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The Lady from South

It happened not too long ago, one day of February. I hate to remember what year was. But, I can tell you that it was a leap year; in Swift Current, Saskatchewan. It was exactly how my grandpa used to say when we talked about a leap year… “The brook became a huge river and a warm breeze melted its icy water… Then wind blew stronger than ever and generated a rain storm… It was like flying waters painting rainbows in every direction and, a very dark day as a night”. It was in the evening, a dark and noisy night. Someone was laughing so far away: ha, ha, ha … he, he, he… It was confusing to hear the echo as even trees with howling branches while falling leaves; all people scared were in their houses out of energy. Our town was in darkness except few people with gas lanterns. Suddenly, that laugh came closer and closer. There was not longer a single light; no more noise but the laugh… it took over. It was a giant lady wearing black cloths. The ugly witch whose legend is like a mythology in southern countries: big eagled nose, crooked teeth and hanging breast. She managed to cover our home with her enormous skirt. I started to feel sulphur smell, my eyes heavy and watery turned my vision blurry. I wished to have more than two hands to protect my eyes and my ears as well. The wind started to change direction and so the laugh. Everything then, was diminishing little by little. Finally, it was almost clear and I felt liberated. I walked as fast as I could to look for my kids; they weren’t in their rooms. I shouted, Erick! Clara! Where are you? My wife answered me; they are OK, look in the living room: One was in the sofa and the other in the love seat, both were sleeping. After, I went to the kitchen where my wife was making tea. In the mean time, I opened the curtains -It was foggy and wet outside-. A lot of leaves covered the street and sidewalks; it still some wind was blowing but quietly. Lights were off again. It was March first, 1992 at six in the morning. “Good morning…” and “Good morning”. Mr. Harris and Mrs. Thompson, our next door neighbours were outside shovelling snow and leaves. Apparently, everything turned back to normal since that time.

Isidro Moreira, October, 2008.