The oranges, pinks, and yellows of the sinking sunset peeked through the trees as Clara walked down the park’s new sidewalk. The soft summer breeze drifted softly by, almost knocking Clara over while it tickled the bare skin on her neck where her thin hair stopped short. Carefully balancing her steps, Clara made her way over to a bench off to the side of the playground. Placing her hands on her thighs, she lowered herself down to its wooden surface. For what seemed like days, Clara stared out at the playground beside her, silently observing the little darlings who ran around chasing one another. One child tripped and fell on the wood chips, to the dismay of their mother who came running over, only to see her little boy laughing it off. He hugged his mom tight as she picked him up and held him in her arms. As Clara watched, a single tear fell from her eye. She slowly took out her packet of handkerchiefs from her pocket, and wiped it away.
By the time Clara arrived at her ranch-style home, darkness had taken over the entire sky and whispers of grasshoppers filled the air. From her back pocket, she pulled out her metal keychain, full of the library cards she collected from around the local Florida towns and keys, half of which she didn’t know what they opened. After fumbling through her keychain and trying multiple keys, she was finally able to open her front door. Lightly treading through her china-filled kitchen, she made her way to the bedroom at the end of the house to change into her soft pajamas. Upon crawling into her bed, an orange cat jumped up and rubbed its cheek against hers, purring. She gave him a little kiss on the head before turning out her light and falling into a peaceful slumber.
Leah Bahamonde