Memories of a Lost Love

We had a choice of two prompts today.  One was to write a story of 640 words, and the other was to include the words musky and vermillion in our story.  I was able to incorporate both prompts in my story for today.  I've titled this one Memories of a Lost Love.  I hope you enjoy. 

     His movements were slow as he moved through the attic.  The musky smell was uncomfortable, but it was important that he find just the right portrait.  He knew it was here, he’d been the one to store it in the first place. 

     As he searched, his mind went back in time to that fateful day.  The cerulean blue sky had been filled with the fluffy white clouds that looked like a grouping of cotton balls, the air cold with a brisk north wind.  His gaze had turned to the jetty where the vermillion ferry waited, and he’d struggled to keep his emotions hidden as she’d walked down to the pier with her luggage.  The fight they’d had the night before had been fresh in his mind.

     She’d turned just before stepping onto the boat, as if her gaze had been seeking him out, giving him a final chance to change his mind.  That was something he’d had no intention of doing.  In retrospect, he admitted now that he’d been too full of himself.  He’d been so sure that she would be the one to make the first move and apologize.  He hadn’t known then…

     The creak of a floorboard brought his attention back to the task at hand.  Glancing down he caught a glimpse of the very painting that he’d been searching for.  A smile graced his scarred face as he reached out to lift the one thing in this old house that held any meaning to him. 

     He brushed the dust from the canvass and set it on the old easel that seemed like a permanent fixture up there.  His fingers traced the face of the woman as he saw her once again as she’d been then, so vibrant and full of life.  He hadn’t been aware at the time just how full of life she was then.  Now, all he had were regrets.

     The sound of a doorbell chiming had him making his way downstairs to the front door.  He opened it to see a woman walking down the steps of the front porch. 

     His voice was hoarse from lack of use as he asked, “Can I help you?”

     She turned and the years melted away. 

     He was unaware of the tear making its way down his cheek as he stared at the love of his life.  His mouth opened but it was impossible to hear what he’d said. 

     The young woman smiled up at the elderly gentleman.  His scarred face didn’t seem to faze her.  There was something oddly familiar about it.  She moved back up onto the porch, holding her hand out to him she said, “Hello.  My name is Faith.  I was told that a Carson Rutledge lives here.”

     He bowed his head slightly in acknowledgement.  “I’m Carson Rutledge.”

     Her eyes were suddenly intense on him, as if she were seeking some kind of sign.  Her lips quivered as her chin trembled a bit.  Her voice was soft and he had to struggle to hear what she was saying.  “I have a letter for you from Helena Ackers.”

     Carson held out his hand and Faith pulled an envelope from her purse and handed it to him.  He accepted the envelope and brought it up to his face, taking a deep breath.  A smile graced his face once again as he detected her scent on the envelope.  Closing his eyes briefly, he whispered, “Elena…my love.”

     Faith fidgeted, uncomfortable with the way the man reacted to her grandmother’s name and the letter she’d been tasked with bringing to the old man.

     Carson opened the letter and quickly scanned the contents.  The tear that had fallen earlier was joined by several others as he read her final words.

My dearest love,

I thought it time that you finally meet your granddaughter.  Forgive yourself, I have.

Forever yours,

Helena