On the top of the world

by Madeleine Ruh

the leaves of the tree, she knew what time it was, and also the season.

  She was contended.

  One day, in the supermarket, she was purchasing the food and beverages for the two weeks, and wandering near the fresh vegetables and fruits. She was always amazed by the choice of shapes and colors. The huge size of grapefruits and pineapples, the bright colors of kiwis, compared to when she was young, when eating a fruit meant an apple.

  A woman in her thirties looked at her, and shouted with a joyful tone : "Françoise ! You're Sylvaines' mother, aren't you ? I spend time with you, skiing in the Alpes when I was thirteen, do you remember ? We had great times. I've got great memories of the hot chocolate and big bread piece full of salted water that you gave to us after skiing. That was a treat ! How are you doing ? You kept your thin hips, it's amazing, you look beautiful. Look at your curvy caramel hair, I always envied them to you."

  She smiled and asked the long black bird hair woman what was new in her life, trying to remember her name. When she was young, she remembered she had an acneic skin and short hair cut, and didn't look at all as assertive as she was now. The energic woman answered she had three kids, look at the baby, yes, isn't he cute, her husband was a doctor, surgeon to be precise, and had a lot of work, but they had a comfortable life, great vacations under the sun, and life was nice.

  Suddenly she added. "I met Sylvaine the other day at the airport. She was flying back from Maldives, and had two beautiful boys with her. Congratulations to you ! Three years old, healthy and bold, and one and a half, a plump baby with big eyes. Life seems to be nice with her two ! She lives in the South, how lucky a grand mother you are. I had to get my flight so we had no time to catch up. Waow, I'm again running out of time, my husband is waiting for us in the car, I must rush, Good bye and see you soon. Thank you again for the nice time together. Say hello to Sylvaine ! "

  She couldn't gather her mind enough quickly, the woman had continued her path in the middle of the groceries and meat, and turn at the hygienic corner.

  She nearly cried again, like in the old past. She decided to breath, a deep inspiration. Then she exhilarated. She did it three times. And did it again three times. As getting rid of the sorrows and heavy memories.

  If Sylvaine was safe, that was good news. Where the hell could she live in the South, was she married with a new name ?

  She knew she wouldn't investigated, respecting the nuns implicite advice. You learn only to be contented. It' a great wealth.

  Mandalay October 2015