Alone, But Not

When? The question was passed to me by him.

I need to find the place soon.

May I come?

You can follow me and wait nearby. Keep an eye out for me.

I walked through trees so dense that the sky was obscured, making midday feel like dusk.

A well-traveled trail led near the stream, which I remembered from my childhood when Mama was here. Then, one day, she never returned. Searching for her, my legs tired as I walked through the forest and hills until I had to lie down and sleep. A bright sun woke me in the morning, along with the rumbling of my stomach. Hunger. MAMA! Skipping in ever-widening circles, I called out. MAMA! No reply. After drinking some water, I found food on my own, but it was a risky venture, trying vegetation that grows in the woods. I spit out the bitter ones. Rose petals were tasty, quite sweet, from the wild and thorny Rugosa roses. I didn't care for mint and kept walking, picking sprigs of this and that. If they had no fragrance, I dropped them to the ground, not trusting them. Dandelions with bright yellow blossoms and greens are tasty; she taught me that and their name.

MAMA! After several days, near a clearing, I discovered droppings on the ground emanating a sweet scent I could not resist. Some were brilliant scarlet, some lighter than dandelions, and others were smaller, juicy dark purple droppings. I feasted on the fruit, including apples and plums, but not too many; I didn't want a bellyache. Mama taught me a lot before she abandoned me.

What about here?

Yes, it is good, and it is near where I grew up. The fruit trees were still there, but the barn had collapsed; no people were around. Only the charred remains of the white farmhouse with its painted black dormer windows remained. The swing where the children played was also charred, lacking a seat, with only the chains left. The blonde girl and the red-haired boy played in the field, chasing each other. They never dared to enter the woods, and I observed quietly without running away; they were only aware of themselves. One day, the boy climbed the apple tree, its yellow globes shining, and tossed a few at the girl. She caught two but let the others fall to the ground. I picked them up after dark and savored them as my nighttime treat.

Here, I told him. He patrolled the area and returned shortly, nodding his approval. I created a nest in the ferns beneath a massive cedar tree with its branches touching the ground. The tree welcomed me to its bosom, its fallen rust-colored needles forming a soft bed, the wind rustling the branches in a lullaby. He kept watch nearby but didn't crowd me, dropping a few greens and fruits before nightfall.

That night, I labored until dawn. A small cedar branch was caught in his antlers when he greeted his daughter.

Copyright © 4/10/2025 by Andrea O. Corwin

Thank you so much for stopping by! 😃 If you liked this piece, please click the ♡, leave a comment, share it, and remember, you can subscribe for free.