Writing Prompt 23: Confetti
The Shape of Love
Hearts and circles litter the ground, trampled under foot, left to fade in the sand and the sun. We all have ideas and stories of love. What’s yours?
Penny rummaged in her bag for the small box of confetti she’d bought for her sister’s wedding.
Her hand found the corners of the box and she pulled at it.
"Not now," said her mother.
"What do you mean, Not Now?" said Penny. "They're married. Now."
"Wait until they're down the path a bit. Away from the church."
Penny looked over at her mother. A small tasteful fascinator perched on the side of her head nestled in amongst the blow-dry of her perfect hair. Her mother had no grey hair whatsoever, a product of once-a-month salon visits, whereas Penny was 50/50 salt and pepper. Dying it was an expensive business and Penny was ready to jack it in and pursue her natural hair colour. Something her mother failed to understand.
A tear slid down her mother's cheek. A single perfect tear, rounded and glossy. Her mother absorbed it with the edge of a small lace handkerchief she always had to hand. She turned towards Penny her eyes shining.
"Mum?" she said. "Are you okay?"
"Of course. Yes, of course, I am," said her mother, clearing her throat of emotion and tucking her handkerchief back in her bag.
Together they walked out of the church into the grey overcast afternoon. Penny could see her sister was cold. Her shoulders were hunched forward and up around her ears and she rubbed with a brisk force at her forearms.
Penny stepped towards the happy couple opening the box of confetti as she went. Her foot caught on the heel of the best man. As she fell, a sharp gust of wind caught the confetti as it flew out of the box. The tiny paper hearts whirled around in the breeze before coming to rest all over Penny as she landed flat on her face on the ground.
Story first posted September 2019 / Photo: Tanya Clarke - Somewhere 2015
