Fall Writing Frenzy Contest

          

Fall Writing Frenzy Contest

The Red Spark

by Jakki Licare

             My little sister holds the bright, red leaf up to her eye. “One more time. Please.”

“I shouldn’t have done it before,” I say, pulling her down the path.

 Her lip quivers, making my resolve disintegrate.  I really shouldn’t. If I’m found out they’d take me away, but it’s nice to share my magic with someone who isn’t afraid.

 I check around and the path is clear. “Last time.”

Her wide smile is so warm, it wraps me up like a woolen scarf. I concentrate on the leaf’s flame-red color and it begins to sizzle. Its tips curl as the smoke mixes in with our steamy breath. Until pop, a spark flies into the air, then another and another. Crackling sounds silence the chattering squirrels and the glowing flecks hover like stars come down to earth. 

I send the red sparks to dance around my sister and her giggles fill the crisp air. She chases the sparks as if they were fireflies. Flinging them into the sky, we ooh and awe as they explode like fireworks. All the red sparks fade away, except one. In the distance, the red glow of a cigarette smolders as someone watches us.

Thank you Kaitlyn Leann Sanchez and Lydia Lukidi for setting this up. It was a fun challenge!