Daily Flash Fiction Challenge

It took a moment for Evelyn to realize that she was even near what used to be her old school grounds until she noticed an old familiar site. The oak tree across the street where she and her friends played hide and seek every day was still in a small park. The trunk was carved and rigged and huge around. There were no old beer and wine bottles now, all she saw around the tree was a neatly manicured lawn and bright rows of pansies and daffodils.

She looked at her watch; she had just gotten off the metro but it would still be another 20 minutes until her sister, Candy, would come for her. She decided to sit in the park to wait. Once closer, she kept her gaze on the tree. It was so quiet and strong looking. It was never this quiet back then.

In the park she could see signs of carvings scrawled on the tree trunk. Much higher than she could reach back then, but still legible. “C&M”, Candy and Michael, a crush from 5th grade. Her sister was popular with boys; she wasn’t. Then “E&J”. David, her older brother, teased her terribly about those initials until she cried, calling her Dizzy E&J for weeks.

Candy’s car horn blew sounded! Evelyn jolted from her trance. Silly to think about all that now! David! How could he be so mean one minute and so protective the next! Evelyn guessed she’d never know. She teared up now after thinking about David.
Evelyn grabbed her bag and said, “Thanks Mr. Oak!”. As she turned to leave, she heard the leaves wrestling loudly in a sudden gust of wind! Evelyn turned back mouth wide in amazement and said, “I love you too David!”