Bluebell SSS Prompt No. 4 ~ Rhapsody In Blue

 

                                                              The wharf was a picturesque hive of activity . A dozen little , white boats moored at the water's edge , jostled for space , bobbing in the breeze , cerulean-coloured sails flapping , impatient to leave on their maiden adventure .

"They told me you were dead ."

"They told me you didn't care ."

"I searched for you … for a long , long time . I never really stopped looking …"

His eyes rested on the lapis lazuli nestled in its chain setting . A strange sensation , almost dizziness , washed over her , blurring her vision for a few moments .

"Do you remember the significance of this ?"

"The stone of friendship and truth . How could I ever forget ?"

" ——–said to encourage harmony in relationships ——"

" ——–and help its wearer to be authentic ," she ended on a sigh , of regret or fatigue ?

He paused :"The wearer I knew WAS authentic , genuine … a true friend ." The tone harboured two decades of wonder … of unanswered questions .

The boats left the harbour , no more blue sails flapping in the breeze . Blue had been the colour of significance all those years ago , in another life time . Her thoughts were mirrored in his eyes .

"Do you remember that last dance …" Gershwin's Rhapsody In Blue lingered on the edges of fragmented memory . 

No words were needed . Just a simple nod .

" … the blue dress was certainly a hit …"

" … and I was the envy of every man in the place …"

She touched the pendant – almost reverently . The opaque blue gemstone shimmered , knowingly . The flood of a thousand long-forgotten details blotted out the horror of the last conscious memory … the moment of impact when time stood still …

An imperceptible change and the world shifted to a multi-coloured panorama . A red-and-white striped vendor cart parked under a shady spot . A toddler chased her yellow sunhat which tumbled along the side walk . A purple-suited clown hoisted an orange umbrella whilst he battled to hold on to a cluster of red , black and silver balloons , which escaped into the azure sky . 

The blue sails diminished into a row of dots on the water .

Check out the Bluebell Short Story Slam prompt at http://bluebellbooks.blogspot.com/2011/06/thursday-short-story-slam_21.html              

22 Comments

  1. Charles L. Mashburn on June 22, 2011 at 11:36 pm

    Very nicely done. I enjoyed this a lot! The last paragraph and last line were wonderful!

    • mish on June 23, 2011 at 5:19 pm

      Thanks for the thumbs up !

  2. Jingle on June 23, 2011 at 12:26 am

    wow, amazing.
    love your creative thoughts.
    well done.

    • mish on June 23, 2011 at 5:19 pm

      Thanks Jingle ! 🙂

  3. Ina on June 23, 2011 at 7:04 am

    Even the start of the story has some blue in it as apparently the friend came out of the blue,?  the mood was blue, lovely how you used the colours in this story! The blue sails diminishing, the bright colours appearing… Marvellous!  🙂

    • mish on June 23, 2011 at 5:22 pm

      I’m glad that you picked up on that ! And yes – blue is the focus of this piece 🙂

  4. Berowne on June 23, 2011 at 12:35 pm

    Very well written…

    • mish on June 23, 2011 at 5:22 pm

      Thanks for visiting !

  5. Altonian on June 23, 2011 at 5:23 pm

    Remarkably lovely, tender, story – but memories can sometimes be painful.

    • mish on June 23, 2011 at 6:58 pm

      Very true ~ though one has to also confront the memories to try and work through the pain … and hope for closure of some sort .

  6. thingy on June 23, 2011 at 8:04 pm

    Ooh, a lot going on. Mysterious and intriguing. Terrific write.

    • mish on June 23, 2011 at 8:55 pm

      Yep , loaded with unwritten info – thanks for the comment !

  7. Lyn on June 23, 2011 at 8:41 pm

    This weaves through time and space with a real sense of mystery…secrets held.. and I love the blue that threads through this…

    • mish on June 23, 2011 at 8:58 pm

      Glad the mystery/secrets got your attention ! Thanks Lyn .

  8. Mindlovemisery on June 24, 2011 at 2:44 pm

    I love the story an all too real situation for many and you very effectively used the color blue throughout. Great story-telling

    • mish on June 24, 2011 at 10:05 pm

      Thanks for popping in and for the comment .

  9. A.B. Thomas on June 26, 2011 at 1:25 pm

    what a great story you have crafted!

    • mish on June 26, 2011 at 8:14 pm

      Thanks so much !

  10. Joss on July 2, 2011 at 2:12 pm

    'a moment in time' . Well done.

    • mish on July 2, 2011 at 9:10 pm

      … the present and the past … thanks for visiting !

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