Trifecta Writing Challenge

In the light of day, it was nothing remarkable.  Closely packed driveways each leading to a carport, a repeating pattern which seemed to go on forever, pierced by the sun only when it was straight up in the sky.  On Tuesdays, the trash bins moved from their slots under the carports to the tall, wood slat fence directly opposite where the trash collectors could easily dump the contents.

In summer, the black asphalt reached a temperature so hot by midday heat waves formed mini mirages of water puddles down the length of the alley.  Cracks gave way to the occasional dandelion, a temporary yellow dot in a sea of black and brown.  Jacaranda trees evenly interspersed, growing on the other side of the fence spread their branches over the narrow space providing occasional lacy spots of shade.

It was here under their lush purple blooms of spring their first kiss was shared.  Gentle, tender, and full of promise.  Her lips were full and inviting, beckoning his own closer and closer.  Eyes as blue as the ocean’s depths sparkled when they looked into his own.  Hair as black as a raven and skin so white, he had thought his heart would burst from the need that consumed him.

That spring seemed a lifetime ago.  A lifetime during which the only thing he’d cared about had been taken from him.  His soul had been stripped away not once, but twice in this seemingly unremarkable alley, beneath the Jacaranda where her life’s blood and the very essence of his soul stained the asphalt.  He would not return again.

This is my entry for week 31 of the trifecta writing challenge.  The challenge is to write 33-333 words including one given word, and it’s third definition as listed in the dictionary.  The given word for this week was alley:  3: a narrow street; especially : a thoroughfare through the middle of a block giving access to the rear of lots or buildings.  If you’d like to try out the trifecta challenge, click on the link above and follow the guidelines.