The First Snow

Sunday Photo Fiction is a weekly challenge, hosted by Al Forbes, to write a story using 200 words inspired by a photo prompt.  This week’s prompt was provided by the host himself.

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Sitting carefully to avoid the arthritic pain in her joints, she scoots across the windowsill to look upon the snow-covered road.  Song Yi’s life in England seems a million miles from the place of her birth in Korea. Feeling melancholy, her mind travels back to another time in a different place.

He was a soldier. At her father’s invitation, he arrived to meet Song Yi. Opening the door, she noticed that the first snowflakes of the season blanketed the street.

When their eyes met, they both knew.  She looked away as warmth filled her face.

Their marriage was quick.  Their encounters were brief.  He fought to keep their country free and died a hero.  She was proud but heartbroken.

Song Yi smells the citron tea before her granddaughter, Rebecca, comes around the corner.  Handing the tea to her grandmother, she bends and kisses her forehead.

“I know what you are thinking of,” Rebecca said.  “It is the first snowfall of the season.”

Song Yi smiles sadly.  She grips the warm mug and glances up at her granddaughter.  She sees him there.  Rebecca has his eyes.

Song Yi turns toward the snow and back to her memories, the sting again removed.

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