Time

I stood alone in the almost darkened street. I couldn't figure out why I was here. My head hurt as I touched it with my right hand. My fingers were gooey and wet as I brought them down in front of my brown eyes. Blood dripped from them.

I staggered. I felt wobbly and dizzy as I stared ahead realizing what had happened. I saw dust all around me. It was a devastating sight. Nothing was left. What had happened here?

I closed my eyes and tried to remember. Nothing came. Perhaps, I'd blocked it out. Maybe the memory of seeing what had happened was too raw and painful for me. Yes, that must be it.

I turned to see what was behind me. It was just a huge pile of rubble. Dust flared upwards into the sky. The building had fallen it seemed. As I stared at the open site, I remembered how it had looked before. It was once a tall building where I thought I had lived. In fact, all of my family had lived there but not anymore. Where were they now?

Thinking about it, I hoped they had got out. Then I realized they hadn't lived there for some time. I had lived there with my husband. Husband? But where was he now?

I viewed the area but I couldn't see anyone around. It was just me here out on a deserted street. I didn't know why. Had everyone else gone?

I worried about it as I crossed over to the other side of the road. I stared straight ahead and could see the building had taken up a huge bit of land.

My head still hurt, so I walked further away hoping to find somewhere to get my wound fixed. I needed a hospital but as I walked I could see fields and then I remembered.

The building had been owned by my father and his father before him. I remembered how radiantly spectacular it had been as it stood out for miles. It had stood tall in an area of greenery and trees. There was nothing around but grass and fields now.

I remembered staring out of the window in the morning or sitting on my balcony in the early evening drinking wine, staring out at the view as the sun went down. It had enlightened my heart. The happy feeling of being there made me realize it had once been my home. But why had it fallen?

I kept on walking. I walked for ages down a small road with fields on either side of me. I started to remember how my husband, Tom, had cuddled and kissed me. I remembered the feeling of love he had given me. Always bringing me flowers and surprising me with gifts. Where was he now?

Something vibrated in my pocket. I put my hand in and took out a mobile phone. I'd forgotten it was there. It was ringing. I saw a name on the screen flashing as it rang. It said, Tom. I answered it.

"Hello," I said.

"Hello, Lillie… is that you?"

"Yes, it's me," I answered.

"Thank God. Where are you?"

"I'm walking… I was at our home but it's fallen… crumbled to pieces… it's dust now," I said sadly.

"Yes. I know. I'll come and get you. I'm driving to you now. Stop walking and wait where you are," he said as I listened to his deep voice.

I stopped walking. I wasn't sure where I was going anyway.

"Okay. I'll wait here," I said.

"Good. It won't take long. Just keep talking to me. I have you on the loudspeaker. What can you see around you?" He asked as my eyes viewed the area.

"Em… well… fields. Just fields on each side of the road. I walked away from the building that looked like it had been flattened into dust and I couldn't remember what had happened."

"Yes. That's understandable. Are you feeling okay though?" Tom asked and I remembered my head.

"No. My head hurts and it's bleeding. I must have hit it somehow," I told him as I tried to remember.

"Okay. I'll take you to the hospital when I get there. I'm not far now Lillie. Just hang in there. I'll be there in a couple of minutes," he said as I saw a car in the distance.

"I think I see your car," I told him.

"Yes, I see you too," he said as he got closer.

The car stopped and I watched as Tom got out and came over to me. He put his arms around me and kissed me on my lips as I put the mobile phone back into my pocket. He helped me into the passenger seat and I smiled at him feeling pleased to see him. I noticed how worn out he looked as I saw the dark circles under his eyes. I felt annoyed with myself but I knew I couldn't prevent it.

"Oh, my dear. You are bleeding quite badly. Let's drive to the hospital and get you sorted," he said as he helped me into the car.

"Okay. I'm sorry. I think I remember now what happened. I'm so sorry. I think my memory is getting worse dear."

"I know. We will get through it," he said bravely as I remembered the building that I had grown up in and lived in until recently when it got knocked down. I knew I'd wanted to see it again but forgotten it was no longer there.

Now, at 75 years old, my memory had been deteriorating but at least I had Tom, my caring husband who I loved deeply, and my children and grandchildren.

"Oh… has our granddaughter arrived yet?" I said as I remembered our daughter going into labor just before my mind had gone again.

"Yes, she has. Do you want to go and see her?"

"Yes. I most certainly do. Let's go there now dear," I said as I smiled excitedly.

Love entered my heart at the thought of seeing my newly born granddaughter as I forgot about everything else and realized that every memory was precious.

©️ Denise Larkin 2021. All Rights Reserved.

Also published on Medium.com