With Your Heart Wide Open

Welcome to Red Valley

I know a place where the sun is like gold,

And the cherry blooms burst with snow,

And down underneath is the loveliest nook,

Where the four-leaf clovers grow.

Ella Higginson

Red Valley was one of these places that welcomed you with wide arms at first sight. It was built next to a vast lake of various tints of blue depending on the sun's mood. Surrounding this body of water, were myriads of polished stones that children enjoyed ricocheting. With his lush greenery, Red Valley provided multiple natural tapestries that were used as picnic spots. At the entrance, there was a small field mainly occupied by crimson marigolds where lovers would stroll, children would play tag, and butterflies would savor nectar.

Red Valley was one of these places where you knew that everyone had your back even if you'd have to give up your privacy in exchange. At Red Valley, police officers reduce their vigil times. Children would be playing in the streets even after the sun had vanished without their mothers worrying sick.

The Golgotha Church helped to strengthen the good neighbor spirit that was already a must at Red Valley. The church has more than half of the population as members. Those who wouldn't attend the Sunday service on a regular basis made sure to stop by during the big events.

Under one of the brightest sunrise at Red Valley, a car pulled up in front of a house that hasn't seen any occupants for months. Coming out of the back door was a face that has not been seen before. It was a girl of about seven or eight. Following her was a woman who was possibly in her mid-twenties. She was slightly above the average height, partly due to the rich mass of curly hair that rested on her head. Bushy sideburns were visible at the temples because her hair was pulled back in a messy bun. Her stern expression made her look more mature than her delicate features would show. Still, even from afar, her dark brown eyes were innocent. They grabbed some boxes from the car and entered the house without dropping a single glance at the few people watching.

Once, she closed the door behind her, Esther dropped a heavy sigh. It was tiny but way better than the shoebox that she used to live in. The place smelled like peppermint but a hint of must lingered in the air tickling her nose. She then unpacked some of the boxes that she brought with the nonchalant help of her daughter.

"Aaliyah, you're going to have your own room," Esther said as cheerful as she could sound when she saw Liyah's bored-looking face.

"I know," The child simply replied.

"What's the matter? You haven't said a word since we came."

"I'm fine," Aaliyah murmured.

"Whatever. If you don't want to talk, suit yourself. Just don't say that I didn't try!"

After setting up utensils in the kitchen drawer, Esther turned to her daughter once more,

"Aaliyah, chicken sandwich or hamburger for breakfast?"

"Hamburger," Aaliyah mumbled.

Esther rolled her eyes but stayed quiet.

After an unusually quiet breakfast of sandwiches and store-bought biscuits, Esther got in the car with Liyah. It was one of the rare times when she had to spend the whole day with her daughter. Usually, Liyah would have been talking non-stop and she would have been moderating her exuberance. It was much harder when the child was gloomy and short of words. There was a large silence to fill and Esther didn't know how to lead a conversation that her daughter would enjoy. Not when she was like that.