The holidays had always been a cheerful time for Mary, one that was filled with cheer and good will. But when Paul had gone missing, when everyone had thought him dead, things had begun to change. Her once loving husband had grown distant and cold and she had hoped her son’s return would warm those chilled waters. And yet Percival remained as cool as ever.
Mary sat looking out the window, the small flame of the candle casting light on the snow that fell outside the window. Behind her the fire crackled but no child laughed in memory of past holidays and her husband remained in his office. Outside, in the small pool of light the candle cast Mary could see the snowflakes dancing down from the sky and landing on a glittering blanket that seemed to calm the world around them.
She hoped that Percival would call out to her, that he’d come and take her hands in his, fill her glass as he once had and settle in beside her. She missed the man who had become almost a stranger to her. Missed who they had once been. A bittersweet melancholy filled Mary as she glanced at the fire the embers dying and growing cold. It was late and while all she wished was for her husband to return to her she knew it was pointless. She should count her blessings and be glad that Paul at least had returned, even if it almost seemed she had lost her husband even as he remained by her side.
Word Count: 259
Mary sat looking out the window, the small flame of the candle casting light on the snow that fell outside the window. Behind her the fire crackled but no child laughed in memory of past holidays and her husband remained in his office. Outside, in the small pool of light the candle cast Mary could see the snowflakes dancing down from the sky and landing on a glittering blanket that seemed to calm the world around them.
She hoped that Percival would call out to her, that he’d come and take her hands in his, fill her glass as he once had and settle in beside her. She missed the man who had become almost a stranger to her. Missed who they had once been. A bittersweet melancholy filled Mary as she glanced at the fire the embers dying and growing cold. It was late and while all she wished was for her husband to return to her she knew it was pointless. She should count her blessings and be glad that Paul at least had returned, even if it almost seemed she had lost her husband even as he remained by her side.
Word Count: 259
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