Yellow And Green Striped Raincoat.

• Ramisa Fayez
• Short Story
• 2008

“It’s these little things,” Danielle began her train of thought, “that make life so simple, but beautiful…” she gazed through the rain drops that frolicked about in front of her face and stared straight through to the lonesome playground. Lonesome, but for one. There he was, little Max, clad in his yellow and green striped raincoat, splashed around in the puddles in his bright red gumboots, having the time of his life. Max was also Danielle’s source of hope and reassurance, that life wasn’t all too bad. His laughter echoed through the icy grey air giving Danielle shivers that calmed her down. Soon, after the rain had died down, Danielle grasped Max’s legs and swung him off the monkey bars. Max laughed even harder than before. It was indeed a beautiful sound.
The next day was stunning and full of sunshine. As the sun glared down upon Earth, Danielle was teaching Max the art of blowing bubbles.
“Max, you must always remember that these bubbles are delicate and can break if you blow too hard. Try it a little softer now,” Danielle cast an encouraging smile towards the five-year-old as he scrunched his face in concentration. Blowing only so loud that ants could hear him, a perfectly round dome emerged from the flimsy piece of plastic that Max held. Danielle sighed in appreciation and glanced at her son’s beaming face.
“Look mummy, I did it! I blew it! Look at it! Mummy!” Danielle gazed at the blob of dishwashing soap and water floating majestically in the air.
“Now, isn’t that lovely, Max?” She kept on looking up at the bubble. It was perfectly round just like a small glass sphere. Only if the slightest breath were to meet the surface of the bubble, would it pop into a million smithereens of small crystals falling to the ground. The small gasp of wonder escaped from Max’s mouth and burst into laughter. Danielle silently wept, knowing that for one of them, it would soon be over.
Danielle slowly walked away from the grave. It had been two years since little Max had passed away from leukaemia. As sickening as it was for Danielle to hear Max’s last words in hospital, Danielle clung on to everything she could remember of him. As she walked away, Danielle slowly began to smile as she remembered that it was the little things in life that make so simple, but beautiful, just like a small summer breeze or the smell of rain. And especially for Danielle, a small child clad in a yellow and green striped raincoat.