Missed oportunity.

A lost opportunity to bond. For the 30 Day Image Prompt Contest.

Missed oportunity.

“They say you can see all of Paris from the top of the Eiffel Tower” Sarah declared. She was eating a crunchy cereal, watching cartoons, and interrupting my frantic studying.

“That’s nice” I added, returning my attention to the philosophy paper that was due in two hours.  As usual, I was cramming for the deadline.

“No really. We should go there for New Year’s”

I sighed, shifted noisily in my chair, and tried to ignore her. I was hoping she would get the hint.

“Mum?”

“Yes Sarah!” The irritation was reflected in my voice.

“What do you think?”

“About what?”

“Paris! I mean, really, it would be awesome!”

I realized the problem right away. I had casually thrown out the idea of a winter vacation last evening, while we were grocery shopping.  Sarah, in true teenage form, was lost in space at the book rack, flipping through a guitar magazine. While she finished browsing, I scanned the shelf and a travel book caught my attention. It displayed a beautiful photo of the Eiffel Tower on the front cover. I picked it up, had a quick look, and made some light comment about taking a winter vacation and that was the end of it. After returning the book, I carried on and didn’t give it a second thought.  I tried to get my mind back to the assignment, but now was having trouble getting Paris out of my mind! Taking a moment, I closed my eyes, thinking about the image I had seen: The Eiffel Tower with fireworks raining down around it. I sighed heavily, enjoying the relaxing moment.

“What is Niagara Falls” Sarah yelled, and I almost jumped off the chair. Reality bounced into my head again, the room swam back into focus, along with the television with its increased volume. She had turned the station to Jeopardy.

“Can you please turn it down? I’m trying to do my paper.” I asked patiently.

“Sorry.” There was a pause, then: “Can we go to Canada. There are some great Skiing places in Canada.”

“No. We can’t go anywhere! I’m trying to do this paper. Please!” I insisted.

“Fine”

Suddenly, there was silence. The television was barely audible, and wanting to focus, I paid no further attention to Sarah. After a while, I felt Sarah brush past me on the way downstairs. The door closed behind her. I carried on writing. Four hours later I was finished. The paper was typed and ready for the morning. Relief flooded over me.  I glanced into the living room and noticed Sarah lying on the couch. She must have come back upstairs while I was deep in thought, and hadn’t noticed. Sarah was sound asleep. 

Later that night I mused about the vacation idea, feeling a pang of guilt at having missed a fun opportunity to travel with my daughter, if only in our minds, to faraway places. Tomorrow, I decided. Maybe tomorrow.



488 words. For the 30 Day Image Prompt Contest.