Finding the Breeze

Her bare feet stepped on the soft green swaying grass. She put one hand to her heart and the other on the sun-kissed mossy bridge above her, then closed her eyes. That was a mistake because the minute she did, small tear drops fell, rolling down her chin. The girl opened her eyes and touched the tombstone in front of her.                                   

"Stay with me."                                                                                                                                          

 Those were the last words she said before turning and leaving her late grandmother beneath her feet.       

 When she got home lunch was already set on the table. Her mom, softly humming and rocking back and forth in her purple afternoon frock said nothing as she spread butter on her bread. The mom had ignored the child for years.

That child's name was Audrey, and she felt neglected in every way, turning the wheel while reading her favourite Neil Gaiman fiction. Her and her mom where not close.

But where was her father? Him and his late mother were Audrey's best friends. At the thought of her grandmother, tears sprang to her eyes, but she quickly blinked them away.

Audrey's mom began to worry. Alone with her daughter was not pleasant in some ways.

Together, they both held their hearts' high and hoped for a wish. For a father and husband to come home.

Suddenly, the mom's long brown hair flew and blocked her matching freckles on her face.

"Home," called a gloomy voice that had once been cheerful, energetic, happy, and those feelings the saddest person could love. But for some reason, not Audrey's father.

Audrey's father closed the door, blocking the relaxing April breeze, and the small girl's heart skipped a beat.

"How was work?" The mother questioned, offering a smile.

But the short, thin haired man didn't answer as he rubbed his eyes and sat down on the table.

"I- I can't... Just give me a minute...."

Audrey's mother painfully sat down, her light frock lifting a little.

"Can I get you some tea?" She offered, putting her hands on her husband's.

He shook his head.

"Tea won't get me my job back...."

The shock was almost immediate. The second be finished his sentence, the whole room seemed slightly sadder, the unwashed dishes drooping more, the windows looking darker and gloomier, and the sinking feeling in their hearts. Audrey didn't say anything, sitting still, ignoring urgent tears that were dying to pour out, waiting for the axe to fall. She could tell her mother was feeling the same, her smooth face waiting to be stained from tears. But she kept still.

"Then what will?"

The man stood up, then said,

"I am going to travel to find a new job."

 There was a  pregnant pause.

 Audrey hated the silence that stabbed the small room.

"You can't," her mother whispered. "I can't let you... Leave your job, I need you... Please don't go..." Her eyes were terribly wet.

 But the man left and that was that. He had left the mother in charge of Audrey.

"I will be back in a week." Then he was off.

 Audrey watched sadly as her father left. Then she whispered, "He didn't even say goodbye."

 At night the silent girl watched the enormous full moon from her window and hoped that a week would go by quickly.

 The next morning, breakfast was set on the table, porridge and blueberries. Audrey felt dizzy as she tried to reach her chair. She stopped in her tracks. Should she have stayed in bed? Too late. Audrey felt evened out, soon everything went black.

                                                          .....

 When Audrey came to her senses, she opened her eyes. The whole room was white, and a woman she recognized as her mother was sitting next to her.

"Where am I?" Audrey asked.

"Hospital," came the reply.

 The girl broke in a verge a tears.

"I'm, I'm so stupid," she said.

 "I brought your book," said the mother, handing her the fresh copy of "The Graveyard Book". "And you are not stupid for fainting and falling." A smile was tugging at her lips.

 "No, not for that...." Said Audrey.

 "For not releasing I'm pregnant?"

 Audrey paused, her eyes widening a bit.

 "For that, but also for something else."

 The mothers smiled.

"Then tell me, and I will listen like never before. Like the white petals hanging from the mellow flower core, I will listen." Audrey could see tears in her eyes.

"Will you promise this won't be your only time listening?" She said.

 Audrey's mom laughed. When she did, the tears slid out, staining her cheeks.

"If my name isn't Valerie, then it will."

 "I'm stupid for being..... The girl you never wanted."

More tears.

 The mom reached her arm to the girl's hair, then stroked it gently. 

"You are the girl I wanted."

She felt her stomach.

"When you lay here, it was the happiest moment of my life."

 "Then why aren't I important to you? Why aren't you the mother who loves and puts her child to bed every night, singing a beautiful night song to me?" Audrey sat up and saw what she was wearing. A plain white shirt that was tight on her waist.

 Audrey's mom wiped her eyes.

 "Because I loved you. And when Evelyn, I mean Grandma died, I thought you would feel so much more without the bother of a mother."

 "Mom..." Audrey began.

 But she couldn't finish because at that moment the two girls had put their arms around each other, hugging, crying and laughing at the same time.

 They were having such a good time that they missed the nurse put a small paper on the night table. It read:

 Dear Valerie and Audrey,

I'm coming home early on account of finding a new job. I can't wait to see you all.

Love,

Daddy

Ps. I hope you like a sister, Audrey.