The past (Fourteen years ago).
In the mind of a six year old.
"Sophie, dear!"
I heard the gentle voice say. What was her name again? Alexa, maybe? She was so pretty. I wanted to be strong and pretty like her.
"Sophie, love, hurry up! Your mum's waiting!" the nice lady said again.
Oh, it's Mother's birthday today. Alexa is nicer than Mother. I wish Alexa could be my mother, but she said she already has kids.
"Sophie, dear, we have to go! Get ready, we're leaving in five minutes!"
Okay, the nice lady was starting to get a bit annoying. At least she doesn't yell like Mother. I'll get ready for her, I guess.
Why is the car so dark? Couldn't they put some lights to make it less gloomy? Grown-ups always like gloomy things. If I made this car, I would put up the lights Alexa gave me for my birthday.
"Are you excited, love? Ready to surprise your mum, Sophie?" the nice lady asked.
Oh, Alexa is talking about Mother. Can't she talk about something else? It feels like everyone always talks about Mother. Does everything always have to be about Mother?
"Yeah."
"There's my Sophie! What's wrong, love? You look sad," Alexa asked.
Mother is what's wrong, I thought, but I didn't say anything. I don't want Alexa to worry.
"Alexandra!"
"June, dear!" Alexa said. "Look who's here! Sophie has a surprise for you, right, Soph?"
"Yeah."
The fire is big. I don't understand. How did this happen? I see Alexa running towards me. What's wrong, Alexa? Why are you yelling? Please don't yell like Mother. There's a boy next to me. He calls Alexa 'mum.' Is he her son? He's scared, looking at the fire with big eyes. Is he okay? Why can't I talk? I want to call Alexa 'mum' too! Then suddenly, there's a bright flash. I didn't see it, but I felt it. Is the boy still looking at the fire? Alexa said it could make you blind.
"IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT, YOU WRETCH! ALEXANDRA WOULDN'T HAVE DIED IF YOU DIDN'T GO TO THAT PARTY! I TOLD HER NOT TO COME LOOKING FOR YOU. WHAT DID SHE DO?" Mother is yelling at me again. I don't understand. What happened? There's a bright light, like a jail, with long, skinny tubes moving like snakes from my body. What's happening?
"YOU WRETCHED CHILD!" And then Mother is gone. Mother, what happened to Alexa?
YOU ARE READING
The Blind Gardener
RomancePlease forgive me. I'm sorry. But it's okay! whoever said you were wrong? I'll give you a bouquet, and fill them with songs. But because of me you died, dissolved and dried, tucked away in a shade of umbra. And because of me you cried, And she died...
