Memories Never Fade

    “Mom, look what Teresa did to me!” I complained, showing her the bruise on my left arm. “We were playing hide and seek and before I could even count till ten, she suddenly showed up out of nowhere and scared me to bits. I fell on my back and the silly rocks lying around gave me this silly bruise and it’s all because of that silly creature named Teresa!”

    Mom abandoned the chores she had been doing and listened to me carefully. All this while, not even for a second did her iris not look fixedly into mine. Wearing a kind of smile that would instantly make you an admirer of the elegant lady, she said:

    “Calm down, sweety. I bet you don’t want to say that for your friend, yes, even though she scared you. Bruises heal with time. Everything in life is temporary, my dear, including this life itself. Don’t waste your precious time complaining. Time flies…you know that, right? So go, go and make thousands of memories, cause memories never fade. In the later years, whenever you feel void or dead from inside, memories are what keep you company. Certain scents, certain words, certain sights, from the childhood days, when encountered again in future, would give you pleasure far beyond your wildest imagination. This is all I got to say. Dump it or heed it, your choice.” She finished, beaming.

    The atmosphere lightened up. Just a talk with mom, and the aura that surrounded her often eased up situations for me. Mother and I shared a special bond. After her divorce with dad, it had just been me and her all along. Not one existed who could spoil the relationship we maintained. I hoped this to continue until the end of my life. I wanted my mom to be there…with me…always.

    

    “By the time you rinse your bruise, I’ll be back with the first-aid kit. Mommy to the rescue!”

    

    She sure had a way with words; always the reason behind my smile.

    

    I went over to the kitchen sink. The blood cleared away with the cold water that rushed down the tap. I could hear the radio playing my mom’s favourite song:

                          

                                                 

                                                  One day at a time, sweet Jesus,

                                                  that’s all I’m asking from you…

   

    Our taste was similar in almost everything. Though I failed to understand why the sweet food never fascinated her.

   

    I’d better ask her to eat more chocolates. Guess that’s why she’s losing weight and having those headaches.

    

    I washed my hands for another two minutes. The cold water dulled the pain the bruise caused. I heard footsteps and instantly knew she was back with the kit. Finally done with washing the cut, I turned off the tap. The song continued to play in the background:

                       

                                                  

                                                  Yesterday’s gone, sweet Jesus,

                                                And tomorrow may never be mine.

                                                   Lord he-

    Hearing a loud thud, I turned around. Mom lay motionless on the floor. The kit, with its components scattered, rested beside her. I did nothing but stared. With my limbs all jammed to run away from  the dreadful scene, I simply closed my teary eyes to escape the reality. And when I opened them again…it was a totally different sight.

    

    “Mom, mom, you know what, Kevin called me a liar!"

   

    I saw a short human figure standing in front of me. Tears blurred my vision. Truth slowly dawned upon me. Years had passed since the last time I saw her. I recalled her words to me that day…and they proved to be accurate, only half of them, though. She was right…memories never fade.

    

    “Eh, mom…why are you crying?”

    

    This time it was my tongue that had been jammed. Hugging the little one who stood in front of me, I cried my heart out and listened to the song that had been playing all through that time:

                       

                                               

                                        Lord help me today, show me the way,

                                                        One day at a time…

   

 

Author's Note

thoughts?

Reviews

[matrixmark]

The mum speech was so well done. it really felt like the wording which a mother would use in talking to her child - really well though out Zoe - very realistic. I noticed that somebody else picked up on the word 'silly' being written 3 times. I have too admit that at first it was my feeling too and was going to mention it BUT after seeing it from a childs point of view it makes complete sense for it to be written in this way and so I appreciate your way of thinking when you wrote this part, as by putting yourself in the characters shoes makes it more believable and true - GOOD WORK!

I do have to say that by adding in the song bit was such an imaginative idea that by the end had end come and gone, you have me nodding my head with a grin on my face and saying 'that was really cool' under my breath.

Zoe, you are a star.

Well done!

Mark.

[Zoya]

Thank you very much, Mr.Mark, for your time and review! So glad you liked it. Hope you are doing good.

[Joey Nizz]

This is such a remarkable story if you ask me, the characters, the dialog's, your words and plot were simply amazing!

Thank you for sharing.

[Zoya]

Thanks for the lovely review. I appreciate it :)

[Joey Nizz]

Your welcome :)

[Priyanshi]

Your writing always amazes me.. how creative and talented you are at such young age....
Keep on writing.

[Zoya]

Thank you ^-^

[Priyanshi]

my pleasure.

[Stan Lee]

This was brilliant! I loved the plot twist! And the song that floated between each scene. Amazing write. You have great talent and I'd like to read more like this. :) Well done.

[Zoya]

Thank you very much! :)

[Carol Cashes]

This is wonderful - and I recognized the song immediately. Mother's personal favorite is The Garden.
One question: Would a child use the word "emerged"?
In keeping with a child's dialogue, maybe: "when she showed up outta nowhere?" or something in your words.
Photographs fade, but memories are forever and they are what keeps those we love in our hearts.

[Zoya]

Indeed. Thanks for pointing out the mistake. And thank you so very much for reading and reviewing :)

[Suhd]

It's a nice n tasty read. Didn't find anything wrong with it. It's very good the way it is don't change it. Thanks for sharing!

[Zoya]

Glad to know you liked it. Thanks much!

[Suhd]

Always a pleasure.

[Bear]

Critique: (I complained, showing her my left bruised arm) showing her the bruise on my left arm - awkward wording

Review: Nice sensitivity expressed in an well thought out way. Many people would have let over powering emotions try to express their message and that would have taken all the wisdom out of the message. Masterfully done my friend Standing ovation! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap!

[Zoya]

Thank you so very much! I truly appreciate it :)

[Tony Jordan]

The font was too big but the story was bigger than the font so it came through loud and clear.

[Zoya]

Really? Is the font too big? Lol. Tired of changing fonts xD. Anyway, thank you so very much for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it!

[AcasualPawn]

Story did the work, we got the message.

But setup and background building could be better.........

Nice work

[Zoya]

Thanks a bunch!

[AcasualPawn]

I read lots of novels currently ongoing 70

[Zoya]

That's good

[Wajiha Nayeem]

the story was nicely done..but the font was too tiny..
otherwise, it's just a wonderful work.

[Zoya]

Oh, I see. Will soon change it. Thanks for the review!

[wordman]

life is hard road to travel,we find out our friends really may not be,if we try to live for god we get slammed daily

[Zoya]

True. Thanks much for reading!