Death By An Open Fire
Written by: BandE
He threw the log onto the dying fire and watched as the flames flared , the light reflecting in her still bright eyes. Lying beside her now, he gazed at the flames as they suggested different shapes. A game from childhood, when dirigibles, tanks, Indians on horseback, all could be found contained within the fireplace.
Tonight, his children’s faces came flickering forth, Danny and Deanna, both doing well in their adult years. Palm trees from vacations swayed through the dark along with panting family pets. Smiling to himself, he thought about the good years of their marriage. Both successful, respected and faithful. But, like a fire out of control, the winds of life had shifted and innocence was burnt in its path. The ashes of the marriage cooled on life’s hearth, smoldering and sparking occasionally as the years melted away.
As he put his arm over her, the weight of it caused a little gasp from her lips. The last breath she had taken in, now dispelled. She felt cool to his touch, despite the warmth from the fire and her eyes, now cloudy, no longer reflected the flickering light. He smoothed her hair over the wound . Soon the log with her blood and hair on it would be completely consumed. The evidence would be gone and, after a final kiss, so would he.
