REMEMBER ME
It was still dark outside when she woke up. In the darkness of her room she moved her hand the way she did every day. But today there was something different. Today, there wasn’t her husband’s warm, rough, protective hand to hold hers but rather the cold sheets of her bed.
A tear rolled down her cheek, as she realized that the past few days weren’t just a bad dream. “Be strong.” In her mind, she said to herself, because she knew, that no matter how much she cried, he wasn’t coming back.
“Don’t cry.” She begged her heart. But it seemed to have a mind of its own. As the tears started to flow and her chest tightened, she buried her face in a pillow, and cried.
As she finally got out of the bed, she removed the now tear soaked pillow covers, throwing them in the laundry basket, she headed to the bathroom to wash her face. She knew that she had to be strong. The one she could lean on, was there no more, so as she got out of the bathroom and started dressing up, she practiced her fake smile.
“I’m fine. Really. Thank you.” She said to her reflection in the mirror and then smiled her smile. It looked as if she was okay and that was exactly what she wanted the world to believe. She repeated the phrase and smiled one last time before she headed out through the door.
Work was good. It helped occupy her mind and thoughts. She worked as if there was no tomorrow, till the guard asked her to leave. As she looked at the guard locking up while driving her car out of the parking lot, the thought of her now empty house made her want to throw up.
It was almost midnight and she lay awake in bed, scared that if she slept, she would see him once again. Even though the thought of seeing him, was pleasant and sweet, she was scared that once she slept, she won’t be able to bear waking up again.
The doorbell rang and she made her way down the stairs, one part wondering who it was, and part wishing it was him. “Hello Mom.” Said her son as she opened the door. “Dad asked me to give you this.” He continued handing her an envelope. She opened the envelope and took out the letter and her eyes filled with tears again. This time, however, it was not sorrow but joy that made her heart cry.
“Hello Dear.”
The letter started.
“If you’re reading this, I’m long dead. I wish we had more time, but some things we just can’t control. I know you would be sad, thinking you’re all alone, and you’d be confused thinking what you’re going to do. I know it will be hard. It was hard for me too. The thought of leaving your side was more painful for me than the cancer itself. I’m sorry I had to leave early.”
She could feel the tears build up in her eyes as she continued to read.
“I thought I could fight it till today. However, I wish you to be happy, because I live in your memories every day. And instead of the sad parts, I wish you’d remember the happy ones. Because I don’t want to be blamed for your tears ever again. And since I couldn’t come on my own, I’ve sent our son as my messenger, to apologize for all the times I forgot, and to tell you that this time I did not. Love, your husband.”
She looked up from the letter and saw her son holding a diamond ring in his hand.
“Happy 25th Anniversary Mom!”
