Night Light Writing

Evangeline's Star

Chicago was no Gary, Indiana, that's for sure. Evangeline had always dreamed of living in the big city. It could have been anywhere- she just had to live in an apartment that overlooked the vast city. She craved seeing the city lights from so high once the sun went down.

Despite it being three months since the move, Evangeline hugged herself as if it were the first few nights and the excitement made her giddy. She savored every inch of the dimly lit apartment which was now her home. The long gray cardigan was comforting to wrap herself in while walking barefoot on the carpet. She made sure every lamp clicked off as she made her way to her office.

This was her favorite room in the whole flat. Despite the city skylines and high rise apartments, the view was so clear. Evangeline turned off the last light then went to her soft perch in front of the window. Leaning back against the frame around the bench, she curled up with the warm mug she'd carried with her.

Evangeline's eyes glistened with delight mirroring the stars' own shimmer. The strong taste of the herbs from her tea mingled with the subtle flowery taste of honey. Her hands were cozy from the warm drink she held between them. With autumn bringing about change in the atmosphere, warm drinks had become a coveted favorite in her nightly rituals.

Every night she'd seat herself above the city and study every light that lit the night sky. She was incredibly fascinated by the patterns and designs the windows of the late shifts created on the office towers. Apartment buildings were both asleep and active all at the same time. As for the street below, traffic lights never tired. They kept alert for the emergency vehicles cutting through the late night traffic.

Evangeline had always been convinced the night held a magical vibe. When she was little, she'd watch as the colors in the day sky changed from sweet baby blue to vibrant hues of celebration of the days departure, then gently fade out into a gradient of blues before entirely dissolving into a starry night sky. Once she got older, she became more fascinated not with the colors of the sunset, but the changes that took place in the early hours before dawn. It was a joyous stir to see the darkness begin to lighten, even almost taking on light tints of periwinkle in some places.

With every daybreak came a new day. New possibilities, new chances, new faces. How amazing to experience such diversity in such little time. Consistent were the coworkers- so long as they stayed with the firm- as well as the baker, the grocer, and others she normally saw in the smaller businesses of the city. It all seemed that the bankers and her fellow tenants were constantly changing traffic as much as a crosswalk would.

Evangeline had come to admire the night city dearly. It was her favorite time of day. The circumstances upon her moving here were not what she'd always hoped for, but now she saw it differently. Here she could enjoy life to the fullest, chasing and admiring the desires she'd always dreamt about. How special had these last three months been to her.

Evangeline smiled up at the bright star that always caught her eye. Her mother always told her that she had been named after that very same star. Even after they no longer spent cozy nights wrapped up in blankets drinking hot chocolate and watching the stars dance, Evangeline always felt comforted seeing that very same star and knowing her mother loved her. She missed those times they shared together but she'd be reunited with her soon.

The tea that once warmed her hands was now cold with hardly any left in the mug to comfort her. It must be time to return to bed then. Evangeline unfolded herself from the window to go rinse out her mug. Easily she changed into her pajamas and pulled back her thick blankets. It was time to sleep.

She paused having caught sight of the window again. Evangeline wrapped her robe around her crossing over to her bedroom window. Even being several stories up could she hear the distant sirens clearly. She pressed her hand flat against the glass partially wishing that it'd break and she would fly from here. But she didn't sprout wings and the glass remained intact. Until another night.

Evangeline removed the cap that kept her head warm and set it on her bedside table. Her hand wandered over the skin called scalp as if she was tracking the growth. Since beginning treatments, what tried to grow back was thinner than she'd been used to. She liked to know her progress. One day she wished to plait her hair again, but that took a lot of hope.

As she settled down in an attempt to rest, Evangeline felt a smile dancing at the corner of her lips. "Come, Josephine, in my flying machine..."

She softly sang her mother's favorite song as her eyes began to close. The nights were the darkest but the lights were their brightest. Stars twinkled and shot across the sky; it was that very same fire that sparked hope behind Evangeline's eyes. So long as the night blanketed her she knew she'd be okay, safe in her mother's arms.

Published 04/18/2017 (on other account)