Wrestling the Kraken

Bridgett

Bridgett

A thin stream of light came in through the window, illuminating a few dust particles waltzing in the air. Bridgett watched, as she gave her body time to fully wake up. It was peaceful here. The city was loud and it carried inside the little shack, but it was the noise in her head that was quiet. The chaos, the strings unfolding, were painless. Something about being here civilized the whole process and it was as though she could sit at a table and gently untangle each piece without resistance.

She sat up and stretched her arms. Two days had gone by. Lanz and Dante came to mind often, wondering what they must be thinking. The last time she saw them was when Lanz had hit her instead of Dante. He wouldn't be taking that well. She wanted to set things right, undo everything she had done, but it was impossible. How could anything she do make up for all the pain she's caused?

Getting dressed, she stepped outside. The elderly woman, whom she came to know as Doris, was in the greenhouse with a box. Bridgett walked over to greet her.

"Can I help you with that?" She asked.

Doris looked up, delighted. "Of course, Pastor McKinley says these bunch are ready to go to market. I've got them all prepped, so just place them in this here box. I'll need to go grab another one. Thanks dear." She said and squeezed her shoulder before scurrying off.

That woman was two sides of a coin. At times she was sweet and cheery, other times she was all business with no time for fuss. It was hard to tell what caused her to be in either mode, but it had become a game of sorts for Bridgett, trying to figure it out. Folding pamphlets for the upcoming service was definitely all business- creases had to be checked and set just right, stacks needed to be piled up just so. Going to the market was something that brought her sheer joy. Bridgett didn't think anything would shake her from being easy going today.

Placing the flowers into the box, she noticed that this whole section was from 1963. Eight years was a long time to hold on to these flowers. She looked at the names as she placed them in: Janet Miller, Billy Reed, Valerie Rogers, Bridgett Marlow...

She held the flower for a moment. Seeing her name here was surreal. Another Bridgett Marlow, not her, except she knew without a doubt it was her. Doris was coming back. Bridgett placed the flower into the box and slid the stick with her name on it into her pocket.

"This box is ready. I'll go load it in the truck." She offered. Doris smiled and set to work on filling the second box.

The truck was parked out front. She opened the side gate, careful not to let it slam behind her. She saw a rose on the ground beside her. Placing the box down, she wondered how this one was dropped here. None of the flowers had been loaded yet. She picked up the red rose and looked into the box. None of them were roses. None of the flowers inside of the greenhouse were roses. Down the street there were two young men walking away, chatting about a game they had placed bets on. The other side, cars were driving by. She stood up. Placing the box inside the truck, she stopped to look at the rose in her hand. The gate was opening. Doris was coming through struggling with the box and trying not to get her dress caught in the gate.

"Here let me help." Bridgett offered.