The Reprieve

Walls of seawater swelled by the storm crashed. Floorboards creaked. Her skirt swept the worn floor as she roamed from window to window lighting the tallow candles. In the black of night, when roiling clouds cloaked the stars, these flickering lights would guide them past rocky outcrops into safe harbor.

Satisfied, she settled into a rocking chair by the window and scanned the inky night for the wink of an approaching light.

The thump of wood against wood roused her from her sleep. Outlined by the early morning glow, her son bounded from the boat followed by her husband. With her heart soaring, she gave a prayer of thanks for the reprieve.