Clearing Cobwebs

My mind is kind of hazy right now. I can't really concentrate but I managed to write this short story anyway. I kind of wish I lived in this village now.


Mid-Winter Festival

Fireworks exploded above while the villagers celebrated below. The annual mid-winter festival was something everyone looked forward to each year. Especially Gerald Flynn.

Ever since he was little, Gerald Flynn loved the mid-winter festival. The colourfull lights that covered the city for that weekend transformed the usually dismal village into winter wonderland. The music was always cheerful and made you smile. The shops would all sell specialty sweets and hot chocolate to help you forget how cold you really are. It was an experience Gerald relished. But the most spectacular part was the fireworks.

This particular year he planned on viewing the fireworks from the highest vantage point in the village, the old bell tower on the west part of town. It was a ways a way from the downtown core and all the festivities, but it was worth it. He climbed the ladder of the tower and arrived at the peak where the giant bell hung ominously. Gerald turned to view the fireworks as they shot off above the town.

The beautiful hues of violet, red, and gold burst across the sky showering the village in its radiant light. Streams of white light stretched across the village from all sides. It was magnificent. Each year the display was better than the last and this was no exception. Gerald smiled to himself. It was a good idea to view the festival from the top of the bell tower. However, as he was about to leave something caught his attention.

A young woman had come running to the bottom of the bell tower. She stopped a few feet away and cupped her face in her hands. Following close behind her was a young man. They were too far away from Gerald to hear what they were talking about, but he could tell from their body language they had been fighting.

The man appeared to be pleading with the woman who refused to turn and face him. He circled in front of her a few times and each time she would turn her back on him. 'It must have been a serious fight.' thought Gerald. He leaned out on the tower to see if he could hear anything.

The man was pleading with her now. He put his hand on her shoulder but she shrugged it off. The woman turned and faced him now. She was yelling at him. Gerald could barely make out anything she was saying. He watched, fixated on them.

The man hung his head low and the woman crossed her arms over her chest and turned her head away. They stood like that for a while and the man began again. Whatever he was saying it seemed to be working because before long the woman had turned to face him and her posture softened.

A few minutes later they were hugging. Gerald couldn't image what they could've been fighting about that would cause them to make up this quickly. Eventually curiosity got the better of him and Gerald rushed down the bell tower ladder. When he reached the bottom he opened the door only to find they had already left for town.

Gerald smiled. Only on during the mid-winter festival could someone find it in their heart to forgive so easily. Whatever the fight might have been about, Gerald didn't care. He was just happy that he could to witness the make up.