Without Question

Submitted into Contest #280 in response to: Start or end your story with a character asking a question.... view prompt

55 comments

Romance Drama Fiction

14 December 2024


My Sweet Princess Beatrice,


Firstly, Daddy must apologise if I can’t answer your question about Moana speaking in Tahitian. You know that even if I’m all grown up, have navigated the sometimes-murky crests and troughs of life for longer than you have, there are little mind-bending queries I can’t respond to. As you will know, the more we shoot up towards a clear, cerulean sky, the more we reach our arms only to snag on even more curiosities, more puzzles, more uncertainties. I hope you could forgive me.


All of that’s a long way off for you, as of time writing. Yes, by the time you read this, you will have come of age, a rosebud ready to open itself up and let its intoxicating fragrance into the world. 


Today, though, your glossy chestnut pigtails bounced up and down as you barrelled down the shores of Paignton. Your outstretched mouth was streaked with undeniable, sticky pistachio drips that triggered a giggle in me before I took a washcloth to wipe them off. You’re starting to be bigger and stronger, if the radiating bush fires in my lower back are an indication; I still allowed myself to scoop you up and let your tiny cherry-hued Barbie swimwear-clad body melt into my chest, which you grabbed with two adorably pudgy hands. It was just you, me, the turquoise waves, and the saline air. In this sacred, pelagic space, our most gruelling conundrums were what flavour ice cream to try next, whether to go on the fun rides before or after diving into the sea, and how big the sandcastle we’ll construct will be.


However, I’m fully aware it won’t stay that way for long. Time can sometimes slink its way past the sealed steel gates of our consciousness, cunningly creep to our ears, and whisper an obsidian poison cloud that bleeds us of joy until we’re hollowed out. That’s why I wrote you this letter, actually. My precious Beatrice, I know that you will quiz yourself a million times, try to solve the labyrinthine mysteries that plague you and keep you up with only a tear-splattered cup of tea as company. My only hope is that with this little missive, Daddy can take you by the hand in unknotting the tangled-up ball of strung together words you’d hold your palm. I often wish there was someone to help me sort out my own massive coil, so let me be that for you.


You’re probably asking:


1. What was it about Mummy that made her sparkle for you? – Beatrice, this is like asking why Polaris is what we consider the North Star. You can not deny that the celestial being that shines brightest in the onyx tapestry above us would be the one to guide mankind for generations, can you? Well, in the same manner, your mother scintillates so brightly in the vast expanse of what I know that it has always been her that gives me the direction to step forward, even onto the waters.


When she stepped into the same Exeter lecture theatre as me, my jaw clattered to the floor. How could one mortal being have eyes so blue, they shame the most precious gems; how could a single human smile contain all the light of a galaxy being born? When her friend called after her, I let the sweet flavour coat every single tissue in my mouth until it was all I could taste. Jemima. Pretty name, isn’t it? A thick maple syrup with the bouquet of elderflower. It was that moment I knew I had to talk to her.


You know what’s next. Thank goodness, I did.


2. What’s your favourite memory of Mummy? – I’m very sure that by the time you read this, you may not remember any of what I’ll say, so let me jog your memory.


When you were three, you and I went to the very same coastline you frolicked in earlier. Whilst we were playing around with your rainbow beach ball, we observed a small, crimson-tinted tugboat float its way across a brilliant, crystalline ocean. Apparently, its owner had forgotten to tie the dinky craft to the tall pines dotting the sands, and so, all of us had to watch him flail his arms around as his precious vessel was thrust into the tides.


Well, that’s precisely how Daddy felt the day Mummy took him to that 70s themed party in London.


I must admit, my princess, that had it just been up to me, I’d have preferred being an eternal castaway in the most deserted island than to be in some ear-splitting Shoreditch club. I was ready to dissolve into the floor when your mother came in. All apprehension was washed away with a flip of her gold tresses and in the glimmer of her sapphire blue eyes, the very same ones she gave you. As I stood back with a beer in hand and watched my very own siren twirl across a pulsating dance floor, I could have been lost at sea, and I wouldn’t have cared.


Little did I know that a mischievous thought bubbled beneath the surface, rising until it burst like a geyser. Without even a single ‘Graeme, would you like to dance?’, I felt her lithe arms pull me towards the crowd, as if she were a lifeguard ushering me to safety. Of course, the irony wasn’t lost on me that she brought me over to the shark tank, so to speak, carried me into an undertow of uncertainty…until her marine peepers locked into mine. I had no idea that I was starting to sway along to the music, beginning to move my legs like a babe learning to swim. 


It actually felt…good; your mother’s wry grin at my admittedly paltry attempt was even better


3. Did Mummy really look like an angel when she married you? – I know. I always tell you that she did. Now, I realise, though, that I must rectify that statement. She didn’t look like an angel; she was the queen of them.


You should have seen me at the front, buckets of sweat emanating from every pore. As I waited for the woman whose fingers I’d gleefully slipped a diamond ring on a year before, a torrent of queries sputtered inside of my mind. Did the beautiful, azure-eyed blonde really choose to take my hand in her delicate one in that crowded lecture hall? Did I really end up bobbing my head along to Wings’ ‘Silly Love Songs’ with her in London Town’s hottest dance joint? Did she change her mind about being my wife?


All searching, all doubts sailed away the moment Mummy marched down the aisle in a frothy lace number. She called it a mermaid dress, but I will always call it resplendent. The stained-glass windows of the church let in rays of turquoise, cherry and chartreuse to fall upon your mum, making her look like the ethereal goddess she is, as she joined me at the altar. As I stared at her beaming, gossamer-veiled visage and pronounced my vows, my eyes became wells.


At that moment, my world, all I knew, rivalled Atlantis in its majesty. Of course…


4. Why did Mummy leave us? – Well, Beatrice, just like the one about Moana, this is a question I still can not reply to. 


Perhaps, the signs were as crystal clear as a babbling brook. Perhaps, I should have noted the draw of that city by the Thames, that jolt that flowed in her when she recounted packing for a train ride to Paddington the day we met at our Exeter university. Perhaps, I could have noticed her fizzing over in laughter at that London nightspot whilst with her mates, not so much with me. Perhaps, I should have been warned by her leaving me abandoned like driftwood to greet well-wishers at our wedding as she cut loose with her urban crew.


I tried, Beatrice. I tearfully demanded her why she was filling up her giant red suitcases, all ready to walk out the door for the very last time. I spared no drop in an ocean of thought to try to comprehend her sudden decision to depart. In the end, all I got for a response was silence. Wordlessly, with the same smile that enchanted me all those years ago in uni, she flitted from the harbour of our love….and I was left with a desert of a soul, trying to make sense of it all.


Worry not; I’ll be okay. I’m sure by the time you read this, all will be swept away by the tides of time. I just wanted you to know, my sweet princess, that I loved you mother without hesitation, without a smidgen of a desire to examine myself before diving headfirst. 


More importantly, though, I want you to know that no matter what, I love you and I always will without question. No matter how the waves rise or fall, it’s going to be you that fills me up with so much joy that it overflows.


Loving you vaster than the Pacific,

Daddy


P.S.: Okay, so I may not be able to speak Tahitian like Moana, but can I always speak the language of your heart?


December 11, 2024 15:06

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55 comments

Jim LaFleur
17:34 Dec 22, 2024

Alexis, this is a beautiful tapestry of love and loss. The way you weave emotions into every line is truly impressive. The imagery and metaphors are vivid. Thank you for sharing such a heartfelt piece.

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Alexis Araneta
18:33 Dec 22, 2024

Hi, Jim ! Very kind of you ! I'm so happy the sentiments --- both the highs of love and the crash of the loss --- came through. Glad the imagery was vivid. Thanks for reading !

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Viga Boland
21:22 Dec 20, 2024

I know I read this tor a few days back but somehow forgot to leave you comments. Sorry about this. This is beautiful and so very touching. There is something rather magical about it too. Was that intended? Intended or not, I loved it. Thanks for writing it.

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Alexis Araneta
02:12 Dec 21, 2024

Hi, Viga ! It's okay. I'm just glad you liked it. Very happy you found it touching, even magical. That means a lot. Thanks for reading !

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02:58 Dec 20, 2024

Wonderful narrative from a loving father. Sometimes people leave without explaining. It is clear she did not care about her daughter. Children grow up to have abandonment issues. At least she could count on her father He always loved his daughter and her mother. Children need to believe their parents love each other.

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Alexis Araneta
05:46 Dec 20, 2024

Hi, Kaitlyn ! Thank you so much ! True, sometimes, people just leave without even trying to explain. Indeed, at least, Beatrice has Graeme. Thanks for reading !

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Ana M
19:45 Dec 19, 2024

Your story is deeply touching and beautifully written. Loving your work, Alexis!

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Alexis Araneta
02:05 Dec 20, 2024

Thank you so much, Ana ! I always want emotion at the forefront of my stories, so I'm glad it came through. Thanks for reading !

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Arora Gleans
23:37 Dec 18, 2024

I always enjoy reading your work, Alexis! You have a way with metaphors and descriptions. I especially loved this line: "Yes, by the time you read this, you will have come of age, a rosebud ready to open itself up and let its intoxicating fragrance into the world."

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Alexis Araneta
01:52 Dec 19, 2024

Hi, Arora ! It means so much coming from you ! I do love my metaphor. I loved writing that line too. Thank you for reading !

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22:38 Dec 18, 2024

It was pretty, and then sad, and still, I liked it, good job Alexis 😊

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Alexis Araneta
01:43 Dec 19, 2024

I quite like that description. Pretty and then sad. Thanks for reading !

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Marty B
21:54 Dec 12, 2024

I hope Graeme isnt leaving too- this line makes me think he is going to chase that crimson-tinted tugboat, and never come back in to shore and his little girl. 'I hope you could forgive me.'

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Alexis Araneta
00:50 Dec 13, 2024

Hi, Marty! Worry not. He's staying. That line is simply referring to his inability to answer her Moana question. Hahahaha ! Thanks for reading !

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Mary Bendickson
19:49 Dec 12, 2024

Alexis lyrical at its best.

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Alexis Araneta
00:48 Dec 13, 2024

Hahahaha ! Thank you, Mary !

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Jack Kimball
17:01 Dec 12, 2024

What I like best is what this story says about you, Alexis. You must be a kind soul. I enjoy your entries as they always add to my day.

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Alexis Araneta
18:13 Dec 12, 2024

Oh, Jack! That is probably one of the loveliest things anyone has said about me and my stories. Thank you so very much! And thanks for reading !

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06:05 Dec 12, 2024

A bittersweet story, so lyrically told. I can tell you're a metaphor lover and I'm constantly impressed with your evocative imagery. The love the narrator has for his daughter and his ex-wife comes through effortlessly. Your prose has this natural flow too that I find really easy to sink into. If you don't mind, I have a couple of points of constructive critique, but they're mostly centred around my curiosity as a reader (which probably reinforces the strength of the piece, tbh). First, this might just be a me thing, and perhaps it wasn't...

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Alexis Araneta
10:57 Dec 12, 2024

Hi, Shuv! So happy you liked the story ! Yes, I do love imagery and metaphor lover, so I try to inject a lot of it in my stories. I'm happy the love came through. I don't mind the critiques. For the first one, I... actually did hint at why she left. Basically, she wasn't really as inversted in the relationship as much as Graeme was. That's basically what the 'Perhaps' section was implying. She liked having Graeme around (which is why she married him) but not enough to trump her party girl side. I suppose I should have made it clearer. I ...

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11:05 Dec 12, 2024

My pleasure! And you're absolutely right, on a re-read I see how important that paragraph was - I completely forgot about it when I was writing my comment lol. This is such great work, good luck this week :)

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Kristy Schnabel
03:40 Dec 12, 2024

Hi Alexis, This one is both heartwarming and bittersweet. My favorite line is: "I spared no drop in an ocean of thought to try to comprehend her sudden decision to depart." Beatrice is so fortunate to have such a Daddy! ~Kristy

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Alexis Araneta
05:40 Dec 12, 2024

Hi, Kristy! So happy you found it heartwarming. I quite liked writing that line, so I'm happy you enjoyed it. Indeed, at least, she has her dad. Thanks for reading !

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Kristi Gott
21:43 Dec 11, 2024

I enjoyed the Tahitian and ocean themes of the writing style! The concept of focusing on love is inspiring and told in a unique way. Wonderful!

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Alexis Araneta
02:17 Dec 12, 2024

Hi, Kristi! Great catch on the ocean theme. Actually, I was tying it to Paignton (the setting) being a seaside town. The Moana question was more of an attempt to have a child-related topic to frame the piece. But now that you pointed it out... Hahahaha ! Thank you for reading !

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Cedar Barkwood
18:15 Dec 11, 2024

A touching story with a wonderful use of the prompt. It was done wonderfully. Your descriptions were beautifully done, they were rich and heartfelt. Good job, and thank you for sharing!

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Alexis Araneta
02:14 Dec 12, 2024

Hi, Cedar ! Thank you so much ! Like I mentioned, I didn't quite know what to do with the prompts. I'm happy you found my use of it wonderful. Of course, I tried to make the imagery song. Glad it worked. Thanks for reading !

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Tom Skye
17:02 Dec 11, 2024

Very touching letter and good handling of the prompt. A simple premise but the elegant language used allows us to feel the pain of the writer, while he explains as best he can for his daughter. "Your outstretched mouth was streaked with undeniable, sticky pistachio drips that triggered a giggle in me before I took a washcloth to wipe them off." - Very nice Beautiful read. Thanks for sharing Nice nod to Exeter University. Thom Yorke went there, I think :)

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Alexis Araneta
17:23 Dec 11, 2024

Hi, Tom! Very happy indeed you liked the story and found it a good way to incorporate the prompt. I kind of had no idea what to write this week. I just decided to weave the concept of a question in the prompt all over the letter/story. Glad it worked! Funny you should say it was simple. I was talking to someone very dear to me (who, side note, also went to Exeter), and I told him that this story was going to be' Simple....well, Alexis simple.' Hahahaha ! In all seriousness, though, I'm beyond pleased that the pain came through the story. Fo...

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Carol Stewart
23:02 Dec 16, 2024

Aw, Alexis, the love in this really shines through, the man for his wife, yes, but mostly for his daughter, keeping the fairytale alive so to speak. I thought he would turn out to be a widower, but the abandoned husband makes it so much more poignant. Beautifully poetic with all the oceanic references.

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Alexis Araneta
00:51 Dec 17, 2024

Hi, Carol ! So very happy that the love came through in the story. Indeed, Graeme has all the love in his heart for Beatrice. I was debating whether Jemima passes or she just simply leaves, actually. But the latter has more impact ? Hahahaha ! Thanks for reading, as usual !

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Laurie Spellman
19:51 Dec 16, 2024

Wonderful work, Alexis 🩵🩷. It's lyrical and visual, just lovely—a creative way to go as usual.

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Alexis Araneta
00:53 Dec 17, 2024

Laurie ! As usual, it's so kind of you ! As usual, I agonised over the imagery (hahaha! ) , so I'm happy it worked. Thanks for reading !

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Shirley Medhurst
12:38 Dec 16, 2024

Such a touching tale, Alexis, and so poetically written too!

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Alexis Araneta
15:48 Dec 16, 2024

Thank you, Shirley! So happy you found it touching and poetic. Huge thanks for reading !

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Saoud Akram
19:03 Dec 15, 2024

Nice story, beautifully woven with heartfelt emotion and vivid imagery. It captures the tender bond between a father and his daughter with such poignant sincerity, blending moments of joy and vulnerability. Great work !

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Alexis Araneta
02:13 Dec 16, 2024

Hi, Saoud ! Thank you so much ! I'm so happy Graeme's love for Beatrice came through. Thanks for reading !

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Daniel Rogers
17:02 Dec 15, 2024

Sharing emotions, other than laughter, is difficult for me. My first thought after finishing this story was gratitude for my wife. My second was how could a mother leave her child? And for some unknown reason, the line: "all will be swept away by the tides of time.", really hit me. Time is funny that way. It heals or at least, makes us forget. Great job 😀👍

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Alexis Araneta
17:09 Dec 15, 2024

Hi, Daniel! I'm very glad this made you feel. Indeed, it was a shock for Graeme when Jemima left. I quite liked writing that line. Thanks for reading !

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Helen A Howard
08:48 Dec 15, 2024

Hi Alexis, Not only was this beautifully written, it was moving and soul-searching. It shows that love is love and that is all there is to it. The MC has not become cynical as many would have and this marks him out. I’m going to have to look up pelagic too. I’m hoping it’s something to do with the sea. Well done.

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Alexis Araneta
08:54 Dec 15, 2024

Hi, Helen! I'm so glad you found it beautifully-written and moving. Indeed, the fact that Graeme still has all this love in his heart is remarkable. And yes, pelagic = oceanic. Hahahaha ! Thanks for reading !

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Helen A Howard
13:14 Dec 20, 2024

Hi Alexis, I hoped you felt my snow globe story worked.

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