Another Summer Day

         Her face was turned to the blue sky, her eyes looking up at the clouds with a mixture of delight and wonder. The air was heavy with the smell of honeysuckle, the sun was warm, and the breeze teased their skin as it danced with the dandelions growing around them.

         He couldn’t take his eyes off of her as she delighted in the world around her. He watched her as her clumsy fingers grasped at the edges of her carrying basket, at the blond wisps of hair that blew in the breeze. His fingers reached out to cup her cheek, grazing her nose along the way. She giggled and grasped his finger, putting it in her mouth and using him as a teething ring.

         “She’s beautiful, Annie,” he whispered, “Your daughter is beautiful.” He kissed the baby’s cheek, wetting her cheeks with his tears. She looked up at him curiously, her eyebrows wide arches over Annie’s eyes. It had been a year. A year since the fight.

         A year since the accident.

         A year since Annie had tried so hard, and, at the end, did not have the strength to hold her daughter. A year since Annie had looked at him, with those teary eyes, and begged him to love her daughter. A year since he didn’t know if he could. A year since he had promised anyway.

         A year since Christina was born.

         A year since Annie had died.

         Christina's happy chatter brought him back to the now. She looked up at him, her angelic face shining with trust and love. And he kept his promise.





Word count: 267