A Silent Hello, An Unsaid Goodbye

Esther stared across the subway platform at a woman who shared the same eyes, nose, and mouth as hers, although the woman was slender and now had shorter, straighter hair.

This woman.

Twenty-five years of no meeting up or communication. It wasn’t intentional; she couldn’t remember how it happened. It was an argument, she thinks. But it didn’t matter to her anymore. 

She couldn’t remember why they grew distant. Twenty-five years. Was Heather looking at her or to some stranger in the crowd? Did Heather recognize her? Did she recognize her despite the weight she gained and how her hair had grown?

Could she see the wedding ring on her finger now? Did she know of her nieces? Did she miss her? Esther missed her.

She wanted to tell her about everything that was new — to have Heather come back into her life. Esther wanted to call her name out but her voice faded as the subway pulled in on the tracks. 

Heather disappeared in the crowd.

Need more great reads? Find more beautiful writing and evocative reads right here at the MockingOwl Roost.

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Savannah Hernandez

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Savannah Hernandez is a creative story writer, poet, and visual artist who graduated from Cal Poly Pomona University with a Bachelors in English Literature. Her themes often focus on healing, growth, and reflections on life.

Find more on Savannah’s website.

• Compost
• Forgotten Burials
• The Banquet
• Dandelion Garden