Paradise

 

Paradise

As she lay there thinking of home, with the waves crashing against the rocks, the sand running through her fingers, Jo couldn’t help but think of all the good times.

Here she was, in “paradise” and living the dream, according to envious friends back home, but Jo was miserable. Really miserable.

The sound of the waves sounded like it was someone pounding her head with a brick. The sand was scratching her delicate hands.

The tears came streaming down her beautiful face. “Dad why did you leave me” she whispered out loud, praying he could hear her. Nothing came back, but the crashing of those waves, those waves she once adored, those waves that once gave her so much pleasure to hear.

Jo’s life had changed now. Changed so much she didn’t know what to do anymore. Her head was spinning with emotions. The anger at her beloved father leaving her, how dare he. He had been there for 47 years of her life, then disappeared, without even a goodbye, a farewell kiss or one of his most amazingly warming, and comforting hugs. The despair of what to do with her life now? She felt empty and alone, very alone.

Jo sat up and looked around her. What beauty surrounded her. The palm trees swaying in the autumn wind, the humming birds pecking leftover breakfast she had left on the table behind her. Those most beautiful birds Jo once adored. A small group of children were making sand castles, with their bemused little angelic faces, chattering away to each other. Her friends Mike and Sarah were in the sea, holding each other as they danced over the waves, and giggled like school children as they fell over with the strength of the waves. That once would have been beautiful to Jo.

Nothing looked beautiful anymore, just nothing.

Jo could not see it. No, Jo was blinded by the grief and the mourning of her wonderful Dad. The man who was her rock, her idol, her best friend.

I just want to go home now, back to Scotland. Jo thought. But she would be leaving her paradise that once was. How could she take the shock so bad, how could she not deal with emotions like everyone else. “Help me Dad” she said out loud, “please help me”. Nobody seemed to understand her grief and her feelings.

Jo laid back on the beach, closed her eyes and the tears came again. The heavenly breeze caressing her body, soothing her mind like a feather touching her brow.

Jo was taken away from the reality and fell asleep. Deep asleep.

Reviews

[Nothing Personal]

I would love to know what happens next. It is a vivid description of despair and how seemingly beautiful places mean nothing to us when it comes to personal grief. This piece would fit nicely somewhere in a structured novel. You may want to write one :-) I liked your language. It fitted the mood and echoed the seeming meaningless of everything post loss.

[Goodbye]

I too agree with the other reviewers - you could make this into a full-length story with multiple chapters.. You really portray Jo's sadness so well...

[Wondering Mind]

very sad and well written. I agree with Marie, this could continue to tell more.

[Marie Harrison]

Very well written. You could almost have a part 2. It doesn't seem like that story is over to me!

[Bullet Soul]

There's a lot of grief and emotion in this story. I loved it, mostly because I can definitely relate to, having lost my dad myself. This is very well written! I hope you continue to write.