A Moment in Time | Previous Challenge Entry

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TITLE: A Moment in Time | Previous Challenge Entry
By Hannah Gaudette
07/29/15
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A Moment in Time

“Carl, something is wrong with Belle,” my wife told me one evening. “She's never acted so out-of-sorts and upset before.”

I pictured our seven-year-old daughter, red curls falling to her shoulders, bright blue eyes begging me to play. I hadn't noticed her change of attitude lately. But then, I'd been working so much in the past year that I hadn't had time to notice much of anything that went on in my family.

“She needs you, Carl,” Lucy went on. “Your daughter needs you. Why don't you take your free time this week and do something special with her.”

“I can't, Lucy. I can't just take off and leave the office like that. There's paperwork I could finish up this weekend.”

My wife sighed heavily. “Haven't you noticed how Belle doesn't run to greet you anymore? How her eyes don't sparkle like they used to? Please, Carl. She needs your attention, your love.”

I hesitated, but the look in Lucy's eyes told me I wasn't backing out this time. “Alright. She and I will take off for the weekend.”

“Where?”

“Horseshoe Mountain. We can spend the day exploring and stay the night in my old cabin.”

Lucy smiled. She'd been asking me to do this for some time now. Belle always seemed to need me more than her brothers did. She would love the time away with her father.

~ ~

I adjusted the straps of my backpack and glanced behind me to Belle, who trudged wearily up the steep trail.

“How much further?” she panted.

“Not much. We're here.” I grinned at her delighted expression.

We entered the cabin, which I kept supplied with some long-lasting food and well furnished for just such getaways. Belle shed her own small backpack on the floor and fell, gasping for air on the couch. I knew the hike hadn't taxed her that much, but she always was the drama-queen.

“Daddy, what are we going to do while we're here?” she asked.

“Well, I thought we'd go exploring, look for some deer tracks, and this evening, have the cold pizza your mom packed.”

Belle squealed in delight. I gave her a quick hug before heading to unpack the things I'd brought along with us. Belle's voice stopped me.

“Can we dance, first?”

My heart stuttered momentarily. “Sure, honey,” I replied, smiling broadly.

She jumped up from the couch and pinned her stormy eyes on mine, asking a question without the words.

I bowed low and said, “May I have this dance?”

She nodded and put her hands in mine. Then she began humming some lovely tune and we danced in the cabin on Horseshoe Mountain. Her face glowed, her steps were smooth, her voice stilled time. This was what I had missed, all those days my work dragged me away.

Suddenly, we weren't in that little old cabin. An orchestra cheered us on, violins carrying a magnificent tune. It was just us in the ballroom. Belle wore a long, flowing gown that matched her eyes. She danced with freedom, and my heart swelled with tears of happiness and pride.

I twirled her around and she laughed with the thrill. The whole ballroom seemed to be lit up by the glow on her face.

The orchestra brought the dance to a slow end and I bowed low. When I rose again, there stood my seven-year-old daughter with the widest grin on her face, and we stood together in the cabin on Horseshoe Mountain. Just us.

“It was magical, wasn't it, Daddy?” whispered Belle.

I smiled and scooped up my little girl in my arms, twirling her around and around until all else faded.

Finally the dance concluded and Belle hugged my leg. “Can we go exploring now?”

“Yes, we can,” I replied.

I took her by the hand and we left the cabin. In the deep sunlight of the outdoors, I thanked God for this precious gift – this time away with my beautiful little girl.

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