CASSIE URSICH
Fiction
Tall Tails
The sun set over the hill as Neil crawled into his bed. He was about to close his eyes when he heard a soft knock on the door. Neil’s grandfather gave a soft smile to the boy as he walked into the room.
“Hey kiddo, all ready for bed?” Grandpa chuckled as he took a seat on the edge bed. Neil nodded, the dinosaur covers up to his shoulders.
“I know your parents don’t like me keepin’ you up, but how about a story? Just a quick one before you hit the hay,” Grandpa asked as he adjusted the pair of glasses on his face.
“Yes please, the one about grandma.” Neil’s quiet voice said.
“Now let’s see here, a story about grandma Ann.” Grandpa paused for a moment as he tapped his chin.”
“I’ve got it, this one’s a little cheesy, ok?” Neil nodded silently, waiting patiently for the story to begin.
“I was just a young chap at the time. New recruit in the marines, enrolled straight after high school. I can remember the day perfectly. The boys and I had been worked to the bone that morning, so we were looking for a nice place to get a few drinks and relax. We found a little bar not too far from the base. The second I walked in the door my eyes were on her. The bartender that is. She was a tiny woman, no taller than 5’4”.
She had the most gorgeous green eyes that sparkled like emeralds. Her smile lit up the whole room, I swear on it. I just had to talk to her, and that I did. Talked for hours, maybe the whole night. Time didn’t seem to matter when we were in that room. We talked about jobs, family, pets, friends, anything and everything. I didn’t even realize she kept the place open a good hour longer just to talk to me. My buds had long gone back to base, but I guess I just didn’t notice. The last thing I asked was her name and number. Till then I completely forgot to ask, it felt like she knew me longer than I knew myself.
‘Annabella, but you can call me Ann.’ That’s what she said. Then she slid me a piece of paper with her phone number on it.
When I went back to base I got an earful from my Sargent, even had to scrub the cafeteria floor the next day. I couldn’t have cared less though, all that I cared about was that number.”
Grandpa let out a small sigh as he thought for a moment.
“I held on to that paper, till we buried her. I thought she’d like that little piece of our history.” Grandpa wiped a small tear from his cheek.
Neil placed his small hand on his grandfather's hand as a sign of comfort.
“Thanks kiddo, you’re just as sweet as she was.” Grandpa said with a tired smile, but it never fell from his face.
“Richard,” called a voice from the hall.
The two looked over toward the doorway, knowing that their time was up.
Grandpa stood up, tucking in Neil for bed.
“I’ll let you get some shut eye. Gooodnight, Neil.”
“Night, grandpa.” Was the last thing Neil said before drifting off to sleep.
Boulders and Bobs
I’m a hard working man. I’ve put in the time; I’ve put food on the table. I took over the household when dad died. I got my little sister through college. I dropped out my sophomore year just to work to support the family. I let the love of my life go. The string that once connected us, cut.
I rolled my boulder up Mount Everest to the yard of stones. I thought about everyone, but myself. This cannot be my peak. The sun shines bright over my sister, the rays clash against her black dress. A single tear falls from her dreary face.
I attempt to call out to her trying to rest a gentle hand upon her shoulder. “Alison. Alison, I'm here!”
My call falls short as it hits the barrier between reality and fantasy, I can no longer feel the life from my sister that I once felt before.
I feel a cold tap on my shoulder. A woman dressed in a long black gown with pale skin stands behind me. A dark halo covers the eyes of the woman so that only a friendly smile can be seen. Yet she’s too far out of reach to come any closer, and show her full figure.
“Anthony,” she beckons me forth. Her amber coated lips speak my name with a calm grace I cannot comprehend.
I began to feel myself moving towards her, as if I’ve known her all along.
The sound of my heartbeat echoes through the void, but it doesn’t seem to bother her. I stand in front of the truth I’ve known.
Her arms extend around me before I can react. Her embrace is warm, calling to something in my chest.
“It’s ok, Anthony.” She whispers.
I cry in her arms. I cry. Every tear that I’ve been told to hold slips from my grasp.
Poetry
