LAST SUNSET

This story is prompted by Sue Vincent’s Daily Echo Thursday photo prompt:  #writephoto.

”Elliot walked to the tree in the back corner of his land. He’d come here to think, to relax, to unwind. He enjoyed the view. As he came closer, he saw her. Under his tree. Enjoying his special place.

He paused, watching her. She turned slightly in the breeze, looking up, admiring the sunset. Elliot moved closer. Before he knew it, he had come beside her, and touched her shoulder with his hand.

She jerked, gasped, and turned toward him. Beautiful was the only word to describe her. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to frighten you”

She backed away. “Who are you? What are you doing here?”

“Elliot. And this”, he waved his hand, “belongs to my family.”

“Oh. I didn’t know. I’ll leave.”

She turned from him but not fast enough. He grabbed her arm. “Wait. Don’t leave. Tell me your name.”

“Lana.”

He’d been coming here for years yet he never saw her before. “So, Lana, how long have you been coming here.”

“I found this spot a few months ago, when we moved here. It’s gorgeous. I come every chance I can.”

“Well, Lana, perhaps we’ll meet here again.”

“Perhaps.”

He turned and left. But he couldn’t get her out of his mind. He returned every night hoping to see her again, but she hadn’t returned. Did he miss his chance? Why didn’t he say something when he’d met her? He stared at the sunset, and the starlings. As the sun dropped beneath the horizon, he turned to leave. There she was. Standing behind him. This was the beginning of their relationship.

This was their spot. They met every day, talking, laughing, dreaming about the future. Planning their lives together.

Even after they married, they came to their tree and watched the sunset. It’s where they shared their secrets, their desires, and the little things that made their day.

Today was their anniversary. Sitting under their tree, they stared up at the horizon, watching the sun and clouds frame the sky as the orange hues spread into the pale blue.

Lana turned to him and whispered, “You’re going to be a father.”

He couldn’t have been more pleased.

Today, he sat alone. Staring at the sky. Today, it was but a reflection of the dawn, no more no less. It held no warmth. No promise for the coming days. Even the starlings flew away from him. The fire that was once the love they shared had been extinguished in one selfish act. He’d lost everything, Lana, his unborn child, his will to live. Today was his last sunset.

This story is prompted by Sue Vincent’s Daily Echo Thursday photo prompt: #writephoto.

Stop over and give it a try. You might be surprised at what you can compose.

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