Marion's Return

As Marion trod the old familiar path leading to the river of her childhood, she viewed the willow tree across the river and recalled with clarity the event that changed her life half a century ago - that memory which for all her adult life she‘d managed to suppress . . . She was being chased by Ellie down the path; Ellie, the fair haired younger sister favored by their father and wearing the golden pendant he had given her when she’d won a spelling bee. Yanking the pendant from her sister’s neck, Marion ran into the river’s icy water, threatening to throw the pendant in. Screaming, Ellie followed right behind. Farther into the river’s center, the two girls moved. Where the riverbed dipped sharply, Ellie had caught up. Suddenly the wind blew violently, The chain with its beautiful pendant slipped from Marion’s hand into the swirling water. Ellie tottered, falling backwards. Then the river was carrying Marion’s little sister to the other side. Marion called out, but Ellie did not answer. A strong swimmer, Marion swam to her sister’s lifeless body on the opposite bank where a nearby willow stood - witness to her crime. Marion now was standing where she once had stood that fateful day. The river had receded with time, but its current was still strong. She stood recalling her parents’ bitter tears and how she had escaped their wrath inventing her own version of the truth - that Ellie had run into the water by herself when the sudden wind came up causing her demise. She felt bad, but in the end, she became her father’s newfound pride and joy. Something glittered at the water’s edge. Marion, now heavy and clumsy with age, moved closer to see. Could it be after all these years? Yes, it was the pendant, shining in the river’s sludge! She stooped to pick it up, but lost her balance, falling forward toward the slanting floor. As she struggled, a great gust of wind moved her out. . .farther and farther to the middle. Before her head vanished below the water’s surface, she saw that old willow’s leaves flutter angrily. She could almost swear she saw the form of Ellie, fair sweet Ellie, beckoning her from the other side. For Frank Herrera's POEM ENDING WITH A 'CHILLING TWIST' Poetry Contest