A to Z: F - Filigree & Faint [April WEP Challenge]

My A to Z Challenge: Flash fiction written using two words and a photo for inspiration. How did I chose the words? First I brought up a noun list for each letter, then averted my eyes, scrolled the mouse down, stopped and double-clicked. That was the word! The second word was chosen the same way but from a dictionary list of words.
NOTE: Photos are from free to use photo sites such as Pixabay.com and Morguefile.com. No attribution necessary.

She carefully placed the blanket under the single oak tree in the middle of the meadow, marveling at the beauty around her. Although the trip home was unexpected, it was a perfect respite from her high-stress city life. As a entry level lawyer at a large law firm in a major city, she was expected to bring in a high number of billable hours. That meant working 24/7 at times and very few days off. In fact, this weekend was her first in almost eighteen months of working there and she got the time only because of a death in the family.

She leaned back on her hands, closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Country air, nothing better for clearing the cobwebs out of your brain," she said to no one in particular. When she opened her eyes she spotted a spider web, dainty as the pattern on her filagree earrings her abuela brought her from Chordeleg, Ecuador. The morning dew glistened in the faint sunlight streaming through the leaves above her.

At times like these, she wondered if she had made the right decision. Her family's attorney had offered her a position here, in her hometown. But she had stuck with her childhood dream of living in a big city. While she hadn't made it to New York City or Chicago, Minneapolis was a far cry from here, in the back end of nowhere. 

But now she had a decision to make. Was she really happy in the city? All the things she thought she'd enjoy - shopping, corner cafes for coffee, five star restaurants, theater and the arts - she had no time for. Social time was non-existent. She couldn't remember the last time she went out with friends.

Friends, not really, just work associates. And when they did go out, all they did was talk about work. She wanted so much more than that type of relationship. Growing up, she had several close friends and two of them went on to college with her. After graduation, she went on to law school and they moved on to their careers. They kept in touch for a while but eventually lost contact.

Her high school boy friend had enlisted and served two years. Last she heard, he had gone back to school to become a Veterinarian. She stood and sighed, picked up the blanket and headed back to the house where heavy duties awaited her presence. With her father gone and her mother in the throes of Alzheimer's, she had to make a decision. Her aunt suggested she put her mother in a home and sell the farm, but she wasn't ready to do that. Not yet.

Several vehicles she didn't recognize were now parked in the driveway. She knew the ones belonging to the family doctor, their minister and her elderly aunt. Also the two belonging to the closest neighbors. She steeled herself before entering and accepting everyone's condolences. That was the hardest part, everyone was so well meaning. Bringing foods and offers to do whatever needed to be done.

She opened the screen door and the room fell silent. Tears threatened when she felt someone take her hand. She looked up into a now over six foot tall man, no longer the gangly boyfriend from high school. "Chase! When did you get here? How did you know?"

He squeezed her hand. "Small town gossip spreads quickly. Besides, I was already here on a personal mission."

She tilted her head in question.

"I'm planning taking over the vet clinic from old Doc Walters. He's wanted to retire for two years but wouldn't leave the locals in a lurch. How about you? Still loving the city life?"

She couldn't muster a smile, not even a fake one. "I'm torn. I was thinking about that up in the pasture."

"That used to be your favorite thinking spot, under that old oak tree, right?"

She nodded and couldn't stop a little giggle. "And our favorite make-out spot. Or did you forget that?"

He chuckled. "No way." Never one to mince words, he asked, "You seeing anyone?"

"Are you kidding me? There's no time for frivolities like that." She closed her eyes and inhaled before asking, "You?"

"Afraid not. You see I had this girl friend in high school and I just haven't been able to get her out of my mind. But she's this big city lawyer with dreams that never included me or a simple life here in the country."

"She might be reconsidering. To be honest, I'm exhausted and I think I'm ready to come home. Mom needs me and Mr. Pearce still sends me letters asking me to come in as a partner in his law practice here."

"Everything in it's time. Isn't that what your dad always told us?"

She hugged him and whispered, "I think it's time. Don't you?"

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Entered as part of the WEP - Write...Edit...Publish APRIL challenge

959 words
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