Here Is Where My Amy Lies

by April Kelly

About the Author: April Kelly's crime and mystery stories have appeared multiple times in Tough Crime Magazine, Shotgun Honey, and Mystery Magazine, with solo appearance in Down & Out Magazine, DECASP, and Mysterical-E, and many others.

Excerpt

Few park visitors are aware of this isolated spot’s existence, making it perfect for contemplative communication with nature or, in my case, falling in love.

When a rustle of movement caused me to turn around, I saw her duck under a low-hanging branch, straighten up, then freeze upon noticing me.

“Oh, sorry. I didn’t mean to intrude.”

The left/right dart of her eyes indicated a sensible wariness. Was I dangerous? Was anyone else around? Should she run?

“No intrusion at all. I’m done with lunch and was about to leave anyway,” I said, holding up a crumpled paper bag as if she might ask for proof.

I’ll never know if it was my demeanor or words that convinced her of my harmlessness, but she approached the wood-slat bench and sat at the other end, simultaneously shifting a tiny backpack from her shoulders to her lap.

I had all but promised to leave, and would have done so had she not immediately engaged me in conversation.

“I went looking for a quiet place along the creek bank to eat my sandwich and read for an hour, but between picnickers, screaming kids and Frisbee dogs, there wasn’t one. And by the time I found the quiet, I’d lost the creek!”

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