The Vase

Struggling to peer out the window from under her eyelids, Anna looked down upon the remotely empty streets. Bright sunlight piercing her eyes, a pain so sharp it was almost like that of being teased with a pin as she pulled back the soft, white drapes. She stood still for a moment, enjoying the silence, knowing very well it would only be temporary. It’s only a matter of time, she thought to herself, looking up at the perfectly clear baby blue sky.1

“Mommy!,” came the high pitched cry from the bedroom next to her, shattering the silence like a rock being thrown through a window. The pit-patter of footsteps against the soft carpet drew closer and louder with each step. But mommy hadn’t awakened from her trance. She remained still at the window like a guard on the job, her eyes now fixated on the breathtaking horizon. 2

“Mommy…?,” subtly whispered the child, reaching out for her mother’s hand. The sudden feeling of warmth to Anna’s hand startled her and she turned abruptly as if she hadn’t expected anyone to be there. Maria’s medium length blonde, rippling hair accented her stunningly deep green eyes as she glared up at Anna with the sweetest look of innocence.3

“Aren’t we supposed to go soon?,” asked Maria, her tiny voice echoing through the room.4

“Not yet sweetie, we still have half an hour left. It’s open already, did you want to go now?,” replied Anna, while analyzing how big her baby had grown in six years. 5

“No, can I go watch T.V?”6

“Of course you can Maria.”7

She scurried away quickly but limply like an exhausted sheep being herded. Anna inched out into the hallway, stopping at a small table covered in lovely scented flowers. Among the flowers, placed directly in the center beside a burning candle was a picture. The bulky frame acted as a barrier, trapping the memory inside of her and Maria, who rests upon the shoulders of a handsome, stalky man. Their faces radiant with smiles, the joy so pure it nearly spilled out of the picture to heal their broken reality. Anna extended her arm to lightly stroke the man’s face with her finger but was interrupted by a terribly loud >< CRASSHH! >< 8

“Maria,” she cried out and bolted in the direction of the noise. The disturbed air nearly extinguished the candle left behind. She rounded the corner to see Maria standing above scattered pieces of a broken vase, a frightened look on her face.9

“What have you done?,” Anna asked raising her voice and looking down at the water absorbing into the carpet.10

“I…I…I didn’t mean to,” stuttered Maria, trying not to anger her mother any further.11

“Do you have any idea how important that was? Do you have to break everything in sight, ruin everything? That was your father’s favorite vase and you know it!,” yelled Anna enraged, stepping closer to Maria firmly.12

“Waaahh!!,” Maria burst out and ran to her room, hiding her face in her hands.13

Alone once again, Anna sighed. She knelt down next to the glass and retrieved the flowers. Slowly sweeping up all she could, her eyes dilated when she reached the small garbage can. She paused and the silence she previously enjoyed returned. After a long moment of thought, she set down the dust pan and left the room. 14

Anna knocked three times, simultaneously with the ticking clock hanging in the hallway.15

“Go away,” Maria managed to sputter out through her sobs.16

“Honey, you have to go to school now so you have to come with me. Look, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have been angry with you. It’s not your fault the vase broke, things happen. You know mommy loves you so come out and I’ll get you a doughnut on the way.” Maria’s door slowly pushed open and she stuck her head out. She wiped her red eyes and looked at her mother sadly. 17

“Come on honey,” invited Anna, reaching out her hand. Maria accepted and they left a house in a hurry. 18

The scent of leather and mints filled the air inside the car. Anna concentrated on the road ahead and Maria sat in the backseat, watching people they drove passed. 19

"Mommy, is daddy still sleeping?” The question shocked Anna. For a brief moment, she really had no idea what to answer that with. Then, as a single tear rolled down her cheek she replied, “Yes honey, daddy’s still sleeping.” Nothing else was said after that.20

Returning home, Anna was greeted by the full dust pan staring her in the face from the bench. Confronting the problem right away, considering her options, she flashed back to this very day four years ago, the day she would never forget.21


Dressed in his uniform, his bag slung over his shoulder, he stopped in the doorway one last time.22

“Don’t worry about me honey, I’ll only be there for six months,” his deep voice still embedded in her ears. 23

“Six months is a long time,” she sadly replied, leaning against the wall, their two year-old Maria tugging at her pants.
He bent down and gave little Maria a huge bear hug. 24

“You better get to bed soon my darling. I love you and I’ll miss you.” 25

“You too daddy,” she said quickly before running off. He turned to Anna.26

“Six months isn’t that long. Don’t worry, I didn’t go to military training for nothing. I’ll be fine, I promise. I’ll see you when I get back. But I have to go, my ride is waiting. I love you.” He leaned in and kissed her lightly on the lips.27

“I love you too,” she told him for the last time as he shut the door behind him.28


Snapping back to reality, she suddenly thought this is ridiculous, what am I doing keeping a vase when I have plenty? And it’s definitely useless to me now, it’s broken! This vase isn’t John, it’s just John’s! All of his things, none of them mean anything. They’re all just things. As she dumped the pieces into the garbage can she remembered an old saying…
“What lies before and behind you is little matter compared to what lies within you.” 29