Almond Blossoms(Luna) The vibrating shadow of a woman falls onto the hot cobble stones of the sanatorium building. She looks up at the spotless sky and shields her eyes from the sun which penetrates through the fabric of her silk head scarf, coating her skin in a golden glow. The building is almost perfectly white, sterile; it reflects the warm light and breaks it into an invasive beam that makes the woman frown as she casts her gaze on its walls. Her sundress dances in the breeze and she steps through the metal gates of the building, following the narrow road surrounded by flower beds and neatly cut lawn. As she enters the building the air cools down and the rays of sunshine are closed out of her space; the bird chirping stops abruptly when she closes the glass door behind her. The desk clerk looks at her now and she walks up to him.

‘I came to see Perdita Morgan. My name is Enola Welch’ she tells him, fidgeting with her scarf. The man types something into his computer and then looks up at the woman to observe her face for a second.
‘Please wait here, we will take you to her shortly.’ he tells her and returns to his computer. The woman sits down in one of the plastic chairs and takes her headscarf off, tying it around the handle of her bag. After a few minutes a young nurse appears and greets her, so the woman stands up to follow her.
‘She is not feeling very well unfortunately. But she was very happy that you are here.’ the nurse says gently.
At the end of a brightly lit hallway the nurse opens a glass door to the garden and points at an arbour under an almond tree heavy with pink blossoms.
‘Thank you’ the woman casts a faint smile towards the nurse before leaving her behind and walking up to the arbour.

Behind the trellis a figure starts to take shape, her laced hat shadowing the face. Light movements scatter through the lattice as she reaches for a kettle and pours tea into a delicate cup.
‘I knew you would come’ the woman speaks when the other stops next to her. She looks up now, her pale skin almost see-through in the sunlight, long lashes casting shadows on her cheeks. ‘Sit down, please’ she motions towards the other chair with her bony hands and the woman sits down.
‘I missed you, Perdita’ she says, taking a sip from the tea. ‘It’s beautiful here’
‘It’s as beautiful as death can be’ Perdita says with a smile, taking a deep breath through her nose. ‘Why did you come here, Enola?’
‘Because I love you.’
They sit in silence for a few seconds, listening to the birdsong. A raven circles around the tree and then settles on top of the arbour, both women stay motionless to avoid scaring it away. They watch the bird and the bird watches them before opening its wings and leaving them alone again.
‘The almond blossoms are beautiful, aren’t they?’ Perdita asks, looking up at the flowers.
‘Yes they are’
‘I was born in their season, you know’
‘I know’

The women face each other now and the almond tree covers them, its blossoms emitting a light pink glow onto their faces. Nature listens to the two hearts as their rhythm synchronises for a beat.
‘Are you going to leave soon?’ Enola asks abruptly.
‘Soon. The almond trees are still in blossom.’
‘Please… ‘ she straightens up in her seat. ‘Just answer me. Talk to me’ Perdita looks away, observing a bee that circles around a flower.
‘I’m sorry’ Enola says, and when they look at each other a teardrop rolls down on her rosy cheek. ‘I’m sorry for everything’
The other woman stands up now and walks to her. Her pink dress brushes against the table as they embrace each other under the shade of the almond tree. Perdita holds the other woman’s head to her chest so that she can hear her slow heartbeat.
‘Remember’ she says ‘Remember all the memories we share. Those will stay forever’
‘I want you to stay forever’ Enola sobs, dampening the pink dress.
‘Don’t ask me that’
She lets her go now, sitting back in her chair, straightening her dress.
‘You were the experience of my life, Enola’ she smiles, her eyes clear.
‘You were everything.’ the other woman says, her eyes heavy from tears.

They stay silent and finish their tea.
‘You have to go soon’ Perdita breathes. ‘I am going to sleep now’
The woman stands up, turning her back on the other. Her arms are crossed in front of her body.
‘I will see you tomorrow, right?’ Enola asks, standing up. Her dress flushes in the light of the late afternoon.
‘I am very tired’ Perdita answers. ‘I love you, Enola. Goodbye now’
Enola stays motionless under the almond tree, watching the other woman walk towards a nurse; she sits down in a wheelchair and slowly disappears behind the glass door of the sanatorium. The almond tree dances in the dying summer wind, a flower gently falling onto the ground from its branch.

As the night settles on the small village a woman stands at the window of her motel room, watching the moon appear and disappear again behind the clouds. Somewhere in a sanatorium garden flowers float in the air, slowly covering the ground in their pink blanket; a tree is left alone in the night.

---