Reflections On a Window

Sophia leaned on her gaunt elbow as she stared out from the high window sill watching the minute drops of rain steadily fell the glass. Her thoughts unfocused when in the distance a shrill train whistle jaunted her recollections to the whispers of the past. It seemed so long ago when the children were small. Yes, Ann, Marianne, Lydia and Michael the four of them always jabbering away, "Mama, when we die, will we be angels and fly around heaven?" "Mama, when daddy comes home can we go to grandma's house?" "Mama, do you love me?" "Mama, who do you love the best?" Sophia thought how simple life was when they were mere little ones and how much more difficult it became as they steadily grew towards adulthood. "Mama, I have something to tell you and you must promise that you won't get mad!" "Do you promise, Mama?" Some eight months later Lydia gave birth to a seven pound boy. "Mama, all the neighbors are talking!" "Mama, I am embarrassed to go to class!" "Mama, what does dad think?" "Mama, can we keep the baby?" Sophia noticed the rain had stopped. Suddenly she felt free. The past whispers were no longer.