My Short Short for the Day

“Do you think we are there yet?”  Marge trudged on.  Hope was slipping away as the never ending land stretched out before them.’

“Not much further, I don’t think.”  Stan had to believe they were almost there.  Doubt was beginning to seep in, but he was able to push it down.  They had to be close.  His calculations were right, he knew they had to be. 

Stan looked over his shoulder to see the string of people plodding along behind them.  He knew they were close.  He had to keep going. Keep them going.  He took a deep breath and turned back and began walking with a new determination. 

Marge took a deep breath and let it out.  She trusted Stan and would keep her faith in him.  He was the bravest man she’d ever known, now was not the time to doubt him.  She smiled, hitched her bag higher onto her shoulders and moved on. 

The hill looming ahead looked difficult, rocky and steep, but Stan has a good feeling about it.  There was something on the other side.  Something good, he just knew it.  He turned back and gave Marge a quick smile.  Even sweaty and tired, she looked beautiful to him.  He watched her hike and admired her grace.  She caught his eye and smiled back.

“Not much further.  This should be our last big hurdle.”  Stan said before facing the rocky slope.

Marge and the others, using hands and feet to pull themselves over rocks and shrubs, followed Stan.  So focused on the climb, Marge didn’t realize she’d reached the top until she almost bumped into Stan.  He was standing perfectly still, staring out.

She hauled herself up the last little bit and straightened.  She looked at Stan and seeing his intent stare, followed his gaze.  It was beautiful.  The golden sandy beach, the shimmering water gently rolling up to shore, the cliffs wrapping around the cove, the trees swaying in the warm breeze, the chatter of birds rustling in the treetops.  Marge couldn’t help the tears that slipped down her cheek.

“Are you ok?”  Stan looked worried.

“Yes, this is perfect!”  Marge wiped away the tears smudging her face with some dirt.  Her laughter bubbled up and out.

Stan smiled and carefully wiped the smudge off her cheek.

“You did it Stan.”  Marge said.  “You did it.”