My chest and biceps screamed for relief but I turned a deaf ear. Just one more. I brought the axe down and split another log, increasing the mound of chopped pieces beside me.
Just one m—.
I paused, slowly lowered the axe and turned. On the other side of the fence surrounding my farm stood someone I hadn't seen in more than a decade and half. My sister, Kristen.
Petite and dressed in a sundress, a hat and sunglasses, she waved. Her smile was uncertain and faded quickly, her eyes pleading with me not to ignore her as I had done to every member of my family.
She must have gone to great lengths to find me so there was no way I could turn her away. I dropped the axe, exhaled and approached the gate, my gaze on her.
“What are you doing here?” My voice came out hoarse and trembling despite my attempt to sound even and indifferent.
Tears welled in her eyes. “Two weeks. I’ve been searching for you. Please, can I come in?”
For a long moment, neither of us spoke. We stared, memories of a strict upbringing in a poor household by parents who were desperate for a comfortable life flooded our minds. We were each others’ comfort place when the beatings bruised our skins and their words pricked our hearts.
One day, I scavenged for metal parts from the town's dump and built a machine that would make farm work less tedious. Father roared in anger at the sight of the “useless thing” and ended his tirade that day with, “You are a complete failure. Get out of my sight.”
I packed my duffel bag, left the house and never looked back.
That was fifteen years ago.
When Kristen rushed forward and embraced me, I realised I had unconsciously unlocked the gate and let her in. My hands stayed frozen at my sides as she laid her head on my chest and squeezed my waist, crying.
“He passed away three months ago, Bracken,” she blubbered. “He kept hoping you would come home…that the solicitor would find you. He said he was sorry…would give anything to take back those mean words.”
She sniffed and gazed up. I stared into the distance instead, taking in the greenery spread across the hills. My mind struggled to process all Kristen had just uttered.
She cupped my face and made me look at her. “The machine worked after you left. The mayor heard about it and paid Father to make more like it. He never touched the money. It's in a bank account. That's why he sent the solicitor to look for you.”
I burst into laughter and she winced, stepping away from me.
I'd built an improved version of the machine which I used on my farm and sold copies of it to other farmers in the region. I didn't need his approval now.
I reached for her hands and gently kissed them. “It's been a long time, sister. Come in.”
I hope you enjoyed reading this short piece. It's inspired by the Freewrite #dailyprompt phrase "complete failure”.
Thank you for visiting my blog.
Image by: Cottonbro studio
