Papier-mâché Dreams: Eclectic Flash & Short Fiction

Love, From Niagara Falls

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Dear Mona,

Would you believe I’m standing on the spot where we stood one year ago today? It’s been a lonely year not having you in my life, but I’m trying to make it without you. On the drive here, I made sure to stop at the same places we visited on our destination wedding trip. The small diner you raved about is still open for business. I even sat at the same booth where we secretly carved a heart with our initials on the wooden pillar. I wanted to recreate as much of our trip as I could. Of course, I booked the same room at the hotel where we spent our wedding night.

I must admit the weather today feels just like it did the morning after our wedding. I remember the wind causing your white blouse to ripple beautifully against your breasts. Your long pink skirt blew back and forth fiercely against your lean legs. I was so jealous of the wind at that moment. I’m closing my eyes for a moment to remember your dark hair dancing aimlessly in the wind. The ringlet curls on your pretty head bounced back and forth. Remember the huge grin I had on my face when you took off your scarf to feel the wind blow through your hair? I watched you raise the scarf above your head with two hands while you let it blow in the breeze. Your face showed that come-get-me look I’d always call you on and you’d always deny. I loved when you did things like that. You were so free-spirited and loving. I’m wearing the windbreaker you bought for me before our trip.

As I watch the water barrel down the cliffs here in Niagara Falls, you’re heavy on my mind. I’m reminiscing about you standing by my side at sunset watching this natural wonder. We were mesmerized in silence as we watched the glorious water falling over the cliffs. I watched you stare into the distance and thought you were caught up in the majesty of the view. When you turned to whisper in my ear, I pulled you closer to hear your lovely voice over the amazing noise of the Falls. Your breath in my ear made my body tingle. But, the words, I want a divorce were deafening. I thought I was in a dream. After a few moments, I realized I had to plead my case. I explained to you my regret that our wedding night wasn’t everything you expected. My pledge that things would get better if you’d give me another chance was all I could offer. Your words, no chance is going to fix that thing, was a painful blow to my heart. I don’t regret falling to my knees begging you to reconsider your request. Your resolve was unshaken. I watched the eyes that previously looked at me with love, bulge out in terror. The veins in your lovely neck protruded as you attempted to escape from the tight grip of my hands. The raspy sound of your voice fighting for air was barely heard over the sound of the roaring waters. Your flailing arms and legs stopped after a short while. I watched the colors of your face turn from a flushed red to an ugly shade of blue. As your body rolled over the guardrail, I thought I heard you cry for me. The thunderous sound of the Falls filled my senses at that moment. I could see your body fall further and further into the watery abyss. The newspaper reports of your suicidal death and unrecovered body allow me to stand here today at your resting place. 

My new fiancée is preparing for our wedding ceremony at this moment. I know she’ll love this view. She reminds me of you with her dark, curly hair. I’ll bring my new bride here tomorrow morning to stand with me at dawn. Rest well, my love. Until next year.

Your husband forever,

Ron

P. S.  I think she might be a keeper.

The Old Neighborhood

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Bye, Joelle! Trina yelled as she watched her cousin walk down the sidewalk. 

Bye girl, and thanks for everything. I’ll call you later, Joelle yelled back to her cousin Trina who stood in the doorway of the three-story apartment building.

Joelle checked her wristwatch and realized she needed to keep up her pace if she wanted to make the bus in time. This was the first time she’d been in the neighborhood for years. As she walked further toward the corner, Joelle was surprised at how the buildings and houses looked the same only older and more worn. She got further confirmation of things being the same when she saw the group of boys and young men standing across the street. They were just different people that replaced the ones that stood at those same spots in past years. Joelle walked a little faster after noticing the mannerisms of what she knew was a drug deal taking place across the street. 

Hey, you! Love those bell bottoms, yelled a man standing in the group across the street.

Joelle turned her head only slightly but kept walking. A deep crack on the sidewalk caught her shoes and she stumbled almost falling to the ground before catching her balance. Joelle thought her new platform shoes looked good with her bell bottom jeans. As she recovered from her stumble, she realized the loud laughter coming from across the street was because of her. Joelle confidently lifted her head with her well-coiffed afro and continued her walk. One thing that had changed was the lack of bus stops in the neighborhood, she thought. Joelle was slightly annoyed at having to walk so far to the stop since there used to be a bus stop on almost every corner. The next block led to a hill she needed to walk down to get to the bus stop. Rounding the corner at the top of the hill, she could see the old athletic field was still there. Organized little league games were played there when she was younger. In later years, activists protesting Vietnam held speeches. By the time Joelle’s family moved from the neighborhood, the field was mostly used for pickup sports. 

Joelle noticed the trash that lined the ground against the fence from one end to the other. Her eyes started to focus on what looked like four men standing at the far side of the field. Joelle felt like her heart skip a beat when she saw what looked like a large tiger sitting against the fence near the men. Joelle thought her eyes were playing tricks. That’s a Tiger! Joelle said out loud. She stopped walking and stared across the large field at the animal. The tiger appeared to have what looked like a white rope tied to a collar on its neck and attached to the fence. Joelle thought to herself: I have lots of imagination, but even I can’t think of a scenario of why a Tiger would be in the field right now. She kept her eyes on the Tiger as she got closer to the corner where the bus stop was located. All at once, the Tiger stood on all fours, lifted its head and appeared to be looking in her direction. Joelle immediately thought about the Wild Kingdom television program that showed how animals perked up and eyed their prey. The men in the field were now in a scuffle near the animal and the rope. Joelle saw the exact moment the Tiger broke away from its rope. The Tiger started running across the field in Joelle’s direction. Whoa! Joelle said in a low voice as if someone else was standing next to her. She was in shock for a second, but not shocked enough to stand still looking foolish. Joelle took off running down the block. She ran past the bus stop and further down the block looking for a door to run into for safety. It was Sunday and most businesses on the main avenue were closed. Joelle felt a slight rush of relief when she saw the bus turning the corner at the end of the block. She heard yelling in the distance behind her but didn’t stop to look back. Her mind went to the field and she thought her saving grace may be the fact the opening in the fence was on the far side opposite of where she was walking. Joelle darted out into the street. She jumped up and down and waved her hands signaling the approaching bus to stop. The bus driver leaned on the horn as he got closer to Joelle. Joelle didn’t budge. The squeak of the breaks on the bus could be heard as it came to an abrupt stop just a few yards away from where she stood. Joelle could see the scowl on the bus driver’s face through the large front bus window. She felt taking her life in her hands and acting like an insane person was necessary. She knew from experience bus drivers in that neighborhood would often pass a person by if it wasn’t a designated bus stop.

Please! Open the door, open the door! Joelle yelled and pointed at the bus door as she stood in front of the bus. She silently prayed