Under the Willow Tree – A Short Story

By Karynn Heckler

Spring

     “I’ll get there first!” Lillian’s laughter fluttered like butterfly wings. It was spurred by the sight of the boy beside her tripping over his bare feet. Lillian’s gold braids thumped against her green dress’ bodice as she ran through the field of grass and flowers. 

“Will not!” The boy with dark curls gave her a light shove as he bounded ahead.

     “Not fair! You promised you wouldn’t cheat, Ezra Davis!” She reached her arms out to try and grab ahold of his arm. Her fingers only brushed the sleeve of his flannel shirt before he pulled it out of her way. 

     With a soft “humph,” Lillian lifted her skirt and ran as if the devil himself were chasing her. The wind tickled her cheeks and nose, teasing at the loose hairs that frayed at her hairline. She was a dove spreading her wings, flying above the skyline and away from the bustling house she’d escaped for a few blissful hours. 

     Despite her efforts, Ezra’s hands were the first to brace against the bark of the willow. “I win!” he declared proudly.

     He lept out of the way as Lillian ducked beneath the low-hanging leaves and hugged the base. The rough bark prickled and scraped against the skin that her sleeves did not cover. 

     She hungrily sucked in air, sweat beaded on her forehead. “You said you wouldn’t cheat!” She pivoted on her heel to stare down at Ezra who was now laying on the ground propped up by his elbows. An accusatory finger pointed down at him. 

     Ezra’s face was crimson as his shirt—though that was mostly sunburn from the previous week’s adventures. His amber eyes smiled along with his mouth. “I didn’t cheat!” 

     “Did too!” She crossed her arms and glared at him, “you shoved me and we agreed we wouldn’t play rough.” She rubbed her arm as if it pained her. “What would your Mama say if she knew you shoved a lady?” 

     “She’d have Pa skin me.” He answered seriously, but his smile returned, never gone for too long. “Too bad you ain’t a lady.” He winked at her before snatching her hand and tugging her down to the ground.

     “My dress!” She fell to her knees, “I’ll get it dirty.” Her tone lacked enthusiasm as she lowered herself to the ground. Her hands cupped the back of her head.

“Too bad dirt doesn’t wash out,” he teased. 

     “Too bad,” she repeated softly. The sun glittered through the pale green leaves of the willow. A soft wind turned the green leaves into fairies that danced in the breeze. 

     Besides the youths’ falling and rising chests, the world around them was still. Lillian closed her eyes, savoring the sound of peace. It was a sound in many forms. Wind-fingering the tips of grass. Birds singing gaily in the distance. The absence of whining siblings. 

Peace was louder out here. 

     Ezra was the only other person Lillian had dared to bring to this part of her father’s land. Her little siblings were all too scared to cross the creek and her other friends chattered too much to enjoy the stillness. 

Ezra liked to listen to peace with her.

Lillian lifted and turned her head to Ezra. “Can I tell you a secret?”  

“Sure.” He plucked a piece of grass and began carefully tearing it down the middle. 

“This is a magic willow.”

Most people would’ve laughed at Lillian for saying something so absurd. But Ezra only said, “Oh yeah?” 

     Lillian sat up, hugging her knees against her chest as she rocked gently. “When I was younger, I came and wished that Mama’s next baby would be a sister. I was tired of brothers and wanted a girl to play with me.” 

“And then Constance was born?” 

     Lillian smiled, “See? Magic. And then I wished for a green dress for my birthday. And Mama surprised me with this!” She fingered her petticoat admiringly.

     Ezra rose to his feet, running his hand along the bark of the tree as he inspected it closely. Though there wasn’t much to find besides wood and ants that crawled along the surface. “What else have you wished for?” He disappeared around the other side of the tree.

 Lillian was quiet. 

“Lil?” Ezra popped out from the other side. 

She hid her face in her hands, “I don’t want to say!”

“Why not?” 

“You’ll think I’m being a silly girl.” 

“Cross my heart I won’t.” 

     She peeked through her fingers at him. He crossed his fingers in an x over his chest, one hand in the air. “Fine, I wished for a castle.” 

“A castle? Like in fairy stories?” 

“So you do think it’s silly.” Lillian crossed her arms, glaring at Ezra. 

     “No,” he tilted his head to the side, “Well, maybe a little. But there ain’t nothing wrong with being silly.” He studied a lazy puffy cloud that drifted in the sky. “I hope you get your castle, Lil.” 

     “Thanks, Ez.”A smile crested her lips and softened her hard expression. She never could stay mad at Ezra for long. “And if I do get it, I might even let you live in it. If you promise to behave like a gentleman.” 

“You know I can’t do that,” he smirked, standing. “Wanna race back?” 

     Before she had the chance to agree, he took off like a startled deer. His laughter carried over the trees as Lillian shouted as she ran after him.

Summer

Eight Years Later

     “Almost there,” Ezra promised to the woman whose hand was laced with his. He walked slowly so he remained by her side. 

     “We better be. My feet are growing tired.” Lillian said, trying to control the kaleidoscope of butterflies that were fluttering in her stomach. She kept an arm stretched outward, trying to compensate for the cloth that was tied over her eyes.

There was a smile in his tone as he said, “I know, but it will be worth it, my love.” 

     Lillian’s heart pattered a little faster. Soon she’d get to hear that term of endearment every day.  Fall cannot come fast enough. 

     Her foot snagged something sticking out of the ground. A nervous laugh escaped as Ezra’s arm braced her and kept her from falling on her face. “You are trying to kill me!” She accused as she tightened her grip on his arm.

“Sorry, I didn’t see the tree root.” His voice wavered slightly.

Was he…nervous?

     She hadn’t heard Ezra that nervous in a long time. He’d hardly broken into a sweat when asking her Pa for her hand in marriage. “Is everything alright?” 

Instead of answering her question, he continued walking. He was more careful to warn her of potential obstacles.

Her hand brushed a hard surface. Tree bark? 

     At last, he stopped. He inhaled a deep breath before whispering into her ear. “We are here.” His deep voice tickled against her ear. He released her hand and moved behind her. Her blindfold grew taught as Ezra pulled at the knot. 

     Cool hair greeted the skin around her eyes that was beginning to get sticky. She opened her eyes, sunshine momentarily blinding her.

     The blurry shadow in front of her solidified into a familiar sight. One that warmed her chest with nostalgia. Our willow. She reached up to touch one of the low-hanging leaves. Her fingers rubbed the smooth surface. 

It had been so long since she’d ventured out here. “Ez, I—” 

     She turned to face him. A gasp froze her in place. Her hands clasped over her chest where lightning was dancing inside.

     The walls of the cottage were pale and the straw-colored thatch roof was dark against it. Two windows and a wooden door decorated the front along with an empty gated area surrounding the house. 

     “I know it’s nothing too big,” Ezra said beside her. He scratched the back of his head shyly. Red crept into his freckle-splattered cheeks. “But I hope it’s enough. Can’t have a wedding without a threshold to carry the bride over and–” his own laugh interrupted him. “I’m rambling. Your brothers and friends from town came to help me build her while you were busy helping your cousin with her new baby.”

So that’s why he seemed so quiet when I returned home. He was tired from building a home.

Their home. 

     Tears welled in her eyes. She looked at Ezra as if he’d brought her the moon, her hands wrapped around his. “It’s ours?” Her voice was thick from the pride that blossomed in her chest. 

“It is.” 

      “But…what about money?” They were planning on living with Ezra’s parents for a few years before getting a place of their own.

     “We are going to be just fine.” He smiled, brushing one of her golden locks out of the way as he cupped her cheek. She leaned into his touch. “Your Pa and I worked out the price for the property. He factored it into the work I’ve done for him already and the rest will even out in due time. People in town were more than generous with the supplies, most of it was given as an early wedding gift, and the rest of it I bought at a generous discount.” 

She laughed, her forehead touching his as he wrapped an arm around her waist. “I don’t know what to say.” 

“So you like it? I know it’s not your castle you wished for ”

     “You are right, it’s no castle,” she bit her lip, her smile growing. “It’s even better. It’s ours. It’s…well it’s just perfect.” She kissed him. “You are perfect.” 

“Hardly, but you puff out my chest by saying so.” He grinned at her. “Can I show you the inside?” 

“I was hoping you’d ask.” She slid her arm into the crook of his. “Lead the way, Mr. Davis.” 

     “As you wish, soon-to-be Mrs. Davis.” He held the front gate open for her as she stepped inside. One of her hands rested on the post reverently as she looked over the shoulder at a willow that watched them enter. 

It’s no castle. It’s even better.

Fall

Sixteen Years Later

     Golden leaves cascaded in the air as the little girl swung. “Higher, Daddy!” Beth cried, kicking her legs. Her grip around the ropes of the swing tightened as another shove propelled her up into the air.

“Higher!”  

Ezra grunted as he obeyed and pushed again. “I think that’s high enough, dear.” 

     When she reached the peak of the next swing, she released her grip and leaned forward. Her body left the seat and her legs extended. She flew through the air like a sparrow, landing with a soft grunt. 

     “Again, again!” She smiled, clapping her hands excitedly. She turned to her father who grabbed the fraying ropes of the swing to stop it. 

“It’s my turn!” George argued, hugging his father’s leg. 

     Ezra reached down to pat his curly blonde head. Ezra propped his shoulder against the base of the willow tree. “I can’t keep this up forever. I’m not as young as you two,” he bemoaned with an exaggerated sigh. 

     “But you aren’t that old!” Beth flashed a winning smile, “one more swing?” She clasped her hands together pleadingly. 

     “I can’t,” he pressed his hand to his head, “I just may…” he staggered dramatically, “collapse!” He fell to the ground, landing on his back. A soft grunt left his mouth at the impact. 

That used to be less painful. 

     A louder grunt escaped as Beth’s small body landed on his stomach. “Daddy, you can’t rest yet! I want to swing more!” She jumped, knees digging into his chest. 

The air was forced out of his lungs. But before he could collect more, George’s small body landed on top of him. 

“My turn! My turn!” George tried to shout over his sister. 

     The two proceeded to bless Ezra with a symphony of shouts. Each sibling believed that they deserved to swing more than the other. He didn’t bother to intervene till they began shoving. 

     “That’s it,” he plucked them off of him and sat up. “No more swinging for today.” He rose to his foot and ignored his children’s protests as he took the wooden seat and tucked it on top of a branch.

“But Papa…” Beth began to whimper. 

     Lillian emerged from the cottage, a blue blanket folded over one arm. She smiled at the sight of the two little children who tugged at Ezra’s hands and whined over the lost toy. Then she exchanged a knowing look with her husband. 

     She walked gracefully down the stone-lined path to their open front gate. Behind her followed two girls and a boy who all walked in a straight line behind her like obedient ducklings. 

     Mary, their oldest, was perfectly put together. Her golden curls were carefully tied back by a blush bow that matched her dress. She carried a basket in the crook of her arm filled with breads, fruits, and other treats. 

     Albert walked stiffly, balancing a bowl filled with cranberry punch. The crimson liquid swished back and forth, just short of the crystal bowl’s rim. His tongue stuck out slightly as he focused on planting one foot after the other, trying to keep the dark juice from staining his white long-sleeved shirt.

     Nettie was last in the line, proudly holding out a pumpkin pie she’d helped bake. She’d spent the entire morning swatting away her little siblings from the windowsill it cooled on. Now she presented the treat with a skip in her step. 

     Lillian held the gate open for her children as they walked towards the willow Ezra stood under. She sent a soft smile in his direction. 

     She makes it look so easy. The two children swinging from Ezra’s hands suddenly released their hold and took off in a sprint after their mother.

“Momma, I’m starving!” Beth cried as she hugged her mother’s yellow skirt. 

     “I want pie!” George joined in the whining. His grubby fists clenched the fabric of her pale apron and tugged. “Momma, can we please have some?” 

     “You can have it soon,” Lillian promised, gently prodding them to walk along the path toward the willow. “Be patient, my loves. We will enjoy our feast first.” 

     After the last drop of punch was drunk and the final crumb disappeared, Lillian and Ezra sat beneath the willow and watched their children chase each other and play games. 

     A happy sigh left Lillian’s lungs as she rested her head against Ezra’s shoulder. His arm wrapped around her. “Are you happy with it, my love?”

“With what?”

“This kingdom we built together.” 

     Lillian watched the five children. Nettie and Beth were rolling through the leaves, tossing them in the air and watching them cascade in the soft breeze. Albert and George were sword fighting with sticks. Gentle Mary sat to the side, capturing the moment with watercolors. 

A smile crested her lips, “I couldn’t have wished for a more perfect kingdom.” 

Winter

Many Years Later

     Ezra’s weathered hand wrapped around the curved handle of the wooden cane. He picked it up and tucked it over his arm as flattened his silver hair with a plaid cap. “Are you ready, my love?” He called into the heart of the home. 

     “Just a moment!” Was Lillian’s reply. Even his failing hearing couldn’t mistake the familiar patter of her shoes down the hallway behind him. 

     He used the mirror beside the door to straighten his bowtie while he waited. Then, with shaking hands, he licked his thumb and forefinger and used them to smooth out his eyebrows. He appraised himself in the mirror, noting every wrinkle and uncooperative hair that stuck out from beneath his cap. 

83 years and I’m still handsome. How do I do it?

     “Here we are,” Lillian appeared from the doorway to the kitchen. A maroon blanket draped over one arm and a basket tucked in her other. 

“You look beautiful this morning,” he offered her an elbow to fit her arm in. 

“You say that every morning.” 

     “And I’m never wrong,” he smiled at her as he held open the door. A chuckle rattled his chest at the cross look he received. “About that at least!”

     The crisp morning air bit against their wrinkled cheeks as they stepped outside. They huddled closer together to keep warm. The white powder coating the ground slowed their gait to shuffling, but neither one of them suggested heading back inside.

     The willow tree was barren of leaves, decorated with a dusting of snow along its dark trunk. The swing their children had all ridden was long gone. Instead, a modest oak bench rested against the base. 

     Ezra held his arm out and helped Lillian ease into the bench. She set her basket beside her and waited as Ezra braced his hand against the seat before lowering himself with creaking knees. 

     Lillian unfolded the blanket and draped it over their laps to provide a layer against the freezing temperature. She unscrewed the lid of the thermos and braced it against the rim of the bottle as she tipped it over. Hot chocolate flowed from the thermos to the lid. Soft steam rose from the surface of the silky, frothy liquid.

“I tried something new.” She held the cup over to him. “Tell me what you taste.” 

     He cupped the lid in his hands, blowing on it to soften the heat. Then he took a sip. The rich drink swirled in his mouth for a moment before he swallowed. 

She’s like magic. 

     But he’d had her hot chocolate plenty of times. What mattered more was figuring out what she’d changed. He took another sip, mulling it over before he took a guess. There was the faintest undertone in it. Something that reminded him of Christmas. “Nutmeg?” 

“Cinnamon. Do you like it?” 

     “It’s perfect,” he held her hand in his. “What book have you brought for us today?” He nodded towards the little black book in the basket.

She picked it up to show him the cover. Little Woman. The gold font shimmered in the bright daylight. 

     “You and your classics,” he smiled. She favored them more than ever now. When they were younger, her heart had been captured by tales of adventure and fantastical feats. But now, it was the soft and real stories that entertained her. She preferred a happy ending where people were settled and content. 

     She cracked the book open to where a piece of paper kept her place. She leaned into him ever so slightly as she entered another world. 

     He was happy to nurse his hot chocolate and alternate between reading over her shoulder and looking out at the world around him. Before him was the cottage he’d built all those years ago. With its smoking chimney and snow-capped roof.

     When he looked at the simple, wooden doorway, he remembered all the friends and family they’d hosted inside for meals and birthdays. Their children hurried in and out of that doorway as they transitioned from toddling babes to grown adults. Now his children had left and returned with families of their own and Ezra transitioned from Daddy to PawPaw. 

The seasons of new life, adventures, and thanksgiving had passed. Now crested a season of rest.

     Winter was the soft epilogue to the year that had passed. It was the closing of a year and a celebration for the many adventures it held.  

     Ezra bent down, pressing his wrinkled lips to the top of Lillian’s grey hair. His cheek rested against her head as his mind remembered a spring day many years ago.  She’d wished for a castle beneath this willow they sat under, but they’d found something even better.

I wouldn’t have written our story any other way. Happy epilogue, my dear. 

The End