Treasured Memories

The gondola drifted calmly along a peaceful canal in Venice amongst the bright city lights. It was three in the morning and all the shops were abandoned. The long narrow street seemed to be caressing the boat gently, like a treasure in a young girl’s hands. The gondola continued to float, gently bobbing up and down to the rhythm of the water. Inside the boat laid a young girl, curled up, singing a slow song that her mother used to sing to her when she was sad. The ripples lapping the boat provided accompaniment to her gentle acapella. Her voice choked. Warm tears ran like a waterfall down her cheeks, mingling with the rain. Bringing her hand to her face to wipe her tears away, she held the diaries close to her heart. They were her mother’s. The pages bore the hard evidence of her mother’s heartfelt care. One contained diary entries of every day from when she existed in her mother’s womb right up to her 16th birthday filled the book. The other was full of her mother’s young university memories. Clutching these meagre possessions, she slid into a melancholy dream.

Rain had wanted a beautiful dress for her 16th birthday. Her mother wanted to give her everything she fancied, trying so hard to fulfil her wishes but having been born into a single parent family, the amount of wishes that could be fulfilled was automatically limited. Working overtime with multiple jobs during the night was normal for her in order to earn the money needed. This was no exception. Determined to purchase the dress Rain had wanted, she followed her usual routine, preparing for her night shift as a seamstress. Giving Rain a quick kiss on the forehead, she departed.

As she walked to her work, she prepared for her resignation. Upon arrival, she immediately went to work on a pile of evening gowns that needed mending. She worked through the night, garment by garment until the sun was high up in the sky, shining brightly through the windows, lighting the room with an orange hue. It was time. With her heart in her throat, she approached her manager, who was spread out on his sofa, sucking a tobacco pipe that filled the whole room with the choking smells of smoke.

“I h-have finished my w-work load today sir,” she stammered with fear. He didn't bother looking up, but acknowledged her with a nod. Reaching into the nearest drawer, he pulled out a chunky envelope and with one swift flick of his wrist, flung it at her.

***********

Rain emerged from the room wearing an ivory dress, with polka dots. Filled with the pleasure of having the dress of her dreams, she twirled in front of the mirror, studying herself in delight. She ran to her mother and embraced her dearly.

“Thank you, mother! I love you!” Rain exclaimed in happiness. Her mother returned her a faint smile and handed her a wrapped package. Bang! Her eyes went blank and scarlet blood trickled down her neck as the went limp. Rain watched in horror as a buff man threw her mother's body into the depth of the Venice canals. Blood stained the waters and time came to a standstill. In the corner of her eye, she saw a dark haired man wearing a large rimmed hat that obscured his face, took a sharp breath in, inhaling the tobacco pipe for the last time before throwing it carelessly over his shoulder. Rain's tears poured out, wetting the brown wrapping paper. She gently unravelled the package, revealing its contents.

***********

“Can I ride alone?” she asked the gondolier,  taking deep breaths, “Without you?” The gondolier kindly stepped out of and helped Rain in. Lying on her back, just past midnight, Rain looked into the night sky. It was too much for her to take in for one day. She opened the diary and began to read her mother’s past, cherishing the moments and embracing the memories that poured from the pages, eventually crying herself to sleep. Vivid flashbacks haunted her dreams.

[Note: This was originally Jacquee's idea. I do not take full credit.]