Mila

By the lake, by the wondrous lake

 

This is my world, now: grey skies and cold rain. How fitting that this rock upon which I sit is grey and cold, too. The lake below reflected a breathtaking kaleidoscope of autumn colors a few weeks ago, but now it lies lifeless. All color and warmth has departed this world, and I sit here in misery. It wasn’t like this the day I met her.

 

No, that was a brilliant autumn day, the kind that lifts spirits and instills hope in a man’s heart. Yes, I, the always sad and lonely, was exalted on that day. Taking full, deep breaths and walking briskly along the lakeside trail, I felt positive and upbeat. When she passed, I actually smiled at her and said ‘good morning.’ It was so unlike me, but I swear the words just spilled off my tongue on their own. As soon as I’d spoken, I felt that old, familiar sense that I had offended another pretty girl with my unwanted attention. Embarrassed, I whispered, I’m sorry, and tried to move on down the trail as fast as possible.

 

“Excuse me, sir!”

 

Oh, no. She’s going to tell me what a creep I am. I turn around and politely answer her, “Yes?”

 

Instead of lowered eyebrows and a clinched jaw, she came towards me smiling and stood no more than 18 inches away. So Close! I noticed her beautiful, red cheeks.

 

In the sweetest, most soothing voice, she said, “I’m sorry I didn’t say good morning back to you. I was lost in autumn-thought, I guess.”

 

I was stunned, and could only mutter, "Oh, th-that's alright."

 

She outstretched her arms, spun around, and said, “Just look at all of this! Isn’t it just gorgeous?”

 

“Why, uh, yes, it is. It’s gorgeous and fabulous and-and…”

 

“And the autumn air, it smells so marvelous!”

 

I smiled at her like an idiot. There she was, this pretty young woman with shimmering brown hair that bounced and danced with her every move. (There were gold highlights!) I noticed her hands with bright red nails, so colorful and lovely as she flitted and fluttered them about like butterflies. And her eyes! Those amber, gold-specked eyes, like the lake, were deep, reflective pools of beauty. When she ever so briefly cast those eyes upon mine, I felt my heart flutter like a leaf.

 

Standing with hands on her hips and the breeze in her hair, she said, “There’s supposed to be a great lookout point in this area, but I can’t find it. Do you know where it is?”

 

I pointed with my finger, saying, “Yes, it’s down that way. You go to the fork in the trail, and then turn, uh… and then turn… ” 

 

She laughed. “You'll know when you see it. Take me there, won't you?”

 

“Okay.” Walking ahead of her, I tried not to wobble like a drunken fool. “Come this way. It’s not too far.” Before I knew it, she walked beside me. People would think she was my girlfriend. God, if only it was so!

 

Soon, we exited the trees, walked over a small rise, and there was the lake before us, sparkling-blue and ringed with the most magnificent autumnal array of blazing colors.

 

Pure delight showed on her face as she took it all in. Bouncing on her toes, she squealed, “Oh, thank you!” and gave me a big hug. My arms were not my own, and they wrapped around her.

 

“Look! Look at that big rock down there! It’s a perfect spot to sit on and enjoy the lake! Will you help me get to it?”

 

“Yes, of course.” 

 

She grabbed my hand and said, “It looks rough going, so you might need to hold onto me.”

 

In truth, I was the one who needed support. “No problem, I won’t let you fall.” I had never walked beside such a desirable girl before, and found myself wishing the rough terrain would never end. Helping her down from one three-foot embankment, I held her by the waist and gently sat her down in front of me. As I did, her face almost touched mine, and I dearly wanted to kiss her. Perhaps she knew my thoughts, and smiled knowingly. Continuing on, we soon reached the large rock and I held her hand until she was securely seated upon it.

 

“Well, here you are,” I said, and started to walk away.

 

“What are you doing? You can’t just walk off and leave me here. I need someone to share this with.”

 

“Sure,” I said, and planted myself beside her, but not too close. I would be a gentleman and not get out of line. She was much too beautiful, too fine and precious, and in no way did I deserve her. Certainly, I could not even imagine having her.

 

Taking my hand, she said, “I’m Mila. I should have introduced myself sooner. Sorry."

 

“I’m Jeff.”

 

“Do you love nature, Jeff?”

 

“Yes, I do, Mila.”

 

She nudged close. “I especially love it this time of the year.”

 

I gazed out at the lake, then back at Mila. “I can’t imagine more beauty than that which is before my eyes at this moment.”

 

Mila smiled and kissed my cheek. “I like you, Jeff. When I first saw you back there on the trail, I knew you were special.”

 

“H-how did you know that?”

 

“You're unpretentious, warm and... well, I just knew.”

 

Speechless, I sat gazing at her amazing beauty. How could I, a guy who doesn't play sports or have a tattoo, be sitting beside her? I’d been so blown away that I hadn’t noticed her old, dilapidated shoes and clothes. Perfect, I thought. With her brilliant hair that flashes gold, sparkling eyes and rosy cheeks, she's all the beauty that is autumn, and more!

 

We sat here that day and experienced something special. Holding hands and sharing the contents of our minds and souls, we remained  until the sun went down and a big, orange moon rose over the lake. Finally, when the night air became quite cool, we walked into the forest and found a warm bed of dry leaves between two large, fallen trees. No feather bed with silken sheets was ever more luxurious, and we made passionate love there until absolute contentment filled us, and we fell asleep.

That was the last time I saw Mila. When I awoke the next morning, I held no beautiful daughter of autumn to my breast, but only twigs and leaves. Happiness was mine, but only for a few hours. Never will there be another Mila, and never will life be the same without her. Indeed, I have no desire to exist in a world where she is not. I know who Mila is and what she wants me to do, for the answers are imprinted deep within my core. The lake is deep, and it will take me, like the falling leaves, into its dark, serene places. There, my body will be reborn. Fish and crayfish, I shall become, and when caught by the eagle, my remains will feed the forest and its leaves. Yes, those wondrous leaves that flit and flutter in autumn. like Mila’s sparkling eyes, glistening hair and colorful hands, they fly!

             

                              

 

Author's Note

I was tired and wanted to take a nap, but this little story demanded to be written.

Update. It's Autumn again, and refreshed the story this day, October 3, 2015.

Reviews

[barleygirl]

As always with your writing, the sensory details are singing HOWL-alujah! You do a great job of showing us the persistent feelings of not-being-good-enuf & too-shy-to-own-this-moment, all exhibited so tentatively & convincingly by the narrator. These feelings of inferiority lead logically to the ending, which is a little vague, but understandable . . . I love endings that are a little nebulous. I thought I'd reviewed everything of yours, but luckily you featured this one, which I hadn't! Thanks for sharing your stories which entrance so realistically (((HUGS)))

[Samuel Dickens]

Thank you. Your powers of perception are awesome, dear friend, and I always place great value on your reviews. I don't want to plug myself, (Did that come out right?) but there's still a good bit of my work you haven't seen.

[barleygirl]

OK . . . I'll keep digging! This dumb website should have a way to let us know which pieces we've already reviewed, so I don't have to open dozens to find those rare jewels I haven't seen yet!

[Hayley]

And what a lovely little story it is! I am glad I stumbled upon your profile. I am not one to write stories, really, but I do enjoy reading them when I get the time (and I am a sucker for nature-based stories). First off, I wanted to say that your descriptions are incredible! You know just the right amount of wordage to get the point across without overdoing it. I loved the contrast between the present dreary conditions and the beautiful fall day. It reminds me of the odd autumn we are having now.
This Mila seems to be the brightness in the main character's life, even for a day. The ending is so accepting with death and the loss of life because of that brightness. The ending descriptions with the lake and the cycle of life is very smooth and almost dream-like. Your flow in this story is phenomenal as well.
Sorry for the long review, but I think this piece just has so much that can be said about it! And keep in mind, I don't praise someone for flattery! :)

[Wildfleour]

"..The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,..."

A lovely story!

[M.E.Lyle]

Being an old romantic myself, I really liked this. Your descriptive language is super. It's not hard to imagine the shinning waters of the lake, or Mila's shimmering brown hair. Your style and structure seem very polished and refined.
Thanks.

[Marshal Gebbie]

Sometimes, the good ones get away.
Sometimes ya gotta take what is offered and hold it close and precious to your soul.. long after it's gone. Overtones of delightful colour here Sam, like the reflections in your lake.

[Misty_Prophet]

I'm blown away by your storytelling skills! Wonderful portrait of Mila, you were amazing in the process of describing her, and when you reminded us of her hands at the very end... That was just so beautiful! Brilliant piece...

[Raven Starhawk]

I love the title for starters. The way the body of this slowly comes into being is exquisite and stunning. Really I find it to be amazingly done. Your details fall so flawlessly into place.

[Phibby Venable]

Like Mila, I was lost and happy in the story until you decided to do yourself in...although it was a very fine ending & fed the beauty of your surroundings.
excellent story!

[KATHY SUE SILLS]

I'm glad your muse wasn't in the mood for a nap! This was a beautiful autumn story with a romantic love story even if it was just for a day and a wonderful night! Beautifully written!

[Fabian G. Franklin]

A dream within a dream and then...cold reality. But what if the dream is reality and reality is but a dream? There might be more to this story yet! Perhaps he'll wake to find Mila's hand in his on some distant never before visited shore. I'm a romantic so I'm writing my own ending...(laughing) Your storytelling skills are always marvelous to me!

[Cherrie Palmer]

I always love a story within a story, great job and I had the perfect day to read it in.
It is funny how some ideas pop in our heads and demand the pen. Those are the tales we write in 5min or so. They fall on the paper with ease.