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| If you would like to join in the writer's challenge just click on the above bannerWeek 7 Topic: I Didn't Mean For That to HappenBonus points (hard, 2 points): Include a dance in a field of daisies.Bonus points (easy, 1 point): Mention Dr. Seuss and bananas.Final day to post: April 21, midnight GMTI Didn't Mean For That to HappenTired and restless from lack of sleep, she sat on the Lazy-Boy chair, listening to the sound of the emptiness.She looked over at him.He lay there sleeping, his breathing labored and wheezing.Sirens passing in the distant night then silence again.She wondered what time it was.She rested her head back against the chair, and just watched him.She hadn't realized she drifted off to sleep when the sound of a bell rang, startling her.She glanced at him again, his eyes closed, his mouth slightly open as he fought for every breath.She rose from the chair and drew the covers up across his chest.The sunrays streaked through the window curtains.It was morning.For a second, she wondered about the sound.She heard it again-- it was the doorbell.She walked outside the room to see that someone had answered the door.It was her nephew.She was expecting the nurse, instead it was her nephew, he would take over and she would take a short break.She stepped out onto the back porch and felt the coldness of the air sting her face.She sat down on an old crooked foldout chair, her back and legs aching.Time seemed to drag with each day-- yet, thinking back, a month had already gone by.She lit a cigarette, inhaling deeply and slowly.Above her, the clouds drifted lazily by, dotted with seagulls gliding across, filling the air with their busy-ness.She let out the smoke and watched it evaporate in thin air.Tears streamed down her face, like a daily ritual, she was unable to stop them.Her thoughts, once again, drifted back to happier days.???"I was about 8-years-old at the time.My best friend, Jenny, had the coolest bike in the neighborhood.A shiny blue Schwinn bicycle without training wheels!We had been best friends for a year now.I envied her.She was so lucky her Dad had a job that kept him home.My Dad was overseas a lot and I missed him terribly.When he was home, it wasn't long before he would leave again for overseas.I wrote letters to him, telling him how much I missed him, and could he hurry and come back home.I even wrote to him about Jenny, and her super Schwinn bike.How I wished I had a bike like hers.?Almost every day after school, Jenny and I would go to the playground.She'd ride her bike and I'd race alongside her.The bike always won.Jenny tried a couple times to teach me how to ride, but I was too afraid and kept falling off.Jenny would laugh, calling me chicken.She was the bold one.I was more timid.We did some silly things.Once at school, during lunch, we sneaked into the library and found a book by Dr. Seuss.Jenny read aloud, acting out the roles, and we would laugh hysterically, mimicking the characters, munching on our bananas.It's a wonder we didn't choke. |
| It's a wonder we didn't choke.We also found a book filled with large pictures of ballerinas, called Dance in a Field of Daisies.We imagined we were ballerinas in tutus.Jenny hummed some nonsensical tune.We danced on our tippy-toes, up and down the aisles, giggling in hushed tones, being extra careful not to bump into any books on the shelves.The aisles were narrow.Nevertheless, we tried to squeeze in side by side, twirling round and round.Then it happened-- Jenny's banana caught one of the books and all the books on the shelf started to fall; like dominoes stacked in a line, one falling after the other, making a loud thundering sound on the linoleum floor.We froze in our steps, hoping no one heard."Oops!Jenny whispered, "I didn't mean for that to happen!"Quickly, we gathered up the books, placed them haphazardly back on the shelf and ran out of the library as fast as we could, lest we should get caught.???Christmastime, Jenny and her family left on vacation.I missed her.It seemed to be the longest time ever.But then Dad came home!I was elated.Christmastimes were happy times at home, especially with Dad there.The house was filled with the scent of the Christmas tree-- Dad always bought a real tree.The stereo would play his favorite Christmas tunes.We helped decorate the tree and the house.And, we also helped Mom bake goodies.As the days grew closer, so did our excitement grow!We could hardly wait to open the presents under the tree.We used to shake the boxes and try to guess what was in it.Of course, we never did that in front of Mom and Dad.This particular Christmas Day-- I was up early and woke my siblings as well.Mom and Dad were already having breakfast waiting for us.I could hear them calling to us.As I walked into the parlor, and looked at the tree-- to my delight and surprise, right there next to it was a brand new Schwinn bicycle with a big red bow.I screeched with joy!I could not believe my eyes!I ran and hugged Dad so tight, that he laughed."She covered her face with her hands and sobbed-- feeling sorry for herself.Her niece came out to the porch "Auntie, the nurse wants to talk to you."She looked up and tossing the burned out cigarette, she wiped her tears and followed her niece inside the house.She dreaded talking with the nurse.It was never good news.Dad was still asleep when she entered the room.She walked up to his bed and held his hand as he slept.He looked so peaceful.The nurse looked at her and she could see the sadness in her eyes."You all have been so helpful in caring for him.It just breaks my heart to have to tell you that he has 2, maybe 3 days.The best thing to do for him."The nurse's voice trailed off she felt numb, tears welled up in her eyes again.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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