The Pear Tree

She took calculated steps in the direction of the main door, looking around carefully to avoid any objects that could cause noise in her tread. The floor of the ancestral house cracking with the lightest of movements. Her breath was the only sound hitting on her ears. She’d secretly wished the rustling of the crispy leaves would stop scarring her.

The seven year old Ella was stopped in her tracks by her brawny uncle. Ella gulped as fear enveloped her tiny figure. This would not go well.

“Where do you think you are going, young lady?” His voice was low but the anger was not missed by Ella whose eyes started to glisten.

Ella slowly moved back as her eyes searched the frail house for support, and her voice for words.

Before Ella could retaliate she was standing on the worn out floors of her room, locked from outside as her uncle shut the door angrily. Even in the strong thunder the clicking of the rusty knob could not be missed. It was far too familiar for her, it was the sound of her freedom crushing.

She sat by the door and watched the rain as tears rolled down her cheeks.

Ella knew the storm would calm, and the sun would rise, but in her life the dark clouds would never disappear. The small pear tree slowly became blurry on the other side of the window fighting for its life against the heavy rains.

_____________

She woke up with a loud screaming of a voice too familiar. Even after living in this house for more than twenty years, waking up to the same screams, at times it still shook her.

When her utopian dreams were the only escape, these screams brought her to reality. A reality she still tried to run from. Surprisingly.

Ella got up in frustration and walked towards the kitchen area. Her uncle, who had become weak with old age had become more frustrated with time, however the anger had only increased. Those frail screams never failed to shake her out of her reverie, as the little girl inside her still longed and somewhere hoped for a shining light in her life, just like it had outside her window. The light always came after the dark.

The sun had almost set, hues of orange and pink piercing through her windows glowed her figure as she tried to fulfill the commands of uncle hastily. She took an exasperated sigh as he finally ended his orders for the day and shut the door closed leaving her alone with her thoughts.

Ella placed the last dish in the rack and removed her apron and left the kitchen.

She stopped in her tracks as she saw the silhouette of the large pear tree swaying in its glory against the sharp hues. A smile appeared on her face and grabbing her coat and her most prized possession, her father’s diary, she stepped out the door.

She sat by the same pear tree that her father had planted. The one she clearly remembered struggling in the strong winds, now stood tall and robust, giving her the shadow and warmth she longed for. It was as if her father was there, giving her the strength she needed.

Ella smiled as her tear stricken lashes glistened in the clear orange skies, the clouds had disappeared, the rain had stopped. The rainbow had faintly appeared and so did her newfound strength. The shabby house seemed small at that distance and its occupants insignificant. Relief washed over her, as memories of her father planting the tree flashed before her eyes.

My sweet darling Ella,

You can conquer it all

As long as you believe

She looked up at the clear sky, knowing her father was out there, somewhere watching over her.