The House
by Daniel A. Olivas

    Rosana bore Raul six children in eight years.
    The house creaked under the rambunctious
    boys and girls,
    three of each.

    Rosana
    died
    with
    the
    last
    child,
    Isabel.

    Isabel grew to be a sullen young woman
    with deep eyes and hair the color of sorrow.

    Raul loved her
    but knew that
    she blamed herself for
    Rosana's death.

    One night,
    at the age of fifteen,
    Isabel packed a little bag,
    kissed her sleeping father,
    and left forever.

    When Raul
    woke,
    he knew in
    his heart that
    he was
    alone.

    And the house creaked as he wept into his hands.






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