My Magnolia

Magnolia was at her favorite place. The familiar grains of sand sank between her toes like the touch of a friend almost forgotten. Her wish had been to return to the beach where she could feel at home if only for a period of time - she only had so long. So long before he realized she was not there. The sun was beginning to sink beneath the ocean creating an explosion of oranges, reds and faint yellow. It was like no time at all had passed since she’d last been here. The wind blew through her hair gently kissing her cheeks with its cool lips. Her lips curved up in a smile as she inhaled the smell that only belonged to the ocean. What a cruel fate life had thrown her way to keep her from this home for so long. It was a wound to her soul that slowly healed with each ebb and flow of the waves against her feet. The bottom of her white dress was slightly damp but could not cling long to her against the pull of the wind.

Magnolia had chosen this dress because it reminded her of when her father took her to the beach when she was a little girl. Magnolia always wore a white dress which almost made it feel like she was repeating a moment in time. She only had so long.

Her ears perk up at the soft clearing of a throat behind her. Of course he was here, he knew her too well. The sound did not demand attention but nonetheless she exhaled deeply because of what his presence meant. She thought she’d have longer. However, Magnolia knew it was only a matter of time before he found where she’d snuck off to. “That did not take you long…” she muses as her eyes focus back on the beauty of the sunset. The way the clouds reflected the beautiful oranges made her wish she could freeze this moment in time and live here forever. He waits a long pause before responding to her, “You are predictable” Magnolia could hear the slight smile in his tone. Her gaze falls to a little crab scuttling by, rushing for the ocean. She laughs softly before shaking her head. “Am I really?”

It was his turn to chuckle softly, it rang deep from his belly. She shivers slightly as a sudden gust of cold wind blows by. “My love, the only place you speak of is this beach. How could I not know you would run off here?” he spoke mirthfully. Of course he would know. Beside her bed were seashells and pictures of the beach. He was always visiting her in that horrible place, he knew she had been itching to get away from white walls and antiseptic. Magnolia inhales deeply to imprint the salt in her lungs before smiling softly. Wherever she went he followed, persistent man. “You too often follow me around” Magnolia took a step further into the water away from him. They were never far.

This time he laughed loudly which made her cheeks ache with the width of her own smile deepening creases in her face. His laugh warmed her body. “Silly woman, you torture me with this consant running from me. I shall call you my bird the way you fly away from my grip. Birdie my dear it is time to come home. Stop fighting me my dear.” He calls from the space behind her. His voice dominated the wind and the cries of children far off in the distance almost like he was beside her. He waited for Magnolia to turn, to acknowledge him if only for a moment. Of course, she was not an obedient woman.

Magnolia did not turn to him, she wanted to enjoy this view. The sea and the sky, the way the sea matched the skies' beauty only for a few moments each day. She belonged here, she could feel it in her bones. The way they felt at ease when she returned like any ache faded here. This was her home and of that she was sure. The sun continued to fade like the sand of an hourglass. How she wished she could remain here forever.

However, she had never felt lighter than at this moment. Part of her was certain she may grow wings and fly off just as he claimed. Her ears perch at the slight sound of feet against the sand. Magnolia had almost forgotten he was behind her - the sunset was like a beacon. “Magnolia” he whispers in her ear. She did not jump, the weight of his presence was comfort for he was always around. Looming in his own way. “You are too quiet my love” Magnolia hums softly leaning back against his chest. He was firm and steady. The familiar weight completed her home. How could he ever ask her to leave? They stand in silence for a long period of time enjoying each other's company. Magnolia listened to her heart beat for a moment connecting her to this place. This was her home. This beach, with him, this is where she belonged. Magnolia felt his boney hands rest on her shoulders as they watched the sun slowly set.

“It’s time my dear” he whispers. He would never ask her to look away from the sunset as his hands gently touched her silver hair. Magnolia sighs softly embracing the peaceful bubble she’s found herself in as his fingers run through the tangles gently unknotting them. “I’m ready” she hums, the chill of his presence slowly begins to overtake the warmth of the beach. His hand slipped in hers as they began to walk down the long winding path of sand. Magnolia looked back out at the horizon. For her, the sun was everything. For him, she was the sun. The grip of his hand tightened slightly making her smile quirk up. Finally the sun set and she felt complete when all that was left was darkness.