Issue 10
Nest
D. L. Dodson
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Remnants
The room stood empty. I was drawn to it like that strange light in
the sky lured her when she was ten. Only black circles remained. Remnants of
existence. Then...in the grass. Now...in the carpet.
She was the last. My third take on immortality. Three budding
stalks of humanity. The only thing left to do was watch them bloom.
"It's not the end of the world, mom." She snuck up behind me as I
stared into the vacant space. Her arm wrapped me like a strong wind attacks a
corn field; forceful and determined. I succumbed to the pressure.
I smiled through tears, which I had promised myself she wouldn't
see. "I know," I said. Not convincing. Not to her, nor to me.
"My place is only six blocks away. It's not like I'm moving to an
alien planet."
"True." I smiled again. The subdued tears strangled a lengthier
response.
She kissed me and headed for the door. "Your nest is empty, mom.
Live a little." With that, she was gone.
I dropped to the center of the worn carpet, her memory deep in its
pile, and wept.
~D. L. Dodson
D. L. Dodson enjoys life in the beautiful scenic city of
Chattanooga, Tennessee. She has been published in Touch and Black Velvet
magazines, along with stories in the anthology, God Allows U Turns. She's
currently working on two novels: a mystical Cherokee tale for teens, and an
adult soft horror about spirits in the Tennessee mountains. Ms. Dodson is a
member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators and Zoetrope
Studios. Email.
© 2002 by D. L. Dodson. All Rights Reserved.
© Copyright 2002 by Cayuse Press. All Rights Reserved.
This page updated December 23, 2002.