The Canyons

“…how’s about we take a road trip to the Canyons?” her face beamed with excitement.  I glanced at her then back on the road, “Are you sure, honey? I mean like we been there for a million times already.” She slumped back to the seat, “Yea, I guess you’re right.” I sensed her spirits was down, “I guess we can drop by on the way to my parents?” She smiled then lean over to kiss my cheek. I grinned, “I don’t know why you love it there so much.”  She stopped to think and though in the dark I knew she was biting her lips, “I guess beauty never fades there, no matter how many times you go it’s still the same heart-stopping scene.”  Then came the bright lights...

I shut my suitcase tight. Alice’s already settled in the passenger’s seat. I loaded everything into the trunk. In no time, I started the long drive to Flagstaff. Yea, it’s the trip we’ve been planning for. I smiled. Spring finally came to an end, not that I don’t like the season- I just wanted it to pass. Summer’s now knocking on Mother Nature’s door and now’s the right time for a road trip. Nothing like sunshine, brownness and summer breeze to wake your senses- well, it beats the workplace.

Ah, the’ 62.1 miles to Flagstaff’ sign. My neck muscles ached from the long drive. I looked at my wife, “Here we are darling- where the beauty never ends.” I turn back to the road and she smiled.  I drove and headed for the North Rim. I switched the channel for slower tracks. I could hear her sigh, waiting patiently. If she had her way, I think I’d be persuaded to live in one of the caves here too- don’t tell her that though, she might just give me a smack. Now there’s a thought to laugh about.  

The day was about to end. Orange and red hue stretched its arms, colouring clouds and bathing the sky in the loveliest combination. The scenery just took my breath away. Alice was right, she always is. I bit my lip as I looked past the tall rocks and over the dry rocky terrain. Suddenly, I could feel Alice smiling, I smiled. “Beauty never fades here, no matter how many times.”

I opened the porcelain box.

“It’s time that you fly and rest forever in the place you love… I love you, baby.” I held the ashes on my open palm and the breeze-like cued- blew them away.  “Always your beauty will remain here, Alice.” For a moment, I could feel a warm familiar touch on my cheek. I closed my eyes.

 I will always love you. 

Then the wind blew it away.

"Nothing Extraoridinary Happens"

White clouds floated over in the vast blue ocean of gases, colouring the dull skies of tiny Pittsville. Nothing out of the ordinary was going on that day. The milk cart (as Alice noticed outside her window)  came, dropped the daily milk supply, picked up the empty glass bottles and left, leaving the street as quiet as before. Before breakfast, Mr Grande was seen on his usual walk around the neighbourhood with his pet Chihuahua. Alice never got used to the idea of a very, very rotund man with a small animal and vividly imagined the life of little Petty which involved squashing and apologising (on the part of the rotund man, that is)

After breakfast, Alice continued her ‘watchman’ duty at her window. Carefully, she observed everything her vision could reach. Nothing out of the ordinary happened. Mr Carter got into his car and left at 10 sharp. Lisa, the Joseph’s housekeeper went in and started pulling the curtains and tidying up the living room at 10.30 or so. With a sigh, she sat back and had pleasure watching the rest of the activities that morning.

The moment she turned east to the playground, she saw an unusual movement. A shadow towards the bushes and the bushes kept twitching. For a moment, she wondered what it could be. Without another moment to spare, Alice grabbed her coat and shoes. Quietly with her socks on, she crept passed the kitchen (where, Alice has always observed, mom would be preparing lunch or reading cookbooks)

It wasn’t long when Alice appeared at the edge of the playground. Her blue eyes attentively watched the bush of any movement. She stood still there for a moment. The cold October wind blew and sent leaves flying down and around the playground.

Then there it was! The Twitch; the movement she was waiting for. Quietly and keeping a

close eye on the bush, Alice walked up to it.

Alice walked closer, watching with eagle eyes at the small opening at the bottom of the bush.

Getting down on all fours, Alice tried to peek inside but her vision was limited by an extended part of the bush. Slowly, Alice crept in. She saw a teddy bear lying at the end of the ‘bush tunnel’ she had been crawling in. Without thinking twice, she advanced to the bear and picked it up, cuddling it in her arms. A voice made her turn. Alice smiled.

“Would you like to join me for tea with Mr Teddy?” said another little girl, sitting by a tiny table with a beautiful tea set and another plush toy by her side.

Alice nodded and sat opposite the girl.

Happily, they enjoyed their play with the toys without noticing that they were being watched by a pair of hungry eyes.

“Residents of Pittsville and surrounding areas have to be on their guard for a dangerous criminal, Russell Swans has escaped while being transported to the high and tight security prison here in Jensen. Russell, a child serial killer, has been sentenced to death by the Jensen High Court for the killings of over thirty children, mostly girls from the age 5 to 10. Citizens are advised to keep their children indoors and monitor any unusual movements in the surroundings of their neighbourhood to ensure the safety of the community. This is Caroline Bay and you’re watching News on 9.”