Flickering Flames

As with every haunting memory, they manifest more boldly at night.

She was lying on her right side, in the center of the king sized bed, with her tiny, pup snuggled up against her thigh.

The pillow was formed to support her neck, and the right side of her face was burrowed down touching the pillow's soft, ironed, case.

Her right arm was angled up, so her hand could reach her head. She ran her fingers through her long, blonde, tresses, tugging at them softly, and twirling some around the tip of her first finger.

Memories of old held her captive. They were as real as the over head fan that caused the air to flutter around her. The breeze that was created left her bare skin trembling, yet she lay there, with the sheets about her waist, while gazing deeply into the flickering flame of the candle beside her. Her thoughts had traveled back in time and she could not will herself to keep them buried.

She felt him beside her, his arm stretched over her waist, and his hand softly touching her stomach. His breath was even, deep, and comforting. His presence, even while sleeping, gave her a feeling of safety, and comfort. The pure, raw, love that was emitted from his being was filling the voids she had forever lived with.

As her thoughts ran deeper she could plainly see his face as she had when she was on her stomach, with her head propped in her hands, studying him while he slept. Every line on his face could be seen, every curve traced. She clearly saw his chest rise and fall with each breath, and her soul smiled.

It wasn't until a fully formed tear trickled down her cheek that she was transmitted back into the present. The trickle of a tear became a river, a river that seemed to have no end and no beginning.

While still watching the dancing flame of the candle, she pulled the sheets up and around her chilled body. She then  leaned up on her elbow and gently blew out the glowing flame before placing her head back on the pillow, and she continually attempted to dry the free flowing tears with the dampened sheets.