Maressa Mortimer, Sylva Fae, and Melanie P. Smith

Patience

Patience By Joy Margetts

‘It takes patience, Son,’ Dad said, as he cast the fishing line out once more. Usually I sat quietly in a corner amidst the maelstrom and watched my mother play referee, a fixed smile on her face. ‘Mum’s family are loud,’ I said suddenly.

I was bored, but I didn’t say so. He always disappeared with his fishing gear on a Sunday afternoon. This was the first time he had allowed me to come.

Sunday afternoons were when my Mum’s sisters came to visit, with six children between them, all girls. ‘Yes,’ Dad grinned. ‘It takes patience, Son!’

Patience By Adrian Czarnecki

Used to drive me crazy. I was forever being lectured about patience. Patience this, patience that aaaaaargh I’m really losing my patience. And then, and then I met her ......... omg not only was she stunningly beautiful, equally enigmatic as she was charismatic, she was tolerant, understood my ideosyncrasies, loved me beyond belief without question even to the point of letting me think I was the boss when all along, well along along I knew deep down she was the boss, my rock and mmmm, quite simply she had the patience of a Saint.

Growth By Maressa Mortimer

It started with a knock. Granted, it was a hard one and I groaned as part of me disappeared, but once I realised the consequences of that one incident, I forgot the impact itself. Soon the next came, and I began looking forward, waiting patiently. Within a week, an edge had grown, and I began breathing faster each time I heard the hum of tires. The day came where the wheels swerved, my sides crumbling ever so slightly. My mission firmly in place, I gritted my teeth as each dust cloud descended. This was my destiny. Soon, there would be fewer cars and I secretly hoped that a beautiful flower or plant would be given to me. Growth comes to those who wait.

Occasionally, my sleep was interrupted by a vicious knock. Those startled me, but I smirked in the dark, knowing that the person waking me would have been equally shocked. It was all for a good cause and every day counted. I grew steadily and each collision had some effect. I started to see the faces of the people seconds before connecting with me, and it filled me with satisfaction. I wished I could reach out, stop them from avoiding me and fulfil my mission. Days crumbled into weeks and my patience with it. I started averting my eyes as the anger on people’s faces no longer felt part of my calling. Seeing a raised fist at me seconds before a third edge was added to my shape brought clarity. Maybe it wasn’t up to me to change the world. Maybe I should be content with maximising my impact. Knowing what might come soon, I knew time was short. I no longer smiled in satisfaction after each thud. I narrowed my eyes instead, not because of the grit and dust raining down on me, but because I hoped there would be lasting damage to at least one wheel if not two.

Until I woke up one morning, a yellow ring around me. My heart sank. My time would be up soon. No flowers for me. Not even a cake. I eagerly looked down the road, watching for black wheels to come closer. The yellow ring made me conspicuous, and that day there was only one connection. I didn’t give up hope. I could still grow and change the course for at least one person. Until the workmen came, filling me, stamping on me, the heat of new tarmac unbearable, choking me, my hopes of forcing wheels off the road smoothed away. My aspirations as a pothole unfulfilled.

The Naughty Step By Sylva Fae

I'm on the naughty step again! I didn't mean to shout but they were bugging me. They'd been bugging me all morning, and nobody cares! One minute punishment for each year of my age, that’s the rule, isn’t it? I’m not sure I’ll last that long! It's so unfair! I mean, it’s not even my mess all over the floor - I didn't knock over the box of Lego, and it wasn't me who crushed cake crumbs into the new rug.

They were being particularly horrible today, and to be honest, I’d rather be here than downstairs right now. Here is tidy and peaceful. It's a mess down there, let them deal with it for once! Let them sweep up the glitter sparkling on the rug. Let them mop up the spilt cup of juice that's slowly trickling under the sofa, they haven't even noticed it. They won't though… I’d tell them to clear up the mess, but nobody listens to me - until I shout. I don’t like shouting. Shouting is what put me on the naughty step. I can hear them yelling at each other, occasionally my name is called, repeated - over and over. I delight in ignoring them for once. I can see them clearly but I'm invisible to them on the naughty step. I watch as cushions get thrown, they sparkle with the glitter from the rug and actually, it looks quite pretty from up here. Just a few more minutes then I'll have to go down and face them. Timeout really does work, I feel much calmer now and ready to deal with whatever ordeals lie ahead. Ah well, deep breath, one...two...three... Happy face back on. I suppose it's time to go back to being the perfect patient parent!

Perfect Moment By Melanie P. Smith

The bright sun slowly makes its way across the clear blue sky inching lower as it travels further west. A slight haze floats above the serene greenish blue surface of the lake. The sizzling air mixes with cool water, evaporating off the surface. I continue to sit, silently waiting for just the right moment. Seconds tick by, one minute turns into five. I shift, trying to settle into a more comfortable position. Dirt and tiny rocks stick to the side of my leg. I casually flick them away as I continue to watch and wait. Tiny gnats circle, flies buzz next to my ear, and a huge mosquito tickles the soft hair on my left arm. I try to ignore them and focus on my goal, silently watching and waiting. Finally, the moment I’ve been longing for has arrived. The sun settles gently behind the rolling hills. Smiling, I lift my camera, check the controls one last time, and settle it gently in place. My eyes adapt to the tiny lens. I adjust the zoom, check the focus, and lightly press the button. Now for the moment of truth — did I capture it, or miss it completely? As the image fills the display, I smile. Once again, I’ve captured that perfect moment.