A Falling Leaf
light rain falls from the slate grey sky. Richard stands silent, his hands clasped in front of him. The rain means nothing to him as it soaks his black suit. It runs in trickles down his face masking the tears.
A priest stands nearby beneath the shelter of a white umbrella. "Ashes to ashes," says the priest lifting a clump of damp earth from the excavated pile, "Dust to dust." He throws the earth into the grave. It splatters on the coffin, a dark stain on the brass plate. The rain eats at the earth. Small dark rivers flow across the brass plate, tracing the engraved letters.
The priest hands Richard a bible. He takes it numbly barely registering the priests presence. The priests and rest on Richards shoulder as he offers platitudes. Richard isn't listening. He watches as the rain slowly washes all trace of earth from the coffin.
The mourners offer words off support as they begin to depart. Richard doesn't hear them. He hears nothing but Sarahs voice as they sit, arms around each other. Her laughter as he surprises her with a bouquet of roses.
The mourners embraces bring nothing but memories. Memories of Sarahs silken skin on long summer nights. Her warm cheek resting against his chest The soft caress of her lips.
The rain stops and the sun breaks through the clouds. Richard looks up at the sky., at the patch of blue. A blue the same colour as Sarahs eyes. Everywhere he looks Richard is reminded of her. The very air he breathes stirs memories of the scent of her hair as the dance.
A light breeze rustles the leaves of nearby tree. A leaf detaches and falls towards the ground. Richards eyes focus on it. A leaf the same colour as Sarahs hair. He tries to turn his head before the vision can start again. The leaf floats toward the ground he can't take his eyes from it. It falls. She falls Arms outspread to catch the wind. She smiles as she falls. No fear. Her auburn hair streams out behind her.
The leaf touches the ground. Richard shuts his eyes, but can't stop the vision. Sarahs body strikes the ground. The sound of bones breaking assaults his ears. Blood, blood everywhere. A dark pool encircling her body. Streaks of red on her pale cheek. Her blue eyes are open, their spark gone. Richard collapses to his knees, the bible dropping to the ground. He clamps his hands to his ears trying to block out the scream. His scream. Why?
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