A Fictional Writing & Possible Future Book ~ Lisa M Buske...

As I work on the sequel to Where's Heidi? One Sister's
Journey, I'm also looking at older writing pieces...

Here is an untitled, fictional story, written by me... The ritualistic morning of a working mom isn’t complete without at least one interruption. While I attempt to finish my makeup and hair my daughter skips into the bathroom with her hairbrush as a microphone singing “Zip a dee doo da”. All I can do is shake my head and smile. Before I can inquire of Elly’s needs, the telephone starts to ring and the cell phone beeps with a text message. I don’t even know who or what to respond to first. My Gram used to tell me “So goes Monday, so goes the week.” If this start is any indication, it is going to be a long week if I don’t make a change. Thirty minutes later, lunches packed and shoes on, my daughter and I walk out the front door.

With Elly at school and my Netbook fully charged, I walk to the park for work instead of the office. Some fresh air and sunshine will erase the tension of the morning and provide the inspiration needed to complete my current assignment. My favorite tree seemed to be calling my name as the breeze gently moves the shadow to and fro. My blanket cascades over the grass as my great escape begins; a quiet prayer, deep breath, and the words begin to transition from brain to keyboard. Maybe it will be an uneventful week after all.   

The sound of laughter and joyful squeals snap me away from my work. Oh my gosh, it’s nearly noon. I’m taking a break.  As I take a drink from my water bottle one little girl captures my attention. She is content to play alone yet appears cautious each time there is motion near her.  I find myself entranced, but why. She looks like my sister had at that age. Maybe this is why she interests me so much. I log off my computer so I can watch her play. A bee buzzes around her head and her nose twitches as she swats it away and returns to her sand creation. I watch in awe, the child laughs and even twitches her nose, like my sister. So much for redeeming a week doomed for chaos.

My final chapter is due to the editor by day’s end yet my wonder and fascination of this girl has stolen my ability to focus on work. I want to know more about this little girl.  Why is she alone at the park? Where are her parents or babysitter? Who would leave such a young girl by herself, even for a moment? Don’t they watch the news? 
     
Entranced and intrigued by her independence I start to pack up my stuff in order to ask her where her mother is. But before I can cross the walk, she has picked up her sand toys, tossed them into an old grocery bag and is skipping across the park. As she gets closer to the intersection she looks around as if she is looking for someone. Is  she checking to see if anyone notices she is leaving or did she sneak away and is trying to return home without being noticed? No one else seems to notice or care about this isolate girl in the park yet her presence has consumed me. While she waits for the cross walk sign to change, the sunset paints a beautiful backdrop for her tiny silhouette. She appears to be looking for someone, but whom? Mom? Grandma?  She has turned her head nearly a dozen times before she finally crosses the street. Should I help her? I don’t think this is a child looking for a loved one but instead, one hoping not to be caught. She attempts to stay calm yet her step quickens as her face reddens.

My curiosity is peaked to heights I didn’t think were possible. Unaware I followed her out of the park I realize I too am not only outside the security of the park but on the other side of the street. How did I get here? I remember watching her but not moving. As I got closer I could almost hear her breath and sense her urgency. Although she appeared to be walking, I felt my feet in swift motion to catch up.  At the next intersection I check for oncoming traffic because it doesn’t look like she will stop. When I look back up, she is gone. I lost her…but where? How?

I turn look around with a prayer on my heart, Lord, let me see her, just one more time. Nothing in front of me or to my left but when I turn to my right, I see her.  Thankfully she doesn’t notice me as she glances from one side to the other. I wish I knew who she was looking for or hiding from? My stare must have been intense because she notices I have followed her. Her shock startles us both. 

She turns to run down the alley when her bag topples to the ground and spills its contents across the sidewalk. I scurry to help her pick them up as the tears begin to stream down her cheeks. By the time I am crouched to help, her entire frame is shaking. She looks me directly in the eye, as if to say something when her whole being changed.

The look of fear and desperation in her face diminish. She stops picking up her toys. She leans in, looks me square in the eyes, smiles and then lifts her hand to my face. Gently she caresses my cheek, wipes a tear and whispers, “Thank you. She told me you were nice.” Who told her I was nice? I don’t know this girl.... Would you read on?
Leave a comment to let me know what you think...