Sunset

The sunset on the cottage by the sea. The tell tale pinking of the sky and the golden hue of air and sky deepened. The colors melted into each other with a magical sharpness that enthralled. She knew dinner was late. She knew that he would come home soon; sullen and bitter with what the day had wrought and what this life had brought. That bitterness encompassed her at times. Moments like this though brought calm and peace. The golden sunlight moments were hers alone.

She breathed in the wet salt air and smelled the fishy brine of her home. She knew her dreams dissolved like the holy host on her tongue. The children she ached for and the blessings she yearned for. She felt free of her aches and yearnings during her stolen moments.

The snap of the clothes on the line returned her musings to reality. The wet air would ruin her work for the day. She began taking in laundry after her second miscarriage. She was known for her sweet smelling clothes. She rinsed in lavender water, but she knew it was the sunshine that freshened. She used to cluck over the baby clothes and nappies she washed. Fussing and dreaming that she would have to answer a skwall of a child stirred from a nap. She would answer the call happily. She knew in her heart that she wasn't barren, she craved a baby too badly.

She had that dream of chasing a small child around the shed; laughter ringing true on the ocean breeze. When she caught the wee one, and he looked up he had her eyes. She knew the angels would not have sent such a sign without fruition.

The snap of the clothes called her again and she answered with a quick turn that broke her revelry. A sure march across the packed dirt of the ground gave her the solidness to do her duty.