Writerly Wednesday – Walking in Someone Else’s Shoes

She knew they were his shoes and her heart pounded. She bent down and examined them. Under the tongue, the initials J. M. were written in black ink. She sucked air sharply through her teeth as a familiar scene flashed in front of her eyes.

She scanned the empty shoreline and called. His name bounced off the rocks lining the far side of the river and returned to her ears. She couldn’t bear the thought of losing him. She wouldn’t go through that kind of pain again.

Finally, she heard laughter. She picked up the shoes and walked quickly. When she saw him she smiled.

Jonah saw his mother on shore and said goodbye to his friends. He’d promised her that if she gave him space, he’d never let her worry. He knew the pain his brother’s death had caused and he never wanted her to go through that again.