First Frost

This story is for the Writer's Post Blog Hop using the Number 3 prompt for the first paragraph. http://herstorybook.blogspot.in/2013/08/blog-hop-88-tid-bits-v.html

I always love a good prompt to get me fired up and writing. Nothing like it!


I was cold this morning. The first frost had come and I could feel it. Outside glittered with sunshine on the grass, my breath making clouds in the air. The smell of burning leaves and wood gave warmth to the chill while colours painted trees. “October,” I thought.  “You are the new love of my life.”

My boyfriend, Dave had come and gone just like the sweet, short summer. Before the leaves had even begun to change colour, my chameleon lover changed his colours and left me. Our love affair had been the stuff of romantic movies, just a grand illusion without any substance. Before the closing credits had even flashed onto the screen, he went off to seek new adventures without me.

After our breakup, I retreated to my parents’ cottage on the island and embraced nature in all her glory. 

I sat on my favourite rock and wrote my daily journal entry while admiring the brilliant foliage in the golden autumn sunshine.

“Dear Diary,

Dave was a complete jerk and I’m better off without him. Face it. All men are selfish jerks. Who needs them anyhow?  I like being alone without someone complicating my life and I certainly don’t need a man to justify my existence.

 Independent woman, Kate, strong and proud, that’s me.”

“The leaves are beautiful, aren’t they?” a voice said behind me.

I looked back to see a man taking photos. It was my neighbour who lived in the cabin on the other side of the island. I couldn’t help noticing he was a very attractive man. Probably arrogant and self centred, no doubt. Weren’t they all?

“They are,” I agreed, and hurried to get away from him.

I walked up the hillside and gazed down at the carpet of blazing red, orange, and gold trees overlooking the lake. I took loads of photos, hoping to capture the fleeting beauty of nature’s finery. All the while a feeling of sadness tugged at me knowing that this magnificent display was only temporary. Soon the cold darkness of winter would arrive, bringing isolation and loneliness with it. I would have to return to the city and face reality sooner or later.

“Miss, wait!” the man called out and ran up to me. “You dropped this.” He handed me my journal and my face reddened.

“Thanks,” I said, snatching it away like a mad woman. I hoped he hadn’t read any of it.

“We’re not all selfish jerks, you know,” he said.

“You read it?” I cried, my eyes blazing with anger.

“It was open to that page. Sorry,” he apologized.

“It’s my diary. It’s private,” I said, my bottom lip trembling as it always did when I was upset.

“I gathered that. I didn’t read anything else, honest, Kate,” he said, his blue eyes warm and thoughtful.

You know my name,” I said, taken aback.

“It was written in your entry, Sorry again,” he apologized. “If it’s any consolation, my girlfriend Marie just called it quits and moved back to the city. I know how you feel.”

“No, you don’t,” I said, anger welling up inside me. “I want to be alone if you don’t mind.”

“Okay, no problem. I get it,” he said with a shrug.

 A cold emptiness filled me as I watched him go.

What the hell was wrong with me? He was just being friendly and I was being awful. No one was saying I had to marry the guy.

I ran to catch up with him.

“I’m sorry. Can we start again? I’m Kate. Pleased to meet you, neighbour.” I put out my hand and met his gaze.

“I’m Jon,” he said. “Nice to meet you, too. Your parents told me you were staying at the cottage.”

His fingers were warm as they embraced mine but it was his blue eyes that looked at me with such warmth and compassion. I sensed a kindred spirit who understood me.

Maybe the coming winter wouldn’t be so cold and lonely after all.