Sat in the dark, dank shadow of the garden’s wall, Tom pressed his ear against its damp, cold face. He listened to the sounds beyond, imagined the actions that made them, wondered how it was possible to do likewise.
Tom did not understand summer. He knew about it, saw people getting excited about it, don shorts, go outside, listen to their summer soundtracks, cook meat and drink outside… while he remained outside that walled garden, listening, imagining.
He thought of it as a music service he couldn’t afford, and so could only listen to snippets of songs. Or film teasers that were never replaced by trailers, let alone the full feature. He knew these things but did not know them.
In his heart and mind, Tom knew he would sit there always. The darkness within the wall would confirm his insecurities and keep him there, listening, waiting for the winter when he would be alone again, the revellers’ noise gone until the sun returned.
Jane would often sit and look across the park, watching the lovers walk by, the dogs chase balls, the children running and playing… and a curious man across the way would always catch her eye. Always sat alone, he would stare as if unseeing, as if there were a wall between him and everyone else.
If she had more confidence, perhaps she would have gone to talk to him. She guessed everyone had their own walls they would not cross; and certainly she knew her own.
Tom did not understand summer. He knew about it, saw people getting excited about it, don shorts, go outside, listen to their summer soundtracks, cook meat and drink outside… while he remained outside that walled garden, listening, imagining.
He thought of it as a music service he couldn’t afford, and so could only listen to snippets of songs. Or film teasers that were never replaced by trailers, let alone the full feature. He knew these things but did not know them.
In his heart and mind, Tom knew he would sit there always. The darkness within the wall would confirm his insecurities and keep him there, listening, waiting for the winter when he would be alone again, the revellers’ noise gone until the sun returned.
Jane would often sit and look across the park, watching the lovers walk by, the dogs chase balls, the children running and playing… and a curious man across the way would always catch her eye. Always sat alone, he would stare as if unseeing, as if there were a wall between him and everyone else.
If she had more confidence, perhaps she would have gone to talk to him. She guessed everyone had their own walls they would not cross; and certainly she knew her own.
Written for Faber Academy's QuickFic from the following prompt, a summery Spotify playlist.
This week I was featured on their website as runner-up!
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