Hyperbole

She looked out the window at what she had done and wished for death.

Cold sweat poured from her forehead. Her breath came in short puffs as she struggled not to make a sound, as she crouched beneath the kitchen window. She was trapped, tired and terrified, unable to think of a plan of action.

Her knees shook as the car headlights shone bigger on the opposite wall.She prayed that he wouldn't notice what she had done. The car door opened and slammed shut a moment later. She closed her eyes. Oh please, oh please, oh please don't let him notice.


Gravel crunched beneath heavy footsteps, quickly coming nearer. Please, oh please, let him pass and not notice. But the footsteps had slowed down, and, to her dismay, had stopped completely. She opened her eyes and took a sharp breath. No!

She dared a peek in the window. There he stood with his back to her; his hands on his hips, his head staring at her handiwork, his head shaking. She ducked when she saw him turn towards the door. Panicking, she quickly crawled behind the couch and crouched there, hugging her knees.

The door opened and the living room lights turned on, startling her. She was glad she chose the back of the couch to hide in, her shadow would not be visible from where he stood.

"Kelly?" he called out. She was surprised at how calm his voice was considering what she'd done. She knew he'd ask why she'd done it, but would he believe that it was merely an accident? Could he forgive her after she'd destroyed something she knew he'd cherished and cared for--for such a long time? She'd never seen him with his anger directed at her, and yet, that was why she was scared in the first place! What she'd done was terrible, terrible! How could he ever forgive her?

"There you are!" The pleasure in his voice surprised her. She turned and saw him smiling at her. That was when she cried.

"I'm sorry about the roses!" She cried, tears running down her face. She stammered in her hurry to explain everything. "I-I w-was chasing a-a drag-gonfly and then I fell ov-ver!" She wailed, "I'm sorry Daddy!"

"Silly girl." He whispered, shaking his head. "Why are you crying?" He smiled and pulled her closer. "We can always plant them again."