We surveyed our house’s carbonized skeleton.
“Remember our wedding night?” Marla said. “Dancing in the living room.”
“Right here.” I pointed to a depression in the charred floor.
“The beginning of our new life,” Marla said.
I wiped her eyes and held her, then whispered, “Can I have this dance?”
Tim Boiteau is a Writers of the Future winner and author of The Nilwere (Grendel Press). See more at timboiteau.wordpress.com.
Wow. Another good one by Tim Boiteau.
Devastating, as I have come to expect from you!
Absolutely gorgeous! It brought tears to my eyes. With the cruel onslaught of conflagrations destroying so many homes here in California with their desolated owners sadly sifting through the smoldering ruins, this story is a powerful anecdote to turn despair into hope, tragedy into triumph, and loss into indestructible love!
I see your 50-word reply there….
I could smell the ashes, feel the love. Nice.
Lovely ❤️
What a sweet, endearing story! Thank you!