The Shadow (short story)

By: Aubrey Matzan 

Lola was all alone walking along the streets of the festival. Her mother had always left the nine-year-old Lola by herself. From a young age, Lola had to learn to be independent. Her father died when she was just four years old and it left her mother heartbroken and she never seemed to recover. Lola took care of her, even though she was hurting too. But now, her mom was too wrapped up in her own world to even notice Lola.

She walked down the narrow pathway on the beach. The lights from the festival shone on the ocean bay. The sound of the water's ripples set the mood of the night. As Lola looked around she watched couples kiss and families hold hands. It hurt her to know that she would never have that happily ever after. Suddenly, she saw a shadow. It was in the shape of a figure. A woman in particular. She stood out as she was all alone. As Lola walked closer and closer to the figure, she realized it was no stranger. It was her mother. She jogged across the sand until she was a couple of feet away.

"Mom, what are you doing out here? I thought you were with the fortune teller?"

Her mother's mouth started to tremble. She finally spoke up, " I was out here trying to find you. As the fortune-teller foretold the future she said my greatest joy would be here... with you. She told me to come here and tell you how sorry I am. And truly I am. When your father died I was in pieces. I should have been there for you because I know you were hurting too. It's been five years. Fives years of pain. Mostly yours. I know having to grow up at a mere 4 years old to take care of your weakly mother must have been hard. I was embarrassed. Embarrassed at myself knowing how bad of a mother I was, that I am. It was easier to resent you then to take care of you. I want to start over. I want to be your mother. I want you to let me be your mother. Please, I ask for your forgiveness. Let's be happy. Let's have our happily ever after.

A tear slid down the side of Lola's cheek. Even though she was only nine years old she felt exactly what her mother said. This was truly the fairytale that Lola had been hoping for. She was so overwhelmed with emotion that all the could do is grab her mother's hand. It was just as warm and soft as she remembered. They walked back up to the pathway to the festival.

"How about we go get some ice cream! How does that sound?" Her mother said trying to compensate for all the time they lost.

All Lola could do was simply nod. As they walked once more to go get some ice cream, Lola saw something in the corner of her eye. She turns her head to see her mother. At the bar, having a drink. She blinks twice to confirm what she saw. In shock, Lola looked down at where her hand was being held. She was gone.