “Good day Mrs. Hanson.” Called Maria as she walked out and turned to see if Mrs. Hanson would smile at her. Suddenly before she knew it, Maria had tripped over the door seal and was laying flat on top of the basket. Scrabbling up, Maria opened the lid of the basket. There she saw all three eggs splattered all over the inside of the basket.
“What have you done child!” screeched Mrs. Hanson from behind her. “If you’re not the clumsiest thing I’ve ever seen!” Scooping Maria up she continued to yell as she dusted her off. “Anna ought to know better than to send such a careless child to get the eggs. I guess I’ll have to give you three more. You weren’t out the door when you broke them. She’ll say it was my fault, but really, what a vain clumsy girl you are.” Maria felt tears welling up into her eyes. Mrs. Hanson roughly handed her another basket and pushed her out the door, not bothering to notice how close to tears the small girl was.
‘Clumsy?’ thought Maria ass she walked home. ‘Vain…’ no one had ever called her that before. She could feel tears welling up into her eyes. What would her parents say if they knew? IF they found out she wasn’t perfect. Mrs. Hanson was the only one who knew and look at how angry she had gotten. One little tear rolled down her chubby cheek. She daintily wiped it away and decided then and there she would never let anyone know.
“OH you’re back dear!” exclaimed cook as Maria walked in. “What a big helped you are. Thank you so much. Here’s a chocolate sweet to hold you over till dinner.” Maria took the chocolate, smiling her thanks, and went to her room. She was afraid to talk for fear she’d say something that wasn’t perfect.
The next day, mother took Maria to school. “You’re so quiet today.” She said looking at her daughter worriedly. “Are you afraid of school?”
Maria thought ‘Being afraid isn’t something that perfect children do.’ So she shook her head and smiled. “I’m excited to go to school!” she said, but inside she was very scarred. What if her teacher or one of the other children figured out she wasn’t perfect? Then they wouldn’t like her and worst of all they’d tell her parents. Maria knew she couldn’t bare that.
So, after mother left her inside the classroom, Maria found a quiet desk and sat down with her hands folded in her lap. Soon a little boy came up and asked what she was doing. “I’m waiting for what the teacher wants me to do.” She said nodding politely.
The little boy looked at her and then began to laugh. “You’re a funny girl!” he said bending over with laughter.
Maria felt quite distrot. Why was he laughing? Wasn’t that what she was supposed to do? The teacher was still greeting children as they arrived and Maria knew you should never interrupt adults when they are busy. So, Maria looked at the little boy and asked, “What am I supposed to be doing?”
He gave her a big smile, winking with his right eye, “You gotta have fun. It’s playtime! Here try this toy. It’s a doll, I don’t like it much but my sister loves them.” Maria had no idea how this little boy wanted her to play with the doll. She was afraid that if she didn’t do it right he would laugh again and the teacher would come over and see that she was not perfect. So, Maria turned her back so the little boy couldn’t see her playing with it. Soon the teacher came up and started the class.
That’s how the whole day went. Maria never raised her hand or said anything if she could help it. And the little boy would lean over every now and again to tell her what to do.
Maria was glad when her mother picked her up from school. She nodded happily when her mother asked if she had had fun, but when they got home Maria went up to her room and cried.
A knock came at the door. Maria rubbed all the wetness from her face. The doorknob turned in walked her father. Sitting up straight on the end of her bed Maria smiled as big as she could. “Hi sweetie.” He said sitting down beside her on the bed. “How was your first day at school?”
“Oh it was wonderful!” said Maria.
Reaching over father picked up Maria and put her in his lap. “Do you know why I love you so much Maria?” he asked hugging her tightly.
Maria felt a little lump in her throat and felt like she was going to cry. “Because I’m so perfect.” She responded finally.
“Oh yes!,” her father said. “You’re perfect for our family. You know that’s why it’s ok not to be perfect everywhere, or even to do everything perfectly, because you are who you are and that’s perfectly what we want you to be.”
“But what if I’m not perfect at all Daddy?”
“But you are perfectly you sweet heart. And don’t let anyone else tell you other wise.” Maria nodded and thought of Mrs. Hanson and the little boy. “Because you see honey,” her father continued stroking her hair just the way Maria loved it. “Nobody else knows what perfect is. So they really can’t judge now can they?” Maria shook her head. “You my sweet Maria are perfect for our family because you make our family complete. And we love you very much. No matter what happens.”
“Even if I’m clumsy and funny?” Maria asked her eyes growing big.
“Especially when you’re clumsy and funny!” Her father laughed. “Because that means you’re growing and learning and that makes us very happy.”
Maria laughed to and twisting around in her father’s lap she gave him the biggest hug a child her size could.
To have your Dreams
This is about 8 pages long... but it is a short story so it does have an ending...
Please give honest opionons of story line content...believability and characters
There was, so they say, one day of the week when you could see her, a solitary figure walking along the cliffs in a long flowing dress typical of the era. Aloof from all the world she walked the ridges with a grace that captured the imagination of every young man in the region. From adults to the grade school boys she was often the topic of praise, ridicule and always speculation. For, no matter how they wanted, no one had been able to make her acquaintance. Three years had passed since she had first made her appearance along the cliffs. First spotted by a young man named Nathan and his friends as they walked to his house after school. It didn’t take long for word to spread and now every week, on her special day, the road would suddenly become very busy and a group of young men would gather at the fence of the bordering farm. Every young man in the village swore if ever she deigned to come down she would be his. But though they searched none had discovered the path to those summits and so the girl would walk alone and some even said she sang. The older folk said it was a ghost of Mary Marlin who had died trying to reach it's summits twenty years before. But the young men of the village held the hope that she was real and everything their adventurous souls desired.
Nathan, the lad who had first seen her three years ago, stood at the base of the cliff where his small farm ended abruptly at the wall of rock. He was young to run a whole farm himself, nineteen, but his father had grown ill and leaving school was his only option. He leaned against his shovel and watched her slow graceful movements. "That's no ghost" he murmured.
"But she might as well be one," a gruff voice said behind him, as a worn hand rested on his shoulder. "Yes, sir, she's got all you boys drooling like a pack of ravenous wolves while there are plenty of sweet young things right at your sides."
"But Pa... the valley girls ain't nothing like her... she's got class, breading, beauty..."
"You can see all that from this far huh?..." the old man squinted his eyes and mockingly peered closer. "My eyes must be getting worse."
"Ah! get on pa... I've got work to be doing." Nathan shrugged his father's hand off his shoulder and pitched the shovel into the soft earth.
"That indeed you do... but not here. I need you to go on down to the village and get me some tabaco."
"But, Pa!... I want to see her get down... If I could just watch her once I know I'd find the secret and then she'd be mine."
"There's all kinds of holes in that logic boy... now get on down to the town. Maybe she'll show up down there and you can demand her hand there with little or no trouble." the bent figure chuckled rudely as he hobbled back toward the house. Nathan looked at the slight figure that now stood precariously close to the edge of a large drop. The wind tugged at her lose locks and a soft melody seemed to flow on the air. He sighed and savagely stabbed the shovel deep into the earth and turned toward the village.
No sooner had he bought the tabaco than Sam and Greg sauntered into the store. "'Did ya see her Nathan?!" Shouted Sam. "Wow, she's a look'n mighty fine today."
Nathan nodded. "I saw her."
"Well, seeing isn't much now is it? Anyone see can the girl.” Brandon, the Mayor's son, butted into the conversation as he entered the small store. "It's the gett'n that counts. And I'll be the one to get her in the end. Mark my words. It’s only a matter of time. I've all but got the mystery figured out."
Sam mockingly widened his eyes at the familiar boast. "You have Brandon?... Well let's hear what you got!"
"ring" the door opened and a small shabbily clad young lady came into the store.
Brandon ignored her entrance and pushed his large finger into the chest of the much smaller Sam. "Like I'd share my secrets with the likes of you."
Nathan stepped so his shoulder shoved into Brandon's. "Back off Brandon."
Brandon turned his head and glared at Nathan. Working the land had given Nathan the advantage of size as well as maturity his opponent lacked. "Fine by me Nathan... I'll take them happily to my grave... or maybe I'll take her to the alter first." he sneered “While you take your little rag-a-muffin.”
Nathan said nothing he just glared at his oponent puffing out his chest a little more as he folded his arms across it.
“Well, I guess look’n at her’s enough to make any man want to climb the cliffs.” Brandon made a quick duck as Nathan swung a warning shot and ran out of the store allowing the door to slam with a bang.
"So I guess she's gone?" Nathan said tersely glaring at the door
Greg shrugged "Yep. For today, I suppose"
Sam slapped his friend on the back. "Greg here's lost all his interest since Sally May agreed to be his. Our mystery girl has one less admirer. But she still has her most ardent admirer and shall never lose him!" striking his hand to his heart Sam made as if to swoon.
A soft laugh came from behind a near by shelf.
"Sarah," Nathan said and the small figure came out with a timid smile on her face. "What are you doing here?"
"Your father sent me." Sarah was the housekeeper for Nathan and his father since the death of Nathan's mother some five years ago. She was pretty enough but everyone knew she was too shy to talk to and nothing like the other valley girls. Her name would never come up among the boys unless it was to used as a cruel joke.
"For what?... he sent me only a half an hour ago for tabaco... he could have saved a trip." Sarah just shrugged and took her basket toward the counter full of odds and ends. "Well..." Nathan went on turning back to his friends. "Don't die of longing Sam, she may never come down."
"Oh," Sam responded with a teasing smile. "I wasn't referring to me. I've got a girl, Malinda. I was referring to you." he laughed out loud and the Greg joined him as they both sauntered out the door.
"Hurry up Sarah." Nathan said as he opened the door. "I'll be waiting out here for you."
The road home was a good half a mile and the two walked slowly in relative silence until they had left the town.
"Nathan?" Sarah finally began keeping her eyes on the ground in front of her.
"humm?" Nathan responded absentmindedly.
"Do you really like that girl on the cliffs that much?"
Nathan looked down at her and she looked back up at him. They were good friends. But, at odd moments he got the awkward feeling that she liked him and he didn't like the idea of hurting her feelings if she ever got up the courage to say something about it. "Oh just about like all the other guys I suppose. At times she seems so close... Like I've always known her. But, whatever the case she's probably from the other side of the cliffs where the rich folk live and there's not much hope there, huh?"
Sarah shrugged again. Then asked "So you don't think she's a ghost?"
He shook his head. "I'd stake my life on it that's she as much flesh and bones as you are Sarah." he saw a slight flush come to her checks. "Anyway,” he finally continued. "I suppose I shall never have the chance to find out. Who knows how she gets up there. More people have died trying to get to those cliffs than anywhere else."
"What if there's a cave?"
Nathan stopped in mid stride and stared at Sarah as she stopped and stared back.
"Well, of course" he said. "There are caves all around here... But they’ve all been explored long ago.”
“Not all of them can have been explored.” Sarah said tentatively. “And that’s the only way she could be getting up there if she’s not a ghost.”
Nathan stopped a looked at Sarah as though considering. “You’re right. That’s the only way. Sarah you’re a genius! All I have to do is find the right one!” He scooped Sarah up and twirled her around. “Remind me to invite you to the wedding." He said setting her back down and winking at her.
The fire burned brightly in the hearth as the three sat around it later that night. Mr. McCormack sat in a great rocker and smoked his wooden pipe as he contemplated the two younger people. Nathan read out loud a novel the schoolteacher had loaned him to help him continue his studies. And Sarah bent over a small sock of Nathan's, her hands deftly patching a large hole. Mr. McCormack smiled at the scene. Suddenly the book in Nathan's hand snapped shut bringing Sarah's eyes flying up. "Why'd you stop?" she asked. The evening readings were her favorite time of the day. Nathan stood up abruptly and leaned against the mantle.
"The woman asked you a question Nat-ma-boy."
Nathan looked at Sarah then at his father and back at Sarah. "I'm sorry Sarah, I'm done for the night..." he stood up swiftly and left the house allowing the door to shut noisily behind him. Sarah looked at the old man, who promptly nodded at her. She dropped the sock and flowed shutting the door with no noise at all.
She could see him by the slight light of the moon sanding not very far away staring at the cliffs. She walked up behind him and laid her hand tentatively to his shoulder. He gave a little jump. Then said with a smile in his voice "You know, sneaking up on people like that might just get you hurt one of these days."
She just smiled gravely in the dark then ventured to say, "She never comes out by night."
"I know," Nathan replied allowing his gaze to fall to the ground. "I was just thinking..."
"About what?"
"About a lot of things.” He paused, then asked quietly. “Sarah, do you think I'm a fool?"
"Of course not!"
"All the other fellows get over her and get on with their lives. They've all got girls and I... I've got a farm and a dream."
"Since when have you cared about what the other guys think?"
“It’s not what the other guys think. It’s just some times I just want a girl of my own, Sarah, a real girl, of flesh and bones. What if I spend my whole life waiting and wind up with no one?”
Stepping a little closer Sarah said softly. “If anyone in this valley deserves the best it’s you Nathan. You’ll get the prize in the end.”
Nathan suddenly turned toward her causing her hand to fall from his shoulder. "And what if...?" his hand reached out and took hers.
"What if what?" Sarah's voice whispered trying to hide how badly it shook for he stood very close. She felt his arm wrap around her waist and pull her toward him. "What if I got over her too?... What if I...?"
She could feel his face come closer and she turned her own quickly as his lips brushed her cheek and then drew back quickly. "Stop it Nathan." she said suddenly with surprising force. "It's not funny."
"Who said I was joking?" he laughed. "I'm giving her up. I'm sure I could love you if I tried." he leaned down again to try to kiss her.
"Stop it." she repeated and pulled away from him. "Would you?! Please don't... I would throw myself from a cliff before giving myself to someone who had settled for me!" she choked hoarsely. "I hope you find the girl you are looking for!” she cried. “But I pray you never find her!"
With the last statement she turned and ran into the darkness. Nathan stood horrified. More at what he had just done and said than at how she had responded. What had come over him to say such things? He thought about running after her but he waited to long. There would be no finding her if she really wanted to be hidden. He glanced at the cliffs then turned and went back into the house filled with shame and anger at himself and the world.
The sun shone down brightly and the sweat seemed to poor off his brow as he worked the ground. A hand lightly touched his shoulder. "I brought some water." said Sarah. He turned and took the ladle from the bucket gratefully. They hadn't spoken much since that night a week ago. He had watched her for signs of anger or hurt but she had managed to stay out of sight mostly and he had coward in his shame.
"Thank you" he mumbled turning back to his shovel. He heard her stand for a moment before turning to go. He turned quickly and grabbed her arm. "Sarah." she turned and looked at him. "I never apologized” he muttered quickly dropping her arm and his gaze. “for what I did the other night..." She didn't respond. "I'm sorry."
"Don't worry about. " she said stiffly. "You were worked up over stuff."
He looked off to the distance and said. "Sometimes I think I'm going crazy up here.” He wiped his forehead with his for arm. “Why can't I just be content with what I've got?"
"What do you have?" she asked.
"I've got land, and a father and ... you. I mean... you're a great help. I really don't need anything else, right?"
Sarah just looked at him for a minute and the pleading in his eyes. "You don't have anything until you want it Nathan. Right now all you want is your dreams... so all you have is a dream."
"How do I want what I have?"
Sarah shook her head. "If I knew... I'd be happy with what I have too."
"Aren't you?"
"Yes... and no." she sighed and looked at the cliffs behind Nathan. "I have everything I want but I can't enjoy it... I guess you could say..." she laughed ironically and turned to go.
"Thanks Sarah" Nathan called out to her. She turned and smiled sadly and then continued.
The girl on the cliffs didn't make her appearance until later in the afternoon after Nathan had taken his lunch with his father. She stood and looked down toward the valley. For awhile it seemed as though she looked at Nathan himself. He felt his heart leap and then fall. Had she really looked at him? Was there any reality to her at all? Whatever the truth was, he didn’t have her. He couldn’t hold her like…
He threw down his shovel and stalked into the house. His father sat in his rocking chair. "What you doing in here boy?"
"Where's Sarah?"
"She's gone out on chores... Isn't your little will-o-the-wisp out there?"
"Yes." he said impatiently. "Where'd Sarah go on chores?"
"I don't know boy. Don't you have things of your own to be doing."
"I'm taking a break."
"Well, while you're at it. Go down to town and pick me up some..."
The door slammed shut announcing Nathan's departure.
The young men had already gathered near the store to discuss the girl's appearance when Nathan reached the town. Brandon had a sly smirk on his face that irritated Nathan even more than usual. Sam and Greg stood talking in whispers until they saw Nathan approaching. "Hey! Nathan!" Sam called out. "Wasn't it the strangest thing today?"
Nathan gave Sam a look that told him he didn't know to what he was referring. "Weren't you watching?"
"For a little while." came the terse reply.
"She ran! Not that slow walk she always does... she stopped short of her usual..." Sam's voice faded out of Nathan's hearing as he saw Sarah hurrying up the road from the direction of the farm. "It's a strange tradition we have here." he remarked suddenly cutting Sam off mid sentence.
"Tr… Tradition...?" the confused young man stuttered.
"Yeah, I never noticed it before. She comes out... my father sends me to the town... she goes back in… we all meet up here and talk about her for awhile... and most of the time Sarah shows up for something and walks home with me."
Sam just stared at Nathan trying to see what was so strange about it. "Seems like a perfectly natural sequence of events to me." he finally mumbled and turned to talk to Greg again.
"Yeah, perfectly natural..." Nathan repeated to himself looking crossly in the direction of Sarah as she entered the store. "All very natural but for that girl."
He waited patiently for Sarah to come out turning things over in his mind. He loved the girl... the more he thought about it the more he thought it must be true... and yet...
Sarah was down the road a little way before Nathan realized she had left the store. She didn't wait for him though he called and he had to run to catch up with her. They walked home in silence but Nathan never took his eyes off of her. He thought over all the time she had spent in their house and all their talks. Everything turning over and over in his mind. When they reached the house Sarah stopped with her hand on the doorknob. Her head hung down shielding it from his view. "Nathan..."
"humm?" He replied still caught up in his thoughts.
"I have something to show you." she said with a sigh. Placing the basket she carried in the house she shut the door again and walked past him toward the back of the land. He watched her with curiosity but she didn't raise her eyes to look at him.
As they walked Nathan's mind began to settle and he knew what he wanted. She walked toward the cliffs and he followed. What could she possibly want to show him? Suddenly it occurred to him that he didn't care where they were going. The moment they were hidden from view... he'd say it.
Glancing back he saw that the house was all but gone from sight. Turning around again he saw she had stopped and was looking at him with her hand on the cliff wall behind her. A knot formed in his throat. She seemed very beautiful sanding there with a sad sort of look in her eyes. He cleared his throat and took a step forward.
"I found it." she said abruptly.
Nathan stopped a little dazed, then remembered she had brought him to show him something. He looked around for some sort of wounded animal. "Found what?"
"The cave...you know the cave that leads to the cliffs." Nathan stared at her silently not looking at the small whole in the rocks that she was motioning toward. "I...I found it the other night..." she stammered looking toward the ground to escape his eyes. "when I ran away... I just found it... I didn't want to tell you but... I thought you might like to know." she allowed her last words to fade away. Nathan didn't say a word. His mind had picked back up full speed. Looking at the small whole he demanded harshly. "You're sure it leads to the cliffs?" she nodded. He looked back at her for a long moment and then turned on his heal and walked away quickly leaving Sarah standing there with tears rolling softly down her cheeks.
The sun was long set and Mr. McCormack had long retired to his bed when Nathan finally stocked in. Sarah stood up swiftly and went to the kitchen without saying a word. Sitting down with a plot, Nathan dropped his head into his hands. Small footsteps announced Sarah’s return. He looked up and saw she had brought a tray of food, which she had kept warm for him. "Thank you." he said accepting it. She smiled and moved about restocking the fire. He watched her carefully. "Sarah..."he began. She squatted in front of the fireplace but didn't turn around. "are you happy here? Do you have what you want?"
Sarah looked silently into the fire, then stood up. "I think I'll turn in now. I hope you'll sleep well." She turned to walk out of the room.
"Sarah! Are you happy?" he demanded.
"No." she whispered then disappeared into the dark hallway.
‘No’... it ricocheted inside of him like a stray bullet... that's why she had shown him the tunnel... if he had a wife… she'd be free to go...
The silence that reigned in the house over the next week was too much for Mr. McCormack. He would prattle on about nothing till Nathan would abruptly stand up and leave, only now Sarah didn't follow no matter how Mr. McCormack nodded and winked at her.
Then the day came. After lunch Mr. McCormack had kept Nathan busy in the front yard working on the tinny flower garden. At last he returned to his work in the field. And there she stood in all her beauty and glory. The wind whipped at her dress and her hair. She seemed to look straight down at him. He looked back up but another face filled his mind. His heart longed for her. He saw her standing next to the fireplace in his mind. He looked carefully at the figure again and made a bow before spinning on his heel and heading down to the village where he was sure Sarah would soon make her appearance.
He had been standing there for a while when he saw Sam running up the road with a panicked look on his face. “Sam! What's wrong?" Nathan called as the young man sped past him.
"She fell..." he gasped. “She looked like she was crying… or…or something near the edge and she just tipped over!” taking a large gulp of air he continued running to who knows where.
She fell... Nathan froze. She fell...
His feet were running toward the cliffs but he didn't know it. All he could see was the dress as it wiped around her legs... her hair as it brushed around her face... He could see her more clearly and perfectly than ever before.
A large group of people stood outside the fence that surrounded his property. They stared at the cliffs where a small figure clung to a ledge her feet precariously supporting her on a tinny ledge beneath her.
Springing over the fence he ran even faster toward the base of the cliffs. Where had the cave been? He found it without much trouble. He heard a scream. The past five years flew through his mind as he scrambled up the passage praying the she could hold on long enough. The light of day blinded him harshly as he scrambled out onto the cliff and across to the ledge. Reaching down and his hand wrapped itself around the tiny wrist and quickly pulled her up.
Sarah fell sobbing against Nathan's chest. He clung to her fiercely. "You are never coming up here again!" he wheezed rocking her back and forth. "Oh Sarah..." In the distance they could hear cheering.
Sarah lifted her head and cried shakily... "I'm so sorry..."
"You should be" he murmured running his hand over her hair. "Let's get down from here."
They slipped into the hole but decided to stay inside till the spectators were likely to have gone. Silence reigned but Nathan held Sarah tightly.
"I thought I had lost you..." he whispered finally. "When Sam came running through and said you had fallen..."
"You mean you thought you had lost her..." Sarah said sadly pulling away slightly. She had stopped crying and had regained most of her composure.
"No...” he responded firmly pulling her back into his arm. “I thought I had lost you..."
There was another long silence then Sarah whispered. "How did you know it was me?”
“You are one and the same. If she fell, you fell. And you were what I cared about.”
“Since when did you know?"
"Since Sam said you had fallen." his arms tightened around her. "Why have you been coming up here all these years?"
"At first just because it was pretty, then… I heard what everyone was saying... and then I heard what you said and... Oh Nathan..." she buried her face in his shoulder.
"Do you mean you did care for me once?" his voice trembled slightly.
"I've always cared for you... I always will..."
His arms tightened and…That dark cave holds the secrets shared by the two lovers.
No one ever understood what happened to the mystery girl and why two weeks later Nathan McCormack, who had been her most ardent admirer and even held her in his arms, married the plain little girl who had been his housekeeper for so many years. But when Mr. McCormack lay dieing a month later he waved his new daughter-in-law closer. "My dear," he whispered in her ear. "I'm afraid I can't cover for you anymore... if you want to go cliff wondering you'll have to find a way to distract him yourself." he winked and kissed her cheek. "I always thought you looked prettier by the fire place than up on that perch of yours anyway."
Nathan slipped his free arm around his wife's waist. "I agree Pa. I agree."
Please give honest opionons of story line content...believability and characters
There was, so they say, one day of the week when you could see her, a solitary figure walking along the cliffs in a long flowing dress typical of the era. Aloof from all the world she walked the ridges with a grace that captured the imagination of every young man in the region. From adults to the grade school boys she was often the topic of praise, ridicule and always speculation. For, no matter how they wanted, no one had been able to make her acquaintance. Three years had passed since she had first made her appearance along the cliffs. First spotted by a young man named Nathan and his friends as they walked to his house after school. It didn’t take long for word to spread and now every week, on her special day, the road would suddenly become very busy and a group of young men would gather at the fence of the bordering farm. Every young man in the village swore if ever she deigned to come down she would be his. But though they searched none had discovered the path to those summits and so the girl would walk alone and some even said she sang. The older folk said it was a ghost of Mary Marlin who had died trying to reach it's summits twenty years before. But the young men of the village held the hope that she was real and everything their adventurous souls desired.
Nathan, the lad who had first seen her three years ago, stood at the base of the cliff where his small farm ended abruptly at the wall of rock. He was young to run a whole farm himself, nineteen, but his father had grown ill and leaving school was his only option. He leaned against his shovel and watched her slow graceful movements. "That's no ghost" he murmured.
"But she might as well be one," a gruff voice said behind him, as a worn hand rested on his shoulder. "Yes, sir, she's got all you boys drooling like a pack of ravenous wolves while there are plenty of sweet young things right at your sides."
"But Pa... the valley girls ain't nothing like her... she's got class, breading, beauty..."
"You can see all that from this far huh?..." the old man squinted his eyes and mockingly peered closer. "My eyes must be getting worse."
"Ah! get on pa... I've got work to be doing." Nathan shrugged his father's hand off his shoulder and pitched the shovel into the soft earth.
"That indeed you do... but not here. I need you to go on down to the village and get me some tabaco."
"But, Pa!... I want to see her get down... If I could just watch her once I know I'd find the secret and then she'd be mine."
"There's all kinds of holes in that logic boy... now get on down to the town. Maybe she'll show up down there and you can demand her hand there with little or no trouble." the bent figure chuckled rudely as he hobbled back toward the house. Nathan looked at the slight figure that now stood precariously close to the edge of a large drop. The wind tugged at her lose locks and a soft melody seemed to flow on the air. He sighed and savagely stabbed the shovel deep into the earth and turned toward the village.
No sooner had he bought the tabaco than Sam and Greg sauntered into the store. "'Did ya see her Nathan?!" Shouted Sam. "Wow, she's a look'n mighty fine today."
Nathan nodded. "I saw her."
"Well, seeing isn't much now is it? Anyone see can the girl.” Brandon, the Mayor's son, butted into the conversation as he entered the small store. "It's the gett'n that counts. And I'll be the one to get her in the end. Mark my words. It’s only a matter of time. I've all but got the mystery figured out."
Sam mockingly widened his eyes at the familiar boast. "You have Brandon?... Well let's hear what you got!"
"ring" the door opened and a small shabbily clad young lady came into the store.
Brandon ignored her entrance and pushed his large finger into the chest of the much smaller Sam. "Like I'd share my secrets with the likes of you."
Nathan stepped so his shoulder shoved into Brandon's. "Back off Brandon."
Brandon turned his head and glared at Nathan. Working the land had given Nathan the advantage of size as well as maturity his opponent lacked. "Fine by me Nathan... I'll take them happily to my grave... or maybe I'll take her to the alter first." he sneered “While you take your little rag-a-muffin.”
Nathan said nothing he just glared at his oponent puffing out his chest a little more as he folded his arms across it.
“Well, I guess look’n at her’s enough to make any man want to climb the cliffs.” Brandon made a quick duck as Nathan swung a warning shot and ran out of the store allowing the door to slam with a bang.
"So I guess she's gone?" Nathan said tersely glaring at the door
Greg shrugged "Yep. For today, I suppose"
Sam slapped his friend on the back. "Greg here's lost all his interest since Sally May agreed to be his. Our mystery girl has one less admirer. But she still has her most ardent admirer and shall never lose him!" striking his hand to his heart Sam made as if to swoon.
A soft laugh came from behind a near by shelf.
"Sarah," Nathan said and the small figure came out with a timid smile on her face. "What are you doing here?"
"Your father sent me." Sarah was the housekeeper for Nathan and his father since the death of Nathan's mother some five years ago. She was pretty enough but everyone knew she was too shy to talk to and nothing like the other valley girls. Her name would never come up among the boys unless it was to used as a cruel joke.
"For what?... he sent me only a half an hour ago for tabaco... he could have saved a trip." Sarah just shrugged and took her basket toward the counter full of odds and ends. "Well..." Nathan went on turning back to his friends. "Don't die of longing Sam, she may never come down."
"Oh," Sam responded with a teasing smile. "I wasn't referring to me. I've got a girl, Malinda. I was referring to you." he laughed out loud and the Greg joined him as they both sauntered out the door.
"Hurry up Sarah." Nathan said as he opened the door. "I'll be waiting out here for you."
The road home was a good half a mile and the two walked slowly in relative silence until they had left the town.
"Nathan?" Sarah finally began keeping her eyes on the ground in front of her.
"humm?" Nathan responded absentmindedly.
"Do you really like that girl on the cliffs that much?"
Nathan looked down at her and she looked back up at him. They were good friends. But, at odd moments he got the awkward feeling that she liked him and he didn't like the idea of hurting her feelings if she ever got up the courage to say something about it. "Oh just about like all the other guys I suppose. At times she seems so close... Like I've always known her. But, whatever the case she's probably from the other side of the cliffs where the rich folk live and there's not much hope there, huh?"
Sarah shrugged again. Then asked "So you don't think she's a ghost?"
He shook his head. "I'd stake my life on it that's she as much flesh and bones as you are Sarah." he saw a slight flush come to her checks. "Anyway,” he finally continued. "I suppose I shall never have the chance to find out. Who knows how she gets up there. More people have died trying to get to those cliffs than anywhere else."
"What if there's a cave?"
Nathan stopped in mid stride and stared at Sarah as she stopped and stared back.
"Well, of course" he said. "There are caves all around here... But they’ve all been explored long ago.”
“Not all of them can have been explored.” Sarah said tentatively. “And that’s the only way she could be getting up there if she’s not a ghost.”
Nathan stopped a looked at Sarah as though considering. “You’re right. That’s the only way. Sarah you’re a genius! All I have to do is find the right one!” He scooped Sarah up and twirled her around. “Remind me to invite you to the wedding." He said setting her back down and winking at her.
The fire burned brightly in the hearth as the three sat around it later that night. Mr. McCormack sat in a great rocker and smoked his wooden pipe as he contemplated the two younger people. Nathan read out loud a novel the schoolteacher had loaned him to help him continue his studies. And Sarah bent over a small sock of Nathan's, her hands deftly patching a large hole. Mr. McCormack smiled at the scene. Suddenly the book in Nathan's hand snapped shut bringing Sarah's eyes flying up. "Why'd you stop?" she asked. The evening readings were her favorite time of the day. Nathan stood up abruptly and leaned against the mantle.
"The woman asked you a question Nat-ma-boy."
Nathan looked at Sarah then at his father and back at Sarah. "I'm sorry Sarah, I'm done for the night..." he stood up swiftly and left the house allowing the door to shut noisily behind him. Sarah looked at the old man, who promptly nodded at her. She dropped the sock and flowed shutting the door with no noise at all.
She could see him by the slight light of the moon sanding not very far away staring at the cliffs. She walked up behind him and laid her hand tentatively to his shoulder. He gave a little jump. Then said with a smile in his voice "You know, sneaking up on people like that might just get you hurt one of these days."
She just smiled gravely in the dark then ventured to say, "She never comes out by night."
"I know," Nathan replied allowing his gaze to fall to the ground. "I was just thinking..."
"About what?"
"About a lot of things.” He paused, then asked quietly. “Sarah, do you think I'm a fool?"
"Of course not!"
"All the other fellows get over her and get on with their lives. They've all got girls and I... I've got a farm and a dream."
"Since when have you cared about what the other guys think?"
“It’s not what the other guys think. It’s just some times I just want a girl of my own, Sarah, a real girl, of flesh and bones. What if I spend my whole life waiting and wind up with no one?”
Stepping a little closer Sarah said softly. “If anyone in this valley deserves the best it’s you Nathan. You’ll get the prize in the end.”
Nathan suddenly turned toward her causing her hand to fall from his shoulder. "And what if...?" his hand reached out and took hers.
"What if what?" Sarah's voice whispered trying to hide how badly it shook for he stood very close. She felt his arm wrap around her waist and pull her toward him. "What if I got over her too?... What if I...?"
She could feel his face come closer and she turned her own quickly as his lips brushed her cheek and then drew back quickly. "Stop it Nathan." she said suddenly with surprising force. "It's not funny."
"Who said I was joking?" he laughed. "I'm giving her up. I'm sure I could love you if I tried." he leaned down again to try to kiss her.
"Stop it." she repeated and pulled away from him. "Would you?! Please don't... I would throw myself from a cliff before giving myself to someone who had settled for me!" she choked hoarsely. "I hope you find the girl you are looking for!” she cried. “But I pray you never find her!"
With the last statement she turned and ran into the darkness. Nathan stood horrified. More at what he had just done and said than at how she had responded. What had come over him to say such things? He thought about running after her but he waited to long. There would be no finding her if she really wanted to be hidden. He glanced at the cliffs then turned and went back into the house filled with shame and anger at himself and the world.
The sun shone down brightly and the sweat seemed to poor off his brow as he worked the ground. A hand lightly touched his shoulder. "I brought some water." said Sarah. He turned and took the ladle from the bucket gratefully. They hadn't spoken much since that night a week ago. He had watched her for signs of anger or hurt but she had managed to stay out of sight mostly and he had coward in his shame.
"Thank you" he mumbled turning back to his shovel. He heard her stand for a moment before turning to go. He turned quickly and grabbed her arm. "Sarah." she turned and looked at him. "I never apologized” he muttered quickly dropping her arm and his gaze. “for what I did the other night..." She didn't respond. "I'm sorry."
"Don't worry about. " she said stiffly. "You were worked up over stuff."
He looked off to the distance and said. "Sometimes I think I'm going crazy up here.” He wiped his forehead with his for arm. “Why can't I just be content with what I've got?"
"What do you have?" she asked.
"I've got land, and a father and ... you. I mean... you're a great help. I really don't need anything else, right?"
Sarah just looked at him for a minute and the pleading in his eyes. "You don't have anything until you want it Nathan. Right now all you want is your dreams... so all you have is a dream."
"How do I want what I have?"
Sarah shook her head. "If I knew... I'd be happy with what I have too."
"Aren't you?"
"Yes... and no." she sighed and looked at the cliffs behind Nathan. "I have everything I want but I can't enjoy it... I guess you could say..." she laughed ironically and turned to go.
"Thanks Sarah" Nathan called out to her. She turned and smiled sadly and then continued.
The girl on the cliffs didn't make her appearance until later in the afternoon after Nathan had taken his lunch with his father. She stood and looked down toward the valley. For awhile it seemed as though she looked at Nathan himself. He felt his heart leap and then fall. Had she really looked at him? Was there any reality to her at all? Whatever the truth was, he didn’t have her. He couldn’t hold her like…
He threw down his shovel and stalked into the house. His father sat in his rocking chair. "What you doing in here boy?"
"Where's Sarah?"
"She's gone out on chores... Isn't your little will-o-the-wisp out there?"
"Yes." he said impatiently. "Where'd Sarah go on chores?"
"I don't know boy. Don't you have things of your own to be doing."
"I'm taking a break."
"Well, while you're at it. Go down to town and pick me up some..."
The door slammed shut announcing Nathan's departure.
The young men had already gathered near the store to discuss the girl's appearance when Nathan reached the town. Brandon had a sly smirk on his face that irritated Nathan even more than usual. Sam and Greg stood talking in whispers until they saw Nathan approaching. "Hey! Nathan!" Sam called out. "Wasn't it the strangest thing today?"
Nathan gave Sam a look that told him he didn't know to what he was referring. "Weren't you watching?"
"For a little while." came the terse reply.
"She ran! Not that slow walk she always does... she stopped short of her usual..." Sam's voice faded out of Nathan's hearing as he saw Sarah hurrying up the road from the direction of the farm. "It's a strange tradition we have here." he remarked suddenly cutting Sam off mid sentence.
"Tr… Tradition...?" the confused young man stuttered.
"Yeah, I never noticed it before. She comes out... my father sends me to the town... she goes back in… we all meet up here and talk about her for awhile... and most of the time Sarah shows up for something and walks home with me."
Sam just stared at Nathan trying to see what was so strange about it. "Seems like a perfectly natural sequence of events to me." he finally mumbled and turned to talk to Greg again.
"Yeah, perfectly natural..." Nathan repeated to himself looking crossly in the direction of Sarah as she entered the store. "All very natural but for that girl."
He waited patiently for Sarah to come out turning things over in his mind. He loved the girl... the more he thought about it the more he thought it must be true... and yet...
Sarah was down the road a little way before Nathan realized she had left the store. She didn't wait for him though he called and he had to run to catch up with her. They walked home in silence but Nathan never took his eyes off of her. He thought over all the time she had spent in their house and all their talks. Everything turning over and over in his mind. When they reached the house Sarah stopped with her hand on the doorknob. Her head hung down shielding it from his view. "Nathan..."
"humm?" He replied still caught up in his thoughts.
"I have something to show you." she said with a sigh. Placing the basket she carried in the house she shut the door again and walked past him toward the back of the land. He watched her with curiosity but she didn't raise her eyes to look at him.
As they walked Nathan's mind began to settle and he knew what he wanted. She walked toward the cliffs and he followed. What could she possibly want to show him? Suddenly it occurred to him that he didn't care where they were going. The moment they were hidden from view... he'd say it.
Glancing back he saw that the house was all but gone from sight. Turning around again he saw she had stopped and was looking at him with her hand on the cliff wall behind her. A knot formed in his throat. She seemed very beautiful sanding there with a sad sort of look in her eyes. He cleared his throat and took a step forward.
"I found it." she said abruptly.
Nathan stopped a little dazed, then remembered she had brought him to show him something. He looked around for some sort of wounded animal. "Found what?"
"The cave...you know the cave that leads to the cliffs." Nathan stared at her silently not looking at the small whole in the rocks that she was motioning toward. "I...I found it the other night..." she stammered looking toward the ground to escape his eyes. "when I ran away... I just found it... I didn't want to tell you but... I thought you might like to know." she allowed her last words to fade away. Nathan didn't say a word. His mind had picked back up full speed. Looking at the small whole he demanded harshly. "You're sure it leads to the cliffs?" she nodded. He looked back at her for a long moment and then turned on his heal and walked away quickly leaving Sarah standing there with tears rolling softly down her cheeks.
The sun was long set and Mr. McCormack had long retired to his bed when Nathan finally stocked in. Sarah stood up swiftly and went to the kitchen without saying a word. Sitting down with a plot, Nathan dropped his head into his hands. Small footsteps announced Sarah’s return. He looked up and saw she had brought a tray of food, which she had kept warm for him. "Thank you." he said accepting it. She smiled and moved about restocking the fire. He watched her carefully. "Sarah..."he began. She squatted in front of the fireplace but didn't turn around. "are you happy here? Do you have what you want?"
Sarah looked silently into the fire, then stood up. "I think I'll turn in now. I hope you'll sleep well." She turned to walk out of the room.
"Sarah! Are you happy?" he demanded.
"No." she whispered then disappeared into the dark hallway.
‘No’... it ricocheted inside of him like a stray bullet... that's why she had shown him the tunnel... if he had a wife… she'd be free to go...
The silence that reigned in the house over the next week was too much for Mr. McCormack. He would prattle on about nothing till Nathan would abruptly stand up and leave, only now Sarah didn't follow no matter how Mr. McCormack nodded and winked at her.
Then the day came. After lunch Mr. McCormack had kept Nathan busy in the front yard working on the tinny flower garden. At last he returned to his work in the field. And there she stood in all her beauty and glory. The wind whipped at her dress and her hair. She seemed to look straight down at him. He looked back up but another face filled his mind. His heart longed for her. He saw her standing next to the fireplace in his mind. He looked carefully at the figure again and made a bow before spinning on his heel and heading down to the village where he was sure Sarah would soon make her appearance.
He had been standing there for a while when he saw Sam running up the road with a panicked look on his face. “Sam! What's wrong?" Nathan called as the young man sped past him.
"She fell..." he gasped. “She looked like she was crying… or…or something near the edge and she just tipped over!” taking a large gulp of air he continued running to who knows where.
She fell... Nathan froze. She fell...
His feet were running toward the cliffs but he didn't know it. All he could see was the dress as it wiped around her legs... her hair as it brushed around her face... He could see her more clearly and perfectly than ever before.
A large group of people stood outside the fence that surrounded his property. They stared at the cliffs where a small figure clung to a ledge her feet precariously supporting her on a tinny ledge beneath her.
Springing over the fence he ran even faster toward the base of the cliffs. Where had the cave been? He found it without much trouble. He heard a scream. The past five years flew through his mind as he scrambled up the passage praying the she could hold on long enough. The light of day blinded him harshly as he scrambled out onto the cliff and across to the ledge. Reaching down and his hand wrapped itself around the tiny wrist and quickly pulled her up.
Sarah fell sobbing against Nathan's chest. He clung to her fiercely. "You are never coming up here again!" he wheezed rocking her back and forth. "Oh Sarah..." In the distance they could hear cheering.
Sarah lifted her head and cried shakily... "I'm so sorry..."
"You should be" he murmured running his hand over her hair. "Let's get down from here."
They slipped into the hole but decided to stay inside till the spectators were likely to have gone. Silence reigned but Nathan held Sarah tightly.
"I thought I had lost you..." he whispered finally. "When Sam came running through and said you had fallen..."
"You mean you thought you had lost her..." Sarah said sadly pulling away slightly. She had stopped crying and had regained most of her composure.
"No...” he responded firmly pulling her back into his arm. “I thought I had lost you..."
There was another long silence then Sarah whispered. "How did you know it was me?”
“You are one and the same. If she fell, you fell. And you were what I cared about.”
“Since when did you know?"
"Since Sam said you had fallen." his arms tightened around her. "Why have you been coming up here all these years?"
"At first just because it was pretty, then… I heard what everyone was saying... and then I heard what you said and... Oh Nathan..." she buried her face in his shoulder.
"Do you mean you did care for me once?" his voice trembled slightly.
"I've always cared for you... I always will..."
His arms tightened and…That dark cave holds the secrets shared by the two lovers.
No one ever understood what happened to the mystery girl and why two weeks later Nathan McCormack, who had been her most ardent admirer and even held her in his arms, married the plain little girl who had been his housekeeper for so many years. But when Mr. McCormack lay dieing a month later he waved his new daughter-in-law closer. "My dear," he whispered in her ear. "I'm afraid I can't cover for you anymore... if you want to go cliff wondering you'll have to find a way to distract him yourself." he winked and kissed her cheek. "I always thought you looked prettier by the fire place than up on that perch of yours anyway."
Nathan slipped his free arm around his wife's waist. "I agree Pa. I agree."
Jan 11, 2006
2 quick poems
Not at all done... please give sujestions... if this is your area
Thus we stand on the brink of time
You and I holding hands
There is no sky, no floor
To hedge up our way
If we fall we’ll never stop
But if we jump…we’ll soar
No man may stand alone in this world
No two people may stand together
Only time and the winds that blow
Can hold us too forever
Now I do not believe this thing
And neither should you my friend
For here we stand together
A force greater than the winds
And more enduring than time
Thoughts on writing
Ok... so after I wrote that short story... yesterday in my home and family living class... the Prof told us about his and his wife's journey through cancer and her death last year... now my story seems very fickle and pail next to this story...because the whole family was united in their efforts to create memories over a three year period and to serving as much as they could together before she left... and it was just amazing!... there wasn’t a dry eye in the class room. Not because he told it with stile, he simply read the facts from a sheet of paper which to begin with was very boring… but then as the story unfolded, and you thought of your own dear ones and you wondered what you would have done in their place, you didn’t need beautiful words, nor dramatic detail. All that was necessary was a heart.
So here's the thought... is it worth writing if it's not of eternal value?... and what has fiction got that can compare with the true beauty of the hundreds of true stories of people over coming and soaring to the heights of divine nature?
There’s so much to write. So many stories. Everyone has them running around in their heads. ‘Today’s list of things to do’, or ‘The Secret Fantasy of John Smith’ or ‘The Night the Aliens Attacked, by little Bobby’ etc. etc. No mind is without thoughts of a fictional character… because even that list of things to do may never happen. But which ones are worth plucking out of the heart and mind and writing down? And which ones will inspire the greater living of reality and not just fantasy?
They say write what you know…. So this next story in an effort to do so… but… is it worth writing? That what I want to know.
So here's the thought... is it worth writing if it's not of eternal value?... and what has fiction got that can compare with the true beauty of the hundreds of true stories of people over coming and soaring to the heights of divine nature?
There’s so much to write. So many stories. Everyone has them running around in their heads. ‘Today’s list of things to do’, or ‘The Secret Fantasy of John Smith’ or ‘The Night the Aliens Attacked, by little Bobby’ etc. etc. No mind is without thoughts of a fictional character… because even that list of things to do may never happen. But which ones are worth plucking out of the heart and mind and writing down? And which ones will inspire the greater living of reality and not just fantasy?
They say write what you know…. So this next story in an effort to do so… but… is it worth writing? That what I want to know.
Jan 4, 2006
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