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AUTHOR'S OTHER TITLES (2) Child In The Park (Short Stories) A story of a young boy in the park. [1,027 words] [Romance] Fall Breezes (Short Stories) Love and Leaves. [1,242 words]
Stop For Flowers Justin Kile
Jared rolled up his windows. It was too cold for late May. He sped up a bit, hoping to cut some time off of his trip and arrive at the hospital a little sooner. This road seemed quite empty as he drove through a small town on his way to her. There were not many people out; it was too cold. He remembered when this town was bustling and alive. He remembered his time in this small town; it seemed like so long ago.
He passed by the little deli where they used to eat. Turkey, ham, and cheese with tomatoes, but no mayonnaise, that was the sandwich they both loved. He remembered the park they would always visit to eat their lunch. She always asked if she had anything in her teeth, then she would turn away to blush.
Everything with her was exciting, and no matter how glum the day seemed, she always managed to brighten it with her smile. He had loved those summers, now long passed.
Jared’s thoughts drifted to when they had met. It was a cold January morning, soon after the New Year. He remembered her rosy cheeks and her quaint smile; they seemed to fit just perfectly on her face. The scarf she was wearing had brought out the green in her eyes as they looked up at him. It was always her eyes he remembered, even now. They could burn a hole right through him. He loved those eyes.
She seemed so innocent, all bundled up in her warm winter clothing. He remembered how she told him her name, Sara.
He remembered how she was warm when he embraced her that night. That was a good winter. But Jared had dreaded the winters after the first. For the winter meant school and shorter days. Summer was when he thrived, summer was when he was happy.
The summer is when he lived.
The past winter had been the hardest. He was away at college, and he was all alone. They came apart early that winter; she told him that distance was a problem. She said that change was in order, a new school, and a new life. He regretted not going to Brown with her. That winter was so cold and so dark. But, Jared had survived and was doing better.
Now as a new summer approached, Jared wondered if it would be like old times. The doubt circled over him like hungry vultures.
Jared looked up; he was passing the park now. He was tempted to stop, and even put on his blinker to make the turn up the driveway. He soon caught himself and flipped it off. He sped up again, now doing 7 miles per hour over the speed limit. He did not want to stop there.
He fell in love with her there, and she for him. He could still remember the exact day. A day in May, but much different from this one. It was warm and the sun was golden.
In the days to follow, people had asked him often if they were dating, and he would always blush and avoid the subject. He was afraid and embarrassed, thinking he never had a chance with the girl he loved.
How could he have known that she loved him just the same?
In July of that same year, destiny finally caught up with them. At an Independence Day celebration in the park, they had kissed for the first time, while lying under a tree watching the fireworks in the distance.
He still considered that day the best day of his life. Even after 3 more summers with her, there was never a day that compared to that first day with her. Jared can still close his eyes and remember just the way the wind was blowing slightly, and how the air smelled of sulfur and her. He could still remember just the way she tasted.
For three summers he had been with her. For three summers he enjoyed his life to the fullest. But at the end of his Senior Summer, things began to change. She became distant and worried. College was coming up, and they would be states apart. Sara was going to Brown, and he was going to Dartmouth. They had ended on a bad note, and for an entire winter they spoke only through friends and short emails.
56 miles per hour, he noticed. He was way over the speed limit. Jared slowed down and breathed deep. Those where the good days, he remembered. And now, he came back to this small town.
After arriving home for her spring break, Sara had an accident. Jared’s mother had called the ambulance because her car was hit in front of his old house. Jared wondered if she was coming to see him. He wasn’t home, so she had been injured for no reason.
She was in the hospital now and her life was very fragile. The doctors said she should be getting better. He had come home as soon as he could.
The ride to the hospital was a long one. He wondered why he was making the trip to see her. He wondered why he wasn’t out partying with his other friends. It struck him suddenly. He still loved her.
As he drove, he noticed a small flower shop. He decided to stop and pick up some roses for her. At first, he was going to get yellow, but decided on a Very light pink. His hopes for a renewed friendship and more boiled up as he paid the cashier for the delicate plants. This was her favorite flower.
Summer was coming, and summer was always good.
The hospital was cold, colder then outside. The hallways were filled with busy people, rushing this way and that. They all looked worried, but that didn’t damper Jared’s good mood. As he got closer to her room, he felt more and more excited. The elevator ride to the 5th floor seemed like it took an eternity. As he left the elevator, he danced through the hallways and whistled a cheery tune.
He was going to see the girl he loved the girl he has loved since that day in May, 4 years ago. The girl he never stopped loving.
He walked into her room expecting to see her sitting up with a smile on her face, those green eyes staring up at him. The eyes he had fallen in love with. He expected to hear that slight giggle which had made him smile every time.
Instead, he saw three doctors and he could only here the high pitched flat tone of a heart monitor no longer monitoring a moving heart. She had died 2 minutes before he arrived. He missed her because he stopped for flowers, flowers that now fell to the floor.
READER'S REVIEWS (2) DISCLAIMER: STORYMANIA DOES NOT PROVIDE AND IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR REVIEWS. ALL REVIEWS ARE PROVIDED BY NON-ASSOCIATED VISITORS, REGARDLESS OF THE WAY THEY CALL THEMSELVES.
"Devastation is the only word that comes to my mind after reading your story. You use such great imagery and development. Although the story ended on a bad note and saddened me, I'd have to say that i thoroughly enjoyed it!" -- ashley , mckeesport, pa, usa.
"What a sad ending, nonetheless, the story was excellently written. Great details!!! I really enjoyed your story, it definitely made me think about how precious the time you spend with your loved ones is. Keep writing, you have an excellent style!!!" -- Yasmine.
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