A Second Chance

Chapter 10

I walked somberly into Café Café searching through the faces of all the customers, emerged in eager conversations. I got distracted by all the smiles, laughs and happiness of my surroundings, until my eyes landed on a familiar face, one that was so concerned I couldn't help but look away. I walked towards Luce, my head down, I know what she is thinking after all. I know that I am not the happiest person, but no little sibling should have to have that look on their face. The look of pure pity and sympathy, especially not for their older brother.

I sat down in the open seat opposite Luce and waited to see whether she would make the first move at conversing. As the thoughts crossed my mind, she placed her hand over mine and I couldn't help but look up. I looked into her eyes and as I did, I saw her smile ever so lightly. In that moment, I saw myself through her eyes. I saw the reflection of an empty man. The pain of a hundred needles piercing my heart through her eyes were unbearable enough for me to once again lower my gaze.

"Hey Li" were the soft spoken words of my little sister. I hadn't seen her since I stormed out of my parents house over a week ago and I couldn't help but hug her. Her hands wrapped around me in the most heartfelt and protective hug.

"I know everything" she said, still holding onto me. As I let go, I couldn't help but smile. A small twitch of my lips, but a smile none the less.

"You always have to know everything, don't you?" I say light-heartedly, letting go of the breath I didn't know I was holding. Luce just smiled and shrugged before pushing a to-go coffee towards me.

"Black coffee, extra sugar with whipped cream. Just like when we used to take me out", she said as I took a sip and let the sweetness engulf my body. The heat searing down my throat was a wonderful feeling.

"Are we going somewhere?" I ask registering the to-go cup rather than a normal one.

"Yeah, Li. We're going to visit Cori."

And with that, Luce got up and started walking towards the car. I pulled out my phone and looked at the screen. The date '26 September' stared back at me and I felt a single tear roll down my cheek. I pushed the phone back into my pocket, grabbed my coffee and ran to Luce, jumping into the passenger seat of the car.

"2 years and 1 month", was all she whispered before starting the car.

The drive towards Embrey Park was silent as Luce drove and I stared out of the window. It was like being fixed into a trance of rolling hills and clear blue skies. The scene had become more and more familiar to me as the months had gone by. The little county church grew clearer as we got closer and I got out of the car at Embrey Park Catholic Church for the 26th time in my life. 
I'd been here only once before the accident...

(flashback)
I turned to look at Cori and all I saw was a ginormous smile plastered on her face. Her eyes wandered every crevice of the beautiful church, that we stood in, with so much admiration. Along either side of us were rows of elm pews stretched majestically across the floor. The ceiling was lined with glass mosaics depicting ancient biblical stories. In front of us stood the podium and I could already picture the altar being there, covered in Cori's favourite white and baby pink flowers. She walked, or rather, glided forwards towards the front, and I automatically began picturing her walking down the aisle. I just couldn't help it, she was perfection and she was going to be my wife soon. The wedding was a mere 8 months away, and I couldn't keep my excited contained.

Cori turned around joyously and exclaimed, "This is the one, William! You must feel it too! This is where our wedding will take place" 

(end flashback)

Now as I stand outside the car, the huge oak doors that marked the church entrance stood to my left and on the right, was the Embrey Park Cemetery. I had realised that my feet had started moving along the route that was engraved into my subconscious. I saw the familiar graves pass by my feet and a few names that held so many memories. 

Jason Glempton (1954-2014)
This was actually Cori's uncle, he passed away the year that I met Cori. They had been really close and when she introduced me to him, he said: "There's going to be a lot of gorgeous girls out there, but if you want a gorgeous heart, look no further" and then pointed to Cori. Oh, how right he was. 

Millicent Shippers (1989-2007)
I had the pleasure of hearing many stories about Ms. Millicent from Cori. She held the title 'Coolest Babysitter Ever'. I remember Cori saying that is Milli was alive and if she ever had children, she would want Millicent to be their babysitter. 

With that sentence, I felt tears threaten to escape their jail in my eyes.
I continued walking until I saw the name that caused my insomnia.

Corianne Winters (1996-2019)
"A girl who's soul was more beautiful than compare"

I couldn't do what I knew I had to, so I turned and looked back towards Luce. I spotted her sitting on the bonnet of her car and looking my way. She flicked her wrist and almost like an invisible force, I turned back towards the gravestone. Her grave was lined with white marbled pebbles and a bouquet of flowers lay in front of her headstone. Someone else from this little town must have paid Cori a visit before I had arrived.

I read the gravestone one more time and suddenly felt a piercing pain in my heart. My eyes were filled by this darkness that could only be described as agony. My knees buckled and I fell to the floor... 

"Cori, I-"

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