“Where is it … where is it?” Anna asked in disbelief. Paul kept looking out into the river as if searching for any sign of what was once their home. Millie’s head leaned into Maritza as they all hugged together. “I don’t know, baby,” Maritza said softly to Anna. “I don’t know …” Tears started down Millie’s face and Anna started crying softly. Maritza turned to Paul as she tried to hold her own tears from flowing. “What do we do now?” she asked Paul. Paul paused a second searching for an answer. He had none and flatly intoned, “I don’t know. Start over I guess.” At that moment, the grey overcast sky opened up enough for the sun to shine through the clouds. As Maritza looked up and let the light warm her face, she thought to herself that as fragile as hope is, it never dies. And for this moment, hope is all they had.
Literary Brushstrokes 16