Writing Resources from Fifteen Minutes of Fiction

Remembrance

“A mosaic, a dance of broken, gleaming fragments ...”

The author finished his sentence and closed the book. He looked up over the pedestal where, he had been reading aloud his latest story to the crowd gathered into the now full auditorium of Hilldonbury College. The onlookers all sat quietly with a glow in their eyes and unwillingness in any of them to break the austere silence that lay heavily over the gathering, as, the magic of the story clung to each and every one of them. 'Awesome' said a small boy near the front who was leaning back into his father whose eyes were closed his cheek pressed gently to his sons head. “Mmm...” the father replied softly. Slowly, the crowd stirred into life as the illusion faded. "Bloody good' said a thin streamlined youth towards the center of the crowd, many people murmured and nodded in agreement. The crowd moved towards the author, congratulations and other forms of approval pressed upon him from all sides for nearly two hours until, finally, his Publicist moved in and ushered the crowed out the large swinging doors at the front of the auditorium and out into the night.

The author looked around at the large empty room smiling with contentment. His books were already flying off the shelves, and to think that two months ago he had been out of work and out of luck. Now, it seemed he had everything he had ever dreamed of.
"Tom" The publicist signaled from the door.
“Yep”
The author walked to the door, pausing momentarily to look back at the empty room. He stopped, the book, was still on the pedestal.
“One second Jack' called the author.”
He walked back across the room to the pedestal to see the book lying open at the inside cover, there was something written just inside. He pulled out his glasses from his shirt pocket placing them on his face and read the note aloud 'Emily misses you'. The author closed the book slowly and stood looking at the cover. There on the cover was a picture of a young boy and girl sitting on a large flat rock in the middle of a large grassy field under the night sky that stretched out above them. The author focused his vision on the girl, she was slightly taller than the boy and thinner too, with long brown hair that hung down past her shoulders, a slightly tanned face that was smiling warmly and big brown eyes that stared deep into the boys own blue eyes. A tear landed on cover, the author took off his glasses and wiped his eyes with a handkerchief from his pocket.

"Tom? We have to go” shouted the publicist from the door

The author picked up the book and, holding it close to his chest followed his publicist out through the doors and into the night.

The author and his publicist got into the back of a silver Mercedes.
'To the airport please' said the publicist leaning over the front seat towards the driver.
“Dam it Tom, we're going to be late for our flight.”
“I’m sorry.” he said apologetically.
“Its fine, I’m glad you enjoyed yourself.” Jack smiled at him reassuringly.
The author was looking at the book again.
“Jack?”
“mmm...?”
“I need to go somewhere before we leave”
“We're already late as it is Tom”
“Please”
The publicist groaned throwing his hands up in a gesture of defeat.
"Thanks," Tom said, "umm driver, we need to turn around."



“Tom! Hurry up!”
‘Damn it!’ thought Tom. Why had he agreed to go on a hike with Emily, she always ran and she was A LOT faster than he was. Well, he knew why he had wanted to go on a hike with her; a chance to be alone with Emily was too good to pass up.
“Coming” shouted Tom at the top of his lungs.
He managed to huff and puff his way up to the edge of the clearing, but Emily was nowhere to be seen.
“Emily?!” shouted Tom worried.
“Over here Tom!” replied Emily, her voice immediately having a calming effect on Tom.
“She must be through the clearing” thought Tom. Geez how far does she want to go, it’s getting pretty dark. He pushed through the bushes and trees until he stumbled out into the clearing. ‘Wow’ He thought to himself. The clearing was spectacular; it was flat with thick but short grass completely encircled on all sides by tall trees. The only obstruction was a large flat rock that rose out of the center of the clearing, and, on top of the rock, sat Emily, staring up into the starry sky. All feelings of weariness gone Tom made his way over to Emily.
“It’s so beautiful here” said Emily still staring at the sky.
“Yeah” replied Tom, “It’s the most amazing thing ever”
“Well” said Emily “nearly”
She turned to look at Tom and blushed to see that he had been looking at her.
Tom leaned forwards, his eyes closed afraid of looking. He felt something warm and moist against his lips and opened his eyes in astonishment to see those familiar brown eyes looking back into his own.
With her lips pressed to his Emily whispered “I love you”
The Mercedes pulled up against the curb.
“Where are we?” Jack asked looking out of the window of the car.
“Stay here, I'll be right back.”
Tom got out of the Mercedes into the night and walked up onto the grass and through grids of stone until he found what he was looking for.
He knelt down and said quietly 'Hey, Emily. I miss you.', he placed his hand on the stone and began to sob into his other hand.
“Tom?” came a voice from out of the darkness.
Tom looked up to see a woman walking towards him.
“Elisabeth” said the Author.
The woman stopped just short of Emily’s grave.
“It’s been a while, Tom”
“I’m sorry I didn’t say goodbye”
“It’s ok, I understand why you left”
The author reached into his coat and pulled out his book.
“Here” he said holding it out to the woman.
“I, I already have a copy”
“It was you, wasn’t it?”
“Yes”
“Thank you”
“Anytime”
“You always knew what I needed most.”
“Well”, said the women smiling “It’s all part of being a big sister. You know, mum and dad, would like to see you, if you have time”
“Sure, I just want to do one more thing.” The author, Tom opened the book to the inside cover and wrote. Dear Emily, I know I’ve stayed away and that is unacceptable. I wasn’t strong enough, after the accident I felt alone and I had to get away for a while, but I always carried you with me in my heart and pen, here is a book I wrote to and for you. I promised you we’d always be together, and now we always will.
Thomas
P.S I love you too.

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