"wow, they're so pretty!" scarlet smiled while watching a field of dandelions from afar.
"can we get closer and pick some dandelions, mum?" scarlet requested, turning back to see her mom.
her mom looked down at her, glimpsing her sparkling brown eyes and wavy golden hair.
she softly sighed and examined the dandelions. it looked like the dandelions were waiting for them both to pick them.
"yes, sweetie. that would be pleasant." scarlet's mom answered with a small smile.
"thank you, ma!" scarlet said as she bolted down the slant of land to reach the dandelions. her mother's leg was troubling her from a recent car accident—an ache casted from her leg.
"what a nuisance," her mom sounded quietly, observing her swollen leg. it was sheathed in a white cast covered in small illustrations that scarlet drew on to make her mother feel better.
scarlet's mom wanted her child to continue to possess her bright personality even with the accident, claiming her father's life.
she beamed with joy seeing her child gladdened. she felt at ease seeing that her spirit of bliss had not been diminished.
"mama, look!" scarlet declared as she blew the dandelions.
it was quite a beautiful sight. the white fluff drifted away unhurriedly in the wind. they both watched the pappus soar farther and farther away.
scarlet ran around the floating pappus with her hands up, waving the white fluff around. scarlet looked adorable doing that. she had on a handmade white petticoat flecked with sewed-on yellow fabric flowers and blue plastic buttons. she also had a necklace with small cream colored seashells. she picked the seashells from a beach with her dad.
her father.
everything reminded her mom of her dad. small tears started to glisten and seep out of her mom's orbs. oh, how much she missed him. scarlet noticed her mom crying.
"ma, don't worry. dad's up there. he's safe." scarlet said, pointing to the white clouds that coated the sky.
her mom sniffled and wiped her tears off her cheeks.
"what a clever child." scarlet's mom said while bringing scarlet closer for an embrace.
