From Holly to Ivy

I walked out the door with keys in my hand. 

“Where are you going? Dinner is in an hour.” 

“Don’t worry, I won’t be long.”  

We kissed, and I left for good. The Christmas wreath holly stabbed me in the back as I swiftly closed the door.  

~~~

The ride home was rough that evening. Rain and lightning directed my path and clamored to overtake it. I turned on my windshield wipers, grasped the steering wheel, and kept the course. I smiled as I turned onto the road once more.

The clouds parted as the sun began its descent below the horizon. I had just approached the brick cottage as the sky displayed its colors of orange and pink in the final light of day. The ivy still clung to its sides. Some things never change, I said to myself. I peeled a vine of ivy from the bricks. It fell away from the house into a patch of red soil adjacent to the home’s foundation. I thought I could hear it screaming as the ivy detached from its supply. I laughed, and walked to the back door.

I took the keys out of my left blue jean pocket, wrestling to find the right one. One strong click of the deadbolt assured me this was the right place.

I entered the kitchen, and stood there, my hands in my pockets. My heeled brown boots in a victorious stance, I laughed aloud again, amused by the absurdity of it all. I was finally back home. Some say you can never go home again. But for me, the long-lost dream came true. ∞

March 23, 2026