A Crow's Kiss

Chapter 1- Farewell Gift

August 1971

A sudden jolt seizes my spine. The wind has just picked up, slightly dispersing the mist around the tombstones along the way. I can feel my hair on the back of my neck, raising as I stand before his grave

Hugo Webber

April 4th 1962 — September 29th 1969

I kneel down, not minding the mud wetting my jeans. I stare at those pitiful carved letters in the poor quality stone. It is all that's written. A name and two dates. His birth and death.

It is all I could afford, and still, it cost me all that I so far had saved for college. The coffin and the stone. I didn't want him to get a sadly looking wooden cross or a small metal frame with his picture on it. I had to do it. I surely owed him that. We might not have shared the same blood, but he was my little brother.

Ever since he died I've been visiting him at least three to four times a week. I cried and cried without finding an end for at least four months before acknowledging that he was not going to come back.

It's been almost two years. Now it's mainly a moment where I can meditate and contemplate, or simply forget about my life. When the temperature allows it, I lean against the grave and tell him about my day. Some other times, the others will engage conversations, because he never does answer.

I used to be angry at him for that, but he's long forgiven to this date. I'm actually pretty relieved to know that he must be in a better place and not stuck here, wandering around.

" You're still here ?'' Says a hoarse voice behind my shoulder.

I take a glance back.
" Hey, Miss Irvine.'' I greet her with a small smile.

She frowns. I turn back at Hugo.

" Shouldn't you be at home, packing your bags ?''

I give her a slight nod.

" Yes, I just wanted to come see him one last time.''

" Ah, I see.''

I shouldn't feel guilty, but I can't help it. It's like I'm abandoning him.

" He's in good hands, my dear child.'' She adds with a tone wanting to appear as reassuring.

I wipe the tear on my right cheek.

" Yeah.''
" I'm sure my Richard is taking good care of him.''

" I hope so,'' I reply while getting up.

I feel a light breeze brushing my hair, then Miss Irvine appears besides the grave, the mist around almost swallowing the bottom half of her body.

" Do not fear, darling. He shall be with you always.''

She pauses a second and smiles.

" It's only a stone. He may be buried down here, but the mind and the soul remain free as the wind. A body is nothing but a vessel, which we are given and then taken.''

I've known this my whole life, but somehow, I feel like it has a different meaning coming from her.

I take in a deep breath.

*

" Where were you ?''

" At the cemetery.'' I say, my mind distant.

Lloyd sighs and throws away his cigarette end.

" Stop torturing yourself, especially today.''

I purse my lips looking down at the ground. I also feel guilty about leaving Lloyd here, but for a different reason.