Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Note (02/07/13)
-
TITLE: A Tisket, A Tasket | Previous Challenge Entry
By RuthAnn Cornelson
02/14/13 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
The young woman sitting on the park bench heard the children behind her chanting the almost forgotten tune. I dropped it, I DROPPED IT! Sandra shook her head, sandy blonde curls brushing her shoulders. “Like the warm sand on the beach”, he used to say, watching the silken strands slide through his fingers.
But he hadn't been her love. Not really. She’d wanted him to be but he never said anything and she was too shy to make the first move. They were friends, then during senior year they started spending more time together, getting closer, always on the cusp of friendship, almost falling off and into love, but holding back. Sandra knew she was in love with Matt but if he loved her he would have told her, right? But he didn't.
And then graduation came. He was going away to boot camp clear across the country. She was staying right here. They avoided talking about it. Sandra couldn't imagine what it would be like not to see his smile every day or hear his deep, smooth voice, like melted chocolate flowing over her. Her heart was being ripped apart and he hadn't even left yet.
He’d asked her to have dinner with him the night before he left. It was a somber, quick dinner. At her door later he put his hand on her shoulder, touching her hair, watching the silky strands sift down through his fingers. “Sandy,” his voice was husky. She couldn't tell if he was describing her hair or saying her name. She looked at him, waiting, memorizing every flake of gold and brown in his hazel eyes.
He reached down for her hand. She loved the feel of his big hand closing around hers, so safe, protected. He spoke quietly, “I have been trying to picture what it’s going to be like to not see you every day, but I can’t. I don’t want to.” He paused, “I have to leave, but I can’t go without telling you this.” He took a deep breath, cleared his throat, “I love you.”
Her eyes were wide, staring into his, unblinking. He smiled his slow, heart-stopping smile and moved closer, leaning down to kiss her, a soft, gentle kiss, lingering just a moment, waiting for her response. She couldn't move.
He stepped back, a slightly puzzled look in his eyes. He spoke earnestly, “I want to come back and start a new relationship with you - you and me, a couple. Will you wait for me, give me that chance?”
Everything in her screamed, “Yes! I love you too!” But her throat was dry and only a squeak came out. Her eyes stung. She closed them, shaking her head to quiet the sound of her heart pounding in her ears. After a moment she felt a wide smile breaking through. Her heart was singing with joy. She opened her eyes to tell him. But he wasn't there.
She heard the car pulling away from the curb and ran, waving, but it was dark, he didn't see her.
In her room she pulled out a sheet of paper, sat down on her bed and started writing, “Dear Matt, I love you too!” Tears ran down her face. She explained how stunned she had been, how much she had longed and prayed for that moment but then, when it came, she couldn't speak. She wrote that of course she would wait for him. She folded the note carefully, planning to go to the train station and give it to him before he left.
Sandra fell asleep smiling, thanking God for answering her prayer. Suddenly it was morning. She would have to hurry to get to the station in time. After carefully tucking the note into her purse she rushed to the car and drove to the station.
There he was, on the platform, stepping onto the train. “Matt!” she yelled, running to him. He turned, eyebrows drawing together in puzzlement. She held the note out to him. “Matt, please read this. It will explain everything.”
The train started moving. He didn't reach for the note. It fell out of her hand onto the tracks. When she looked up, he was gone.
A tear rolled down the woman’s cheek. He never knew.
______________________________
God has written a love letter to us, the Bible. Read it and discover how much He loves you. He wants you to know.
Jeremiah 31:3
The LORD appeared to him from afar, saying, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness. (NASB)
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
Excellent story.
Even so, I like the way you closed it off - at least this part.
Great writing.