It’s near dusk as I round the corner, heading away from the town’s paved streets. Mom told me not to go, but she knew I’d go anyway. Like mother, like daughter.
I make a left turn, then a right. Bright Freesia blossoms line the alley-ways between the houses and cottages, shifting in the gentle breeze, and the air’s thick with their scent. In daylight, these alleys are a maze we play in. But at dusk, you can get through. Twice, now, I’ve found my way to the place of gold and song. You must focus, look, and listen, because the way changes.
But I’m remembering the last time. The warmth, the music, the joy. The memory quickens my feet, makes them impatient.
“Lost Beyond the Flowers” is now available to read for free at Factor Four magazine, as part of their August 2024 issue.
