Christmas Present. A Fifty-Word Story for @Jayna
Image free for commercial use in Max Pixel - Image in the Public Domain
Christmas Present
Thirty Christmases rescheduling freedom. “Glioblastoma, stage 4…” and “Merry Christmas,” in identical envelopes, one containing 10,000 bucks. The other, today’s news. She clings to her old dream, determined to get it on that plane. Eyes closed, deep breath, rainbow-colored snowflakes. Time to go see real snow. “Two months will do.”
Regalo de Navidad
Treinta navidades reprogramando la libertad. “Glioblastoma, grado 4…” y “Feliz Navidad”, en sobres idénticos, uno con 10.000 dólares. El otro con la noticia de hoy. Ella se aferra a un viejo sueño, decidida a subirlo en ese avión. Ojos cerrados, respiro profundo, copos de nieve multicolores. Tiempo de ir a ver nieve de verdad. “Con dos meses me alcanza”.
Image in the Public Domain (PublicDomainPictures.net)
About Jayna's 50-Word Challenge
@jayna’s 50-Word Challenge is also a workshop. Authors provide insights on the making of their stories, backstories and more. It is really an interesting and amusing learning and creative experience. Click here to check it out.
About the Making of This 50-Word Story
Cumaná is a hot city. You would not believe it. Everyday a regular citizen must walk miles to the nearest bus stop—and beg for one to appear (instead of a truck for chickens or cattle)—or go straight to work under severe burning sunlight like fire. “You walk no matter what because you fear to get stuck,” my friend used to say; she lost the battle to cancer and to this government.
In this city, you feel your skull in flames, your thighs under your jeans sweat and burn, too. The soles of your cheap shoes feel thin; the heat stings your nerves; your feet blister. The beach is near; we make up the coast, practically; so there’s saline breeze now and then. Oily faces shine alive, while saltpeter wastes you away.
In this city, your dreams get stuck. Some people decide to get those dreams on a plane. Some of them understand it too late.
Thanks for reading.
Posted from my blog with SteemPress : https://marlyncabrera.timeets.com/2018/12/01/christmas-present-a-fifty-word-story-for-jayna/
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Chills ran down my spine to read what you have written. Thank you for reminding us that life is short ❤️
Thank you, @joeylim, for your positive feedback. Life is short indeed, and we must make the best of it. This may be a truism, but one we often forget about.
Heart-breaking. Beautifully done.
Thanks. I was thinking about our friend Ana and my mother when I wrote it, but speaking about them would be too much.
That's what i thought; that's why it broke my heart
This is a sweet and sad story, @marlyncabrera. And your description of the city is so beautifully written. I really enjoyed reading that too, although I'm very sorry to hear about your friend. I hope she lives happily in your memories.
Thank you, @jayna. She does (there's a little of my mother there, too). Snowflakes make me think of "sweet and sad" scenes because they are beautiful and ephemeral, I guess :)
Me too. Like snow globes. They are such happy little things, with those beautiful and charming snowflakes scattering all about, and yet there is something a bit melancholy about them too. I also remember my mother at Christmastime. She was a rather challenging woman, but she made Christmas amazing.
Strong women make strong memories. Mothers is a topic I like to explore now and then in my fictions, even though it seems everything about it has been said already. I guess you never get tired of some things.
There's always a fresh way to tell a story that feels familiar.