Something from the Silo

Blazing Sun

That afternoon when i had filed my things away into this drawer or that, I cracked my door open and peeked out to the living room. I was curious as to what people their age do after the day was over, but didn't want to get tangled into watching the tasteless sitcoms or knitting. If that's what they even actually do. As I looked out I saw no one in the living room or the kitchen. Good. I didn't mean to seem ungrateful for what they had done, however you can only listen to so many stories about what Dorothy Kurshel did at last weeks bingo playoffs. I could hear the same whining prattle from the porch. My decrepit self and old reliable (The name of my walker) made our way to the fridge, though the sun was setting it still had to have been 75 degrees in the old house. Aunt Bernie had sweet tea in a pitcher at the bottom. I brought it out and poured it with difficulty, slouching on to my walker as I filled my cup. From the window at my right I saw a portion of the property and it was surprisingly beautiful the Nebraskan sun seemed to set fire to the fields and sow shadows to the trees, fences and barns.
A sweet smelling breeze blew across my face and I inhaled deeply, savoring the warm, refreshing day. From the top of our mountain I could see everything, and I could tell you anything about the mountain down to the last elm tree. I loved nature, and each time my family hiked it I was the first to the top and the last one down. Eager to see the world from its perspective and reluctant to leave. Not many people came this far and hiked such a steep trail; I didn't mind. I turned my head back when I heard the scuffling if feet behind me and jumped up, away from the cliff that gave me a perfect view.
" Hey paps, I thought I was gonna have to pull you up the hill myself, what kept ya?" i said teasingly, slapping my dad on the back.
" Stella, have you ever heard of smelling the roses?" He retorted, taking off his ball cap and brushing a hand threw his short, slightly peppered hair.
" I'll get right on that." Brushing off the idea, it seemed absurd to me then.
My mother stood quietly beside him now, catching her breath and drinking a third bottle of water.
I returned to my favorite spot and watched the sun gradually swoop down.
I don't know how long I just stared, but my mother squeezed my shoulder letting me know it was time to go. Being stuck up on the top of our mountain at night was one of the last things you wanted to do, even I had a hard time navigating the tree roots and rocks that littered the path.
"Come on honey, we should go now if we want to be back in range of the main trail in time."
"Okay, can we come back next weekend?"
"We will see."
And like that we trudged down our favorite hill that we had visited countless times before, for the last time.
I came to and I was back in the same predicament, same place. My cup was full, over flowing and a puddle of sugary tea slowly leaking from the counter onto the floor. I slammed the pitcher onto the counter with a frantic squeak and tried to grab something to sop up the spillage. It frustrated me how such little things were so hard, like I can't even successfully pour a glass of tea? Aunt Bernie came in and gave me a quizzical look and I blurted out,
"I'm sorry Aunt Bernie I-
"That's fine dear," she chimed in a exasperated tone cutting off my apology.
Here's a couple paper towels, it's no big deal, she flashed me a toothy half grin and I noticed a smudge of lipstick on her teeth. I grabbed the paper towels and without thinking attempted bending over and got a sharp strike of pain up my back.
"I-I can't bend over, I can't." And like that my eyes filled with tears of frustration, embarrassment and also from the happy memories I would never be able to relive. A look of pity flashed across my aunts face as I turned sticky hands an all an slowly walked away to my new room and shut the door.