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Phoenix Rising
It was the smell of wood smoke on a crisp winter morning that reminded her. The crunch of boots on snow ceased as she stood for a while, eyes squeezed tight, inhaling the scent of long ago.
Or was it so long ago, that day they'd walked together, and he’d brushed snowflakes from her fringe before he kissed her gently and the world around her had disappeared?
The log fire in his cottage had warmed their skin as they’d consumed each other, then relaxed on the sofa under red tartan blankets, fingers entwined.
As the fire died down, he’d reached beside the grate and she'd inhaled sharply as she'd seen the box.
"Forever?"
He’d asked.
"Perhaps,"
was all she could manage.
She opened her eyes and walked on, away from the smell and the memories.
She opened her eyes and walked on, away from the smell and the memories.
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I can smell the woodsmoke too . . . I was right there. Well, not actually there. Sounds like a great story!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Jean!
DeleteHow can anyone consume each other when there's a potential fire hazard? Hope there was a fireguard? Nice story ;-)
ReplyDeleteToo true, Pete, I was thinking that when I wrote the story out but I'm guessing there was a fireguard. The characters didn't mention one though, ha ha.
DeleteI'm wondering why it was long ago? Did the cabin catch fire?
ReplyDeleteVery visceral. I enjoyed this.
Thank you so much!
DeleteI can feel her pain Rebecca, and a strong one it is. Great work!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Deanna!
DeleteGreat description in this one. Good story!
ReplyDeleteheartfelt emotion, pucks a real little kick
ReplyDeletemarc nash
Such passion and pain caught up in a short piece. Lovely.
ReplyDeleteAdam B @revhappiness
Perhaps not then, eh? Though of course we will never know why.
ReplyDeleteChihuahua sized piece with a mastiff's bite.
Ah, memories, they have a habit of leaping out at us at the most unexpected times.
ReplyDeleteOh beautifully visual and so sad.
ReplyDeleteIn very few words, you have created a melancholic atmosphere full of love, regret and loss. Rather beautiful.
ReplyDeleteGreat job, Rebecca. I love the title, it gave me an image to go right along with the story. And I love the juxtaposition of imagery between the Phoenix and the snow - beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWhat an evocative bite of fiction.
ReplyDelete