Final Piece, short story
title. Final Piece
author. Clay Kalle
rating. G
universe. Little Ezra
summary. For the last piece, there's only one place it could fit in.
He put one of the pieces in place, took a step back and admired the sight before him. Three days of careful manipulation, acute observation and patience had resulted in a jigsaw puzzle -he had chosen on a whim- almost solved.
In one hand lay the last irregularly-shaped piece and Ezra caressed it absently, mind lost in dear memories as eyes took in the large ranch adorning the puzzle laid on the table; the horses half-hidden by the fences and working ranchers, and the vast green land enriching the scene alongside brilliantly blue sky.
The empty space left was farther than the child could reach comfortably, yet instead of moving from his spot, Ezra leaned over the large puzzle to fit the last clue into its slot. With both arms stretched across the complete challenge, Ezra closed his eyes and rested his cheek against the cool surface. For a moment, he felt cool breeze soothe his flushed face, voices and laughter of familiar men washed over him and he was back in a similar ranch that welcomed him warmly and -once- was home.
"Oh great," the voice made him jerk back, standing up straight, his little body stiff. He didn't turn around yet stepped aside to evade the friendly hand reaching for him. The man, one of the many fathers that had followed his Dad, ignored the rejection and continued, "you finished it. Maybe we can go out this weekend, get another one?"
"No, this is-" Ezra stared at the pieced-together picture and thought of the home he was snatched away from; until he fit back into his place with his family, this reminder had to be, "-just fine for now."
the end
author. Clay Kalle
rating. G
universe. Little Ezra
summary. For the last piece, there's only one place it could fit in.
He put one of the pieces in place, took a step back and admired the sight before him. Three days of careful manipulation, acute observation and patience had resulted in a jigsaw puzzle -he had chosen on a whim- almost solved.
In one hand lay the last irregularly-shaped piece and Ezra caressed it absently, mind lost in dear memories as eyes took in the large ranch adorning the puzzle laid on the table; the horses half-hidden by the fences and working ranchers, and the vast green land enriching the scene alongside brilliantly blue sky.
The empty space left was farther than the child could reach comfortably, yet instead of moving from his spot, Ezra leaned over the large puzzle to fit the last clue into its slot. With both arms stretched across the complete challenge, Ezra closed his eyes and rested his cheek against the cool surface. For a moment, he felt cool breeze soothe his flushed face, voices and laughter of familiar men washed over him and he was back in a similar ranch that welcomed him warmly and -once- was home.
"Oh great," the voice made him jerk back, standing up straight, his little body stiff. He didn't turn around yet stepped aside to evade the friendly hand reaching for him. The man, one of the many fathers that had followed his Dad, ignored the rejection and continued, "you finished it. Maybe we can go out this weekend, get another one?"
"No, this is-" Ezra stared at the pieced-together picture and thought of the home he was snatched away from; until he fit back into his place with his family, this reminder had to be, "-just fine for now."
the end