Ariel skipped, jumped, ran to Von, launching herself like a flying squirrel into his open arms. His eyes remained locked on John's as she wrapped her small arms around his crackled neck, her little legs around the bottom of his aging ribcage. Into his stiff carriage, she whispered words unknown, which neither repeated, nor at any future time, documented. This much is known. His parched skin relaxed as leather massaged with mink oil. He smiled and his arms, once frozen, moved, lifting Ariel upward as if holding a bag of giggles. She winked, a catch in her young eye that took breath as one twirls a banner before crowd.
"Where's Zoe?" asked John.
Von looked up from knee, Ariel holding his hand, their heads on the same plane. "A better place." His words, deep, sonorous, echoed in the chapel. Scene fades to black.
6 comments:
This was perfect Tree.
Appropriate that the scene fades to black... it lingers and shouldn't be brought to a choppy end. A gentle fading as the emotion sinks in.
I have to say that I adore Ariel. AGAIN. She deserves my praise.
I hope that you have a good week. Looking forward to Saturday and having a LSU fan for a friend? That makes it especially fun.
Jen, absolutely. I enjoy my sports but never cross the line of taking them for more than they are, entertainment, a chance to relax and enjoy the spirit of competition. May the best team win. :-)
Ariel is an angel. :-)
Heart-warming in the midst of the worrisome, only a few chapters ago her presence, her words, her self brought comfort, hope, a mooring for Em, and not for the first time has she held such a significant role amongst the adults that surround her, an angel she is indeed yet at the same time, not to lessen, it occurred to me how often this is the case, that in the presence of young children, the way they look at things, uncomplicated, unhindered, with open minds and open hearts as we all should hope to do, ease can be found, truth can be heard. Where once her place within the story was at home with her mother, many moments within would have looked very different were she not there and once again, as has happened so often within this story, one is left with the impression that fate has played its hand as was always intended. Beautifully written, the visuals of the embrace and the two of them heads level looking up at John, the two of them together is the sense given, hands held as they are, anchored, mind racing no more, wording the answer. Captivating and completely lovable, chapter and child.
I'm not sure why I find writing female children's parts so easy (both Ariel and Kyra). Kinda scary if I take the time to stop and think about it. :-D
I suppose, at the heart of the matter, is the enjoyment of spending time in the bubble of innocence. I find it easy to be trusting and naive toward motive, thinking the best of everyone, all the time. I'm still puzzled when the world doesn't work this way, which is more times than not.
launching like a flying squirrel! that is so original. The metaphor completely fits in with the frisky child!
Mona, sometimes I have no idea where these ideas, images, come from. Glad you liked this one. :-)
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