Little Red Leaf
A Story Every Day in 2024 Sept 18th 262/366
All the leaves are brown, and the skies are grey. Autumn is here and you're away.
I look at the richness of the world around me, the pageantry of royal colour in the golds and the reds and the oranges that adorn the trees in their final flourish and it makes me sad that you can't see it.
Maybe you can see it. Maybe you're in the midst of it right now. Maybe you're looking down on it from above. I don't know where you are.
Soon, they'll start to fall. You used to love the leaves when you were small. Little red wellington boots. A hat that squashed your eyes. Mittens that made your little hands seem twice as large. You'd pick your favourites and bring them home. They've gone too.
I shouldn't torture myself like this.
Your father doesn't. He's moved on. New wife, new life. I know he cares about you but he's not tethered anymore. Or, at least, he's better at hiding it.
"How long are you going to live like this, Bethan? How long?"
Those were the sort of questions he'd ask of me before he left. Then, I'd look at him through my lank hair and my lethargy and want to cry out so much but my numbness wouldn't let me. I struggled. I struggle.
I just want...I just want to know where you are. It hurts...hurts. I'm holding on to hope but it has a slippery string, that leaves a welt in my hand as I try to keep it close.
I wish you'd come to me in dreams. To see you again...my little girl...
I wonder what you'd be like now. A young woman. You'd be 25 this month. Thirteen long years.
Stolen, you were. Vanished. Who? What? No-one's confessed and you've not been found.
Soon this place will be filled with little girls in red wellington boots and I will have to go to sit somewhere else. I draw attention, even in my stillness. It must be the silent tears.
A leaf falls. I grab it.
A striking, vibrant red. Like ones you saved.
Come home with me, little leaf. I'll keep you safe.
***
366 words
I woke up this morning with The Mamas and the Papas in my head and thought, "I really like that first line as an opener for a story" and although I've altered it slightly, the essence is the same.
I have to ask: why the apostrophes, Mamas and Papas? Why?
I thought I'd write it down and see where it takes me. Unfortunately, it was somewhere a bit sad really and I'm actually in a really good mood too.
Thanks for stopping by! If you do read this, please leave a comment as I love to interact with my readers.
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Comments (18)
I believe I read something from this series a while back, in the incorrect order, I’m back to give it another go. I love the poetic first line. ‘Looking down on it from above’, oh my gosh what’s happening 👀 Wait, we are talking about a child… my heart will be crushed I can feel it coming on. This is beautiful so far, slow pace. Poetic, descriptively vivid and captivating. Hmm, he left because he couldn’t watch her mourn anymore. This is dark, and it’s sounding like every possible outcome could develop from this, and I am excited. Oh the way you write her words makes this story feel too real. It feels like I am in body, and this terrible thing, losing a child… is happening to me. She’s starting to sound a little… hmm, at the end. It’s because I don’t know what to trust, the story gives off that vibe. 👌🏽👏🏽🤗
This gave me chills! Oh I can’t even imagine the pain Bethan is feeling. Poor thing. Great job!
Oh my goodness. Little wellington boots just struck me as the most tragic phrase. Beautifully written but heartbreaking nonetheless 💜
I love where this started and how the story progressed to something unexpectedly sad. Beautiful imagery and so true to grief. It sneaks up and overwhelms at the most unexpected times.
Heartbreaking but so beautifully written. I am trying to catch up on reading your stories on my off days from work. You truly are a lovely writer!
“why the apostrophes, Mamas and Papas? Why?” 😆 👍 Awesome song though. Did they do the “Seasons” song too from Forrest Gump? Actually both are probably on the soundtrack. Yep I definitely read this second on medium I think, just read again. I can see why a continuation felt appropriate as it’s a terrific start.
Thought I ought find the start
Yippee 🥳… I have belatedly joined your saga ✅💙… great start… I loved that Mamas and Papas song and line🤩.
I’m glad you gave her a name in later stories. I can’t imagine what a mother goes through losing a child like that. You gave me a glimpse into that, Rachel.
Oh no, I'm so sorry your mood isn't okay. Hope you're feeling better now
Such a tragically beautiful story, Rachel!! I was pulled in by the beautiful fall elements and slid down that heartbreaking journey with your MC as they revealed the tragedy they live in... Well done!!
What a cool source of inspiration for a story! This was a heart wrenching piece. The last line was so beautifully sad
Such a brilliant song. Still the best version. This was hauntingly beautiful too. Excellent writing Rachel.
What a lovely and wistful story. Well done, Rachel.
First I got the earworm, then the story made me sad. Now I'm stuck on the apostrophes. Really, why?
This was so beautiful and so sad, Rachel! Top Story worthy for sure!
One of my favourite songs there. Never noticed the apostrophe thing: is it suggesting that they (we?) are all the products (possessions?) of our parents? Or is it just a case of grocers' apostrophe? Evocative story as well. I remember scrunching through autumn leaves as a kid, and more recently doing it again with my daughter. She's starting to grow out of it now, but not completely. Might get one more go at it this year!
The apostraphe's thing is hilarious...because I think it's a collective bad learning thing. People expect and think there should be apostrophes when there shouldn't, plus (whispered) they were american. lol. I love that song and you put it in my head like the wiggliest earworm and I shall blast it later. I really enjoyed your story. Well...it made me feel sad in the pit of my stomach. But, that's the intention. As usual you just nailed it. The way you set up with all the beautiful rendering of Autumn and then it slowly became clear what the woman was going through. Well done, chum!