Ever since “Tom” died, his mother, Anna LaFarge, began to lose her memories faster. Like a leak growing into a waterfall, a few fuzzy moments became much more. Every day she chanted simple tasks to herself like some magic spell in hopes she might remember it the next. The other townspeople noticed her madness when her occasional visits to town suddenly became more frequent. She ran through town daily, asking for her son although everyone knew he was dead.
One month after the mysterious, shape-shifting Martian died, she was making her usual runs through town; however, she was far more distressed than normal. Running as fast as her thin legs could carry her through town, she stopped everyone she came across to interrogate them.
Anna’s memories …show more content…
Jonathan Morrow, who lived three doors down, ran over and shoved her back with a bark in the middle of her frenzy, “Stop this nonsense; it’s absolutely pointless! Your son is dead and you’re off your rocker. You’ve lost your marbles. You’ve got more than one screw loose. You’re crazy! Beyond hope, raving mad! Go away and just leave us alone.”
Your son is dead. She’d heard those words over a hundred times from other townspeople, but it always hit her the same each time. Crying out, she dropped to her knees and began and babbling, “It can’t be true. It just can’t be. My son, my only son. My dear Tom.” She wept there with the rust-orange dirt clinging to her knees.
Mrs. Spaulding, who was feeling wary, gathered her groceries and squeezed her eyes shut. She was trying to ignore the red tinge behind her eyelids caused by the beautiful, sunny day. She too had lost her only child, Lavinia. Twice at that. She couldn’t bear to think about it, even with the memories slowly fading. Feeling sympathy for the older woman, she opened her eyes again and spoke. “He’s lying, Mrs. LaFarge. I saw Tom just a short while ago; I’m sure he’ll be home soon.”
Jonathan glared at her, but she couldn’t have stopped herself. After all, it wasn’t like the poor woman would even remember the next
One month after the mysterious, shape-shifting Martian died, she was making her usual runs through town; however, she was far more distressed than normal. Running as fast as her thin legs could carry her through town, she stopped everyone she came across to interrogate them.
Anna’s memories …show more content…
Jonathan Morrow, who lived three doors down, ran over and shoved her back with a bark in the middle of her frenzy, “Stop this nonsense; it’s absolutely pointless! Your son is dead and you’re off your rocker. You’ve lost your marbles. You’ve got more than one screw loose. You’re crazy! Beyond hope, raving mad! Go away and just leave us alone.”
Your son is dead. She’d heard those words over a hundred times from other townspeople, but it always hit her the same each time. Crying out, she dropped to her knees and began and babbling, “It can’t be true. It just can’t be. My son, my only son. My dear Tom.” She wept there with the rust-orange dirt clinging to her knees.
Mrs. Spaulding, who was feeling wary, gathered her groceries and squeezed her eyes shut. She was trying to ignore the red tinge behind her eyelids caused by the beautiful, sunny day. She too had lost her only child, Lavinia. Twice at that. She couldn’t bear to think about it, even with the memories slowly fading. Feeling sympathy for the older woman, she opened her eyes again and spoke. “He’s lying, Mrs. LaFarge. I saw Tom just a short while ago; I’m sure he’ll be home soon.”
Jonathan glared at her, but she couldn’t have stopped herself. After all, it wasn’t like the poor woman would even remember the next