The Long Goodbye - A Piece of Flashfiction

I gaze drearily out of the window, tracing the spiralling snowflakes as they flutter to the ground. I trace her silhouette, reflecting in the glass, misting over. Gliding across to the window, I stare at her reflection; those sad, sea-blue eyes, lost, searching for something – her auburn hair cascading over her shoulders, veiling her face. She’s been crying.

A velvety hand on my shoulder brings me back to reality. Anna caresses my hand, guiding me to the front door. I reach out tentatively. It’s been thirteen years since I last saw Vicky. The memories play on repeat, like a movie. None of that was meant to happen. I should never have left her alone.

Hesitantly, I lift the latch, revealing her. I breathe in the sweet aroma of mango, the scent of mint wafting through the air. She looks more glamourous than ever: her turquoise eyes glisten, rimmed with shimmering eye shadow; her lips glow a burning red. Her makeup is done so delicately – not a blemish in sight. Yet something isn’t right. She looks lost. I cocoon her hand, as Anna did mine, inviting her in. The corners of her mouth twitch into a smile, but her eyes remain distant.

We spend the whole afternoon together. Anna helps us to bake gingerbread cookies. We sing carols exultantly. We build snowmen and make snow angels. Laughter drowns out the peeling bells of the ancient church. We go ice skating on the lake, holding hands as we swirl around, pretending to perform in ‘The Nutcracker’ or ‘Swan Lake’. We watch ‘Ebeneezer: A Rock Musical’ at the theatre.

My eyes brim with tears and I snap the photo album shut. Reminiscence of the past should make me happy. But it doesn’t. It makes me angry.

That was before the depression took control.