3 of 58

Write now Article Tools

They walked in through an arbor with mounds of snowy white flower clouds of Sweet-Autumn Clematis. They were showered in petals as the breeze suddenly picked up.

"It's snowing! I love this kind of snow. No need to shovel it," Caroline exclaimed happily her smiling face upturned to the white petals falling around them.

How he loved seeing her happy. "Don't you have some of this at the summer house? You were always upset that we had to go back home before it bloomed," he said casually.

"Yes, I remember that," she answered sobering quickly.

He could've kicked himself for mentioning such a tender topic. She fluffed out the blanket and spread it out on the grass knoll overlooking the long flower beds full to overflowing with late blooming perennials. They sat down and Brad handed her the salad. He took a sandwich and gazed longingly at her.

"I've missed you, Caroline," he said quietly.

She had just taken a mouthful and paused in mid-chew. She found it difficult to swallow. There had been so much they had shared, so much they went through together yet she felt miles apart from him, always had really, before the divorce, before the marriage. Only one person had made her feel connected. She looked away from Brad's handsome face and gazed at the beautiful flowers and the changing colors of the surrounding trees.

"I love this place. Of all the things that have changed since we were kids this is the only thing I don't mind," she said wistfully. She knew now what they meant when they say you can't go home again. Home changes as soon as you leave it. The Botanical garden sat on what used to be Tallyman's Peach Farm. The new mall once was the place she and her friends used to pick wild flowers and ride their horses. The development where she now lived used to be the woods in which she, Brad and their two brothers used to play hide and seek.

"Sometimes progress progresses too fast," he said as if reading her mind.

She smiled sadly. "The Lorax. You used to read it to Laurie all the time," she said wistfully. She suddenly felt like crying. The divorce had torn their family to shreds.

"My favorites were the Bar-ba-loots in their Bar-ba-loot suits. I told Laurie I looked for one for me but they didn't come in my size," he said trying to stay light in tone. It was no use. Caroline was just too melancholy and he knew who to blame. Mike was to blame for everything. "I'd do anything to get you to love me as much." he said before he could stop himself.

"As much as you liked the Bar-be-loots?

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Short stories: Blame?
We want to hear your view. Write now!