The Quilt

by Miriam E. Waters

Miriam moved toward the last quilt in the show.  It had caught her eye when she first entered the room.  She had been slowly making her way through the displays to stand in front of it.

“How I wish that I could achieve something so breathtakingly beautiful!  It’s a constellation of stars within stars!” were the thoughts that occurred to her as she regarded the piece.

She saw that the points of each star were sharp and centered.  She examined each block and found them to be balanced.  With an almost envious appraisal she noted the delicate hand quilting in the form of swirls, feathers, and flowers.  “Exquisite,” Miriam thought.  

As she admired the fine workmanship of the piece, her mind began a slow dance back to another day, to another quilt.  In her mind’s eye she watched as the stars began to whirl around and around and around, taking her back into the arms of yesterday’s love.

The wedding chamber was lit by the soft glow from the fireplace.  The bridal quilt, crafted by loving hands, was laid across the bed.  Her mother and aunts had worked for months creating the quilt for this special night, her first as a married woman.

“Miriam,” her new husband called to her. “We only have these few hours before my leave is over,” he said.  “Come and be with me.”  So she did.

Morning came too soon.  Miriam’s husband brushed the tears from her cheek and gathered her into his arms.  “It’s bittersweet leaving you like this,” he whispered into her hair.  “It won’t be long before I’ll come back to you,” he promised as the newlyweds said their sad goodbyes.

He’d kept his word.  She cradled the folded flag she’d been given in recognition of his sacrifice.  Miriam opened the cedar chest and gently laid the flag upon her wedding quilt.  The lid caught with a soft click as she closed it on the conclusion of her married life.

Miriam turned from the quilt with a small shake of her head and a breath of a sigh. She moved with a leaden heart toward the exhibit hall’s exit.