No I would not give you false hope
On this strange and mournful day
But the mother and child reu-nion
Is only a motion away, oh, little darling of mine.
(Lyrics: Paul Simon)
On this strange and mournful day
But the mother and child reu-nion
Is only a motion away, oh, little darling of mine.
(Lyrics: Paul Simon)
Kyra and Ariel held hands as John (and Von) departed, her little hand gripping Kyra’s finger tighter and tighter as her father vanished from sight in the isabelline haze. The two stood frozen in silence, each as alone as together, watching the empty fog as if thoughts were ice. As Kyra made a motion to leave, quick as lightning, Ariel snapped her arms around Kyra's leather clad leg as one might hug a tree, her tiny feet firmly planted on the top of Kyra’s black boot. Kyra looked down and smiled. Ariel avoided eye contact. Walking as if in a three-legged race, the two trounced about the transport's steel floor, fear camouflaged with giggles, energy fueled by avoidance.
“Ariel, will you excuse me for a minute?” Kyra quickly added, “I’ll be right back. Promise.”
“Can I come with you?”
“Would you like to go on a special trip?”
“Where?”
“Give me a minute. I need to ask permission.”
--
“Granted.” (The Unknowns)
--
“Ariel, did I ever tell you about my mother?”
“No.”
“Well, I lost my mother too. And you know what I miss the most?”
“What?”
“I didn’t have the chance to say goodbye. I wanted to tell her that I loved her.”
“Why didn’t you?”
“Long story, but let me ask you this. I want you to listen very carefully because I need you to understand what I am asking. Okay?”
“Okay.”
“I have a gift, a special ability. I can’t use it very often but I think I would like to offer it to you.”
“I like gifts. Can I have it now?”
“Yes, but before I show it to you I need to explain a few things.”
Kyra talked quietly and Ariel listened, her cherry face aglow in the wonder of things only dreamed. The two knelt together in the center of the transport, holding hands and touching foreheads, as a bright teal glow enveloped them like a snow globe. The rest of the crew claimed the bright light lasted mere minutes. Ariel argued it was hours.
When the light faded and their eyes opened as close together as the bond forming within their hearts, Ariel threw her arms around Kyra’s neck and whispered: “My mom says thank you.”
24 comments:
Only you. :-)
Just want to hug you for the sheer beauty and warmth of this chapter. And for the ease with which we move from Ariel clutching Kyra's leg to Ariel arms around Kyra's neck. Got home in time for JB, :-D, comment tbc. Loved it.
As always, your warmth is felt. Thank you Sweetest. :-)
Either I was already half-asleep when I read this last night before JB, or you have added to it while I was sleeping. :-) Must tell you, to hear CYH sung brought Em to my mind and remembering her as she stood, as she spoke those heartfelt words, enhanced the beauty of those put to music. The two, song and chapter, will forever be connected. :-)
More guided since the additions, the two scenes are no less poignant. Tears of one kind spilling, like a river falling it was that devastating to watch, as she clung to the person available to her, knowing she must be feeling so lost and abandoned, so hurt. Though shielded she would know particularly during his last mission that they posed danger, but with the loss of her mother she must not only achingly aware that the death even of her parent is a real possibility but that she would be relentlessly and harrowingly fearful of it happening again. Devastating, achingly, harrowingly, heavy words, :-), but still not heavy enough for this wringer of a frame. Had you left it there, I'm not sure any of us would have recovered. Instead you choreographed an emotional pirouette that turned tears to tearful smiles as Ariel went from feeling alone, to being held securely in a melding embrace of her mother's love and Kyra's loving arms. No words that suffice.
These were just about the most respectively heartwrenchingly and heartwarmingly beautiful scenes I've seen.
Unforgettable.
Brilliant.
That was beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, Tree... I could so feel that... sigh...
See Ariel's little soul touched and glowing with mama love...
Such a good/tender/wise thing for Kyra to do.
And fabulous fractals at the top of the page ! Went perfectly with the post !
Hugs,
Loving Annie
Sweetest, I did go back and clean up the opening and closing bits--the dialogue, I didn't touch. I wish I could see these chapters from the view of a reader. When I recently looked at some chapters from a year ago, stuff I'd forgotten I'd written, I was amazed at how it felt to read something as if I were reading it clean--that is, without all the garbage that is in one's mind as one writes. So, when I see you say what you say about these last few simple chapters, I'm envious. I wish I could see it as you see it. Instead, being so close to the writing, to the choices, the debates of what to say and how to say it, it is very difficult not to see the sausage making process of writing, to lament lack of time or imagination or choice. For example, the dialogue in this current chapter is raw and naked. So much more could have been written to fill out the frame of emotions with each utterance. Then again, sometimes I feel as if I tell too much and show too little (although the dialogue here does neither--lol). I know what I know when I write and my mind fills in all the blanks not written. In that sense I feel I rob myself--don't ask me to explain that. I suppose what I mean is, I don't get the chance, until maybe a year later, to discover the chapters, to see them within a different context and a blank slate, filling in my own blanks. :-)
Thank you Annie. I'll take those hugs, as many as you got. And I can clear my schedule too. :-D
Oh, how I wish I could have been in that bubble with them. And how I wish I could see now how that moment changed Ariel's life forever. And Kyra...cannot possibly go untouched with the giving.
As a mother with a daughter who is not in her life at the moment, this post particularly touches me. Shit. There I go crying again...seems to be water works week around here! lol
peace
Oh Grace, your comments are heartfelt and touching. Would be nice to have a Kyra that could take us to say a final goodbye to a loved one or two. Wouldn't mine one last meeting with my father. Seems one always has questions not asked. Peace to you my friend. :-)
I'm back... I just read all the posts I've missed between your blog and my RSS reader. What a great way to spend a couple of hours.
You've brought some "happy endings" in that filled my heart with joy. I sure there are still ups and downs but it feels good that love is what holds them together.
There are so much warmth and passion in the posts and I've enjoyed feeling apart of your stories again.
Big HUGS and kisses to you and Jack!
Karen, so nice to see you around. Jack and I have missed you, not to mention so much as happened in the story of late. I'm on the road again this week so there is plenty of time to catch up before the next chapter. :-)
Your new blog title fractal is awesome!
Thanks Deb. This one was my desktop wallpaper for several weeks. :-)
I'm ready... ;-) Bring on ...the other chapters.
I look forward to more when you get home. Give Jack a squeeze for me and I'm sending one for you too.
Karen, looking forward to getting home myself, at lease for a few days. Jack is never far and he appreciates you thinking about him. :-D
Cool! When did you change your masthead? It totally captures the essence of your blog. Very sci-fi-ly :)
Saffy, just a few days ago. Glad you like it. Plan on changing the image on a fairly consistent basis. As much as I like some of my images, I get tired of looking at the same one after awhile. You know what they say about familiarity.
I like the new artwork!
Thank you Sherry. :-)
Familiarity also breeds comfort. That's why chicken soup never goes out of fashion. Give me good old chicken soup over some tongue-twisting consomme anytime :)
"the two stood frozen in silence, each as alone as together"
I wait and you wait
Both in different ways
For the invisible tomorrow
I for the Pandora's box to open
To release my ailing soul
And you for the lid to come down
To stop more sorrows oozing out
Both in vain...
I am unloved and you are unloved
Yet we have learned to love
To give to take
To help be helped
Yes we have learned to love
A shame?
& now among these silent hills
Unperturbed
I let my mind wander to you
You and I
Both going on and on & on
Bravely facing the spoken filth
And on the way
We laugh we talk we smile we mock
But still I feel
That Together
We walk alone.
Mona, I am again amazed at the gifts you leave for me in these comments. You are truly a blogging treasure. Alone but together, you and I. I don't think I can add anything to that. Brilliant.
Lot to be said for that Saffy. :-)
Of course - who can forget Jack? ;-)
I hope you're home again!
Karen, just arrived home, at least for a few days. Back on the road again next week for five or six days. Seems the travel will never end. I'm exhausted. :-D
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