Chapter One

Chapter one of Mirrors

            

      --Chapter 1--

                                                         

When I was little my father held me in his lap, and pointed out to me the constellations in the stars. Orion the hunter, Lepus the hare, Taurus the bull, but I never payed attention. My eyes always found the moon that stood out among the puny orbs of light. It was always the most beautiful thing in the sky.  My tenth birthday present was even a telescope, curtsey of father. Then when I was 14, at eighth grade graduation, they asked us what we wanted to be, I’d stared directly into my father’s eyes and said astronomer, he had been so proud.

But my face is numb against the bite of the frigid wind as it threatens to blow us all away. My eyes glued firmly to the black, sleek casket before me when they step forward to lower him into the ground. I try not to think about the fact that he was denied a proper funeral, my father. He’d served in the American air force for most of his life as a young man before marrying my mother.

But he had put it strictly in his will to be buried in Oaks Meadow Cemetery. Also had demanded to not have a military funeral, though he was discharged honorably. 

I feel mothers soft leather gloved hand slip into mine; I squeeze her trembling fingers twice. No one knows why he did it per say. But I remember the disbelief and the shock wave that was barely noted shimmy up my spin, when I found him in a puddle of his own blood on the bathroom floor. I sometimes fear that the image is forever painted on the back of my eye lids.

“Goodbye Vinny.” I glance up to see my Aunt Catlin on her knees just a few feet from the six foot hole, her head in her tan hands. She was the only soul here that didn’t wear black. I narrow my eyes at her bright yellow dress that flows in a floral pattern of pink roses from her waist down, ending in white lace trim. The rest of his siblings had either worn black tuxedos or a black shirt and a skirt. I had settled for a billowy tank and dark denim carpers.

“Come on,” I nudged mom gently in the shoulder in taking her forearm. “It’s time to say good bye.” My voice was a soft and firm as possible with the tears brimming in my eyes that I was so desperate to blink away, if not for her sake, mine.

She seemed frozen with her red, puffy eyes glazed over in thought, somewhere that I couldn’t reach her. “Mom?” I tried again but I hoped that it wasn’t my imagination when I heard my voice waver.

Most of the grieving family members of mine had fallen away like the leafs from the dying tree’s that loom over our heads. All returning to their cars, and going back to their lives. I couldn’t help wondering how hard it really was for any of them, or if hard at all. I barely recognized most of them, save for his brothers and sisters who only came around at Christmas. I knew though, that by the way mom dropped to her knees then like Catlin had a few minutes ago and stared blankly at the grave as loads of dirt slowly filled it, that she was not going to be okay.

Without hesitating I dropped down beside her and rubbed slow soothing circles in her back like she had done to me so many times before. The sobs that began to escape her throat and wrack her body sent painful chills across my skin. “It’s ok,” I whisper to assure myself or her more I wasn’t sure. Mom reaches out a shaking hand and takes my forearm in a bone crunching grip.

“S ‘cuse me, miss.” It took a moment for the voice to register in my weeping mind. I lift my eyes and they connect with the eyes of my Uncle George. “Oh,” I stutter and attempt to stand but mom only tightens her grip and I bit down on my lip. “Vincenza, I didn’t recognize you.” He attempts a cheerful voice for whatever reason unknown to me with a smile that doesn’t reach his chocolate brown eyes.

Uncle George is a man as closely related to my childhood image of Santa Claus as possible. With his round bulging belly and hardy laugh. But there isn’t any sign of the jolly man that I remember bringing me the best gifts every holiday. In his place is a still very white haired man with a worn and tired expression, even dark purple smudges underneath his eyes.  

“Its fine.” I reply sharper than intended. He too lowers himself to the green poky grass with a grunt, and asks my mom to look at him. She resists, but finally releases her grip on my arm, sniffs, wipes her eyes and takes a fresh breath of the cool evening air. The faint whisper of the trees caught up in their own private conversation fills my ears, along with the bark of a squirrel across the grounds as mom appears to be once again lost in thought with a blank look on her face. Or composing herself, my hope.  She finally rises to her heeled feet and walks away from us, and to the very small cluster of cars left.

I do the same, but only pause to invite uncle over for dinner, and he accepts. Time to go home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Author's Note

First chapter, and again I'm fully aware that my editing is horrid.

Reviews

[Paige H]

This chapter brought quite a bit of emotion forward. The use of metaphors really increased the power of the writing. In the future, I would suggest spending a bit more time on developing the thoughts and ideas of the character and her relationships with those around her. It was beginning to become evident, but a little more development would have made for an even stronger piece. The ambiguity of this writing really piqued my interest and I can't wait to read the next installment!

[Moon-Child]

Thank you for your review and the advise. :)

[Donovan "Grey Wolf" Go..]

Wow is all I can say I find myself speechless and going to read on.

[Moon-Child]

Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it :)