The Locket
The Locket:
Natasha’s POV:
It was 1941 and I was walking home from school one day when out of no where I was joined by a little blue eyed boy. Over the next few weeks Steven and I became best friends and he always held my hand to walk me home. I learned a while later that Steve lived on the other side of town so my house was two miles out of his way, but dear I loved that company. I can still remember the first day he called me pretty, it was after school on my front step. I ran inside to tell mama and all she had to say was, “Natasha you cannot call it love, you are only 14. You are russian immigrant living in america, he is a special boy but not that special.” I tried to listen but sitting on that front porch swing with him changed it all.
He had given me his picture in this beautiful locket that I wore from that day on. It laid right over my heart and made me remember how his hand felt in my own. I knew that those butterflies I felt at just the thought of him meant I was falling for the boy inside my locket.
Now in 1943, my blue eyed boy lied to enlist into the army. I remember how he held me close and swore that I would be his bride once the war was over. I will never forget running in the pouring rain as I watched him ride away.
Everyday I held onto that special locket and I could remember the taste of his kiss. Everyday felt like a lifetime with him gone and I prayed to God that he will make it back to me safely.
Nadia’s POV:
I make my way to my grandma’s room thinking of the sixty years she had with grandpa. He has been gone for nearly 6 years now and it hurts to watch grandma struggle to remember the stories she had always told me.
I open the door carrying a small journal that I use to write down her memories, so that I can read them to her. She is thinner than ever and her red hair has long since gone grey.
“Grandma you sure look pretty today.” I comment and she smiles for the first time in a long time.
She beckons for me to come to her before she starts to remove her little gold locket. She places it in my palm before I could protest and holds it there.
“I want you to keep his picture in a locket that I wore beside my heart. So I would not forget the greatest love and the greatest man I’ve ever known.” She takes a deep breath as the tears fall. “Now honey, it’s getting time for me to head on home. My blue eyed boy is waiting, and I don’t wanna keep him long. Heaven is calling.” She gives me a smile. “And my heart is longing for the boy inside your locket Nadia.”
I cry for a while but I don’t know if it’s out of sadness or joy, that my grandma is back with the only man she has ever loved.