Thursday, March 23, 2006

Fiction: The Omen

She believed in omens. She saw them everywhere and knew exactly what each of them meant. He didn’t see them, nor did he put much stock in what they might mean. Omens to him meant giving up control. He wasn’t about to do that. She didn’t try to convince him otherwise.

They had been laughing about their differences on the subject right before she went upstairs to read. The book she had brought was an old favorite, Illusions by Richard Bach. It was the only book by that author that she had ever liked. She said she liked it enough to make up for the fact that she didn’t like the rest.

Her favorite place to read was upstairs at the desk facing the huge arched window with the Texas sun pouring in on her as she sat in her grandmother’s straight-backed, cushioned-seat chair. That space put the stairs, the house, her whole worldly life behind her and the entire sky before her. She said it made her feel free to enjoy the words.

As he walked up the stairs to bring her a cold drink, he saw the shadow her figure made on the floor was the perfect shape of a 4x4 wooden cross. He stopped to stare at it. It was an omen if ever he saw one. He choose not to tell her.

Some omens are meant not to be shared, or spoken of, or if you’re lucky, even seen.
—me strauss Letting me be

16 comments:

Trée said...

"Some omens are meant not to be shared, or spoken of, or if you’re lucky, even seen."

Glad to hear of it. I'm introverted to the point that I often have to tell my eyes to see. Perhaps luck will be with me because I'm sure if a good omen walked right in front of me I'd never see it. :-)

"ME" Liz Strauss said...

Hi Tree,
Thank you for saying that. Now I know if you don't say "hello," not to worry, you just didn't see me.

Liz

Trée said...

Liz, you will always occupy a very special place in my heart. Your writing is unlike any other. Besides, good things tend to happen when you least expect them. I have a feeling good things are coming your way.

Anonymous said...

Probably best not to say anything. I believe that we can subconsciously make things worse by silly thoughts of omens and curses.

Also, an observation: because of her, he has become aware of these things now, when previously he probably wouldn't have thought anything of it.

Sorry to have been quiet these days. :) I sort of been lost for words lately.

"ME" Liz Strauss said...

Hi Tree,
No worries, I'll see the good omens for you.
Liz

"ME" Liz Strauss said...

Hi Liz,
No worries,
Sometimes words are hard to come by. I certainly know that. You make a good point about him not talking now that he sees what she's talking about. Somethings are better left unsaid.

smiles,
Liz

Anonymous said...

This post was an omen- I'm now going to scan my bookshelves to see if I still have a copy of Illusions...

"ME" Liz Strauss said...

No worries, Betty,
I've decided the omen is a good one.

Liz

Anonymous said...

You should not have given us any explanation.

The more suspense the more common sense. And the more we discover the essence of our existence.

God bless.

"ME" Liz Strauss said...

Hi Orikinla,
Welcome back!

I was only saying that was what I decided. Every reader gets to pick for herself (or himself) what the answer is. That's the beauty of the written word. :)
Liz

Anonymous said...

Hey Liz, that was really nice. I like it :)

"ME" Liz Strauss said...

Hey Melly,
Thanks, I appreciate that.
Liz

Anonymous said...

Liz,
Omens are invitations to make a choice, sometimes contrary to what we would normally choose or continue with.

Love the imagery in your third paragraph.

Scot

"ME" Liz Strauss said...

Hi Scot,
Thanks for coming to read my little story about the omen. I so look forward to what you have to say. Omens are interesting in the way they point out choices to us. Aren't they?

Liz

Anonymous said...

interesting what the subconscious choice might say about us in the moment we make it -- I saw the omen as ominous. Hmmm

"ME" Liz Strauss said...

Hi Zilla,
I think that might not be the subconscious, but the product of too many movies in your experience. Liz