Excerpt: Vindication

Her voice was silenced by the absence of the butterflies. The doves even refused flight in a sky that in pure utter defiance appeared warm and inviting. Blessings of overcast clouds and rain were not available for today’s service. As Mya made her way to the church grounds it became apparent that the callous citizens of Beverly were coming alive as they paraded up and down Cabot Street impervious of this days black anniversary.

Awaiting the arrival of Connie Sterling’s mourners, Mya Anderson became immersed in the Church gardens and its stone statues. The trees were still in the lack of the breeze and the pink hibiscus bloomed bright even though it was late September. She vigorously meditated on each effigy anticipating that the ghostly profiles would signal that Connie’s soul was present. Unfortunately the cold stone only aided to the amassed emptiness that Mya felt. The spirituality that was shared between the two friends was obviously not strong enough to bind them in Connie’s non-existence.

Though she felt she should have been, Mya was not sad but rather angry. Her best friend had broken a solemn promise. She had not come to tell her that she was okay.