Black And White

I slapped the meat rather aggressively while trying to butcher our dinner tonight as my granddaughter giggled on in joy jumping in the wet mud, I picked her up like a weightless piece of paper and we walked home preparing for a freezing night. She ran across the hut with her damp old boots printing her footsteps as I switched on the television for the little girl and went inside to cook. 

Some wellington and a movie was all we had for thanksgiving, I allowed myself to drown in guilt when I heard a familiar voice, a deep husky whisper, one I had heard before. I tried slapping myself back into the reality I was already in when I noticed a friend’s image on the ol’ box television, the edges of my lips bent upwards but a tear trickled down my face and before I knew it...my little girl jumped in my embrace asking the reason. 

I had very few words to describe the man, he was a screen actor and every woman in the city dreamt to court him. Back in the black and while days he showed people his true colours, my voice broke as I spoke in sadness but I continued on..It was the year 1890 when he met me, a young boy interning at a movie set for no reason whatsoever. I remember his undeniable charm while filming a romantic scene but his glances of relief every time the director called for a packup, the only similarly we did have was our desert order and it seemed to be enough for us to talk hours about cookie cutters and macaroons and how one day even we dreamt of having a patisserie. 

Tears fell down my cheeks but I was quick to wipe them. 

 ‘Then ?’ my sweet granddaughter asked. 

 ‘Then..things changed’ I got up and walked away trying to hide my emotions, it was enough of a story for the night but she insisted I continue so I sat down with a thump and proceeded. 

The set lit on fire one day...it was an unfortunate ending to his career when his skin broke out and bruises all over his face bled but most of all, his heart hurt when everyone ran leaving him alone in the blazing palace (set). Including me. 

I glanced at the lock which chimed at 10:00, kissed her forehead and walked out of the room with uncontrollable tears, there was really no end to our friendship or story. I admit that it was my fault. 

I could’ve saved him.