The Tragedy of Marco

Chapter XIII: The Epilogue

The funeral of Marco Sebastian Garis was a modest event surrounded only by the closest relatives and, of course, Marco's friends. It took place on a graveyard not far away from Garis residence. Mary and Leonardo bought a family tomb, visioning that one day Marco will bury them there, but now, the plan reversed. Parents entombed their son. Their only child. Grey mausoleum became his new home.

A month later, Mary visited the tomb for the first time after the funeral. White roses and candleholders were surrounding Marco's picture. Tears streamed down her face as she spoke to her son.

"I did a lot of mistakes in my life, Marco. I know. And instead of fixing them, I doubled them. I wasn't a mother and I wasn't a wife, I was only a businesswoman. To me, it never seemed like something is missing in my life. I didn't see my own silent catastrophe as I carried on towards the success I later had as a company owner. I forgot to hug you, I lied to your father and I let you slip through my fingers. And when someone made my mistakes obvious, I didn't listen. I blamed you or Leo. I now realize how many times you called for help and I didn't hear you. I will never know whether I had the power to save you or not, and that will kill me on the inside as long as I live. But that is the price. Oh god, how was I so stupid to lose you again? How was I so blind to let you go? I am sorry, Marcy, I am so sorry. I hope you are home now. In a better place. I hope you can hear me, and that you can forgive me for what I have done."

A voice asking if she was feeling well interrupted her. As she turned around she saw a woman. In her hands, a bouquet of lilies, Marco's favourite. Mary recognized her. Gabrielle.

"Gaby, I have to tell you something," she said, as she accepted a tissue from her to wipe the tears. "Because of you my son was happy for the past years. You were the happiness that his father and I couldn't give to him. And for that I am grateful. And I always will be," she made a short pause. "You are welcome to stop by at our home whenever you want. You were Marco's girlfriend, and with that, you are our family."

After saying that, Mary left. Gabrielle turned to Marco, put the lilies down and smiled.

"I have read some of your diaries, Marco. I hope you don't mind. I miss you so much, my love. And reading them makes me feel like you are still next to me. If I close my eyes, I can still feel your hands on me, I can hear your voice. Right now, I live for these moments. I will move on. I promise. But I will never forget you. I will never stop saying your name. You, my love, will not age a single day anymore. You will live in my heart, my soul and my mind. Forever. Forever young, forever loved, forever mine.

*

As Mary was driving home, Jordan called to invite her to grab a coffee. Even though their relationship was never on a positive side, they became good friends. They met at Mary's local pastry shop.

"You know, Mary ... I am so happy you didn't give Marco's personal belongings to the police. And I am delighted that you insisted to talk to me that afternoon. Marco changed my life. I now see colours I didn't see before this case."

"If anything, Marco taught us to talk," added Mary. She then changed the topic. There was something more she wanted to know.

"How's the situation with Anna?"

The look in Jordan's eyes changed as he answered: "We are getting divorced and the battle for custody over our son will begin next month."

"Listen Jordan, I am sorry for what happened in your office that day."

"Oh, it is okay. I had to find out sooner or later. But tell me, how did Leo react when he found out you ordered an investigation?"

"He might have killed me in his mind a few times," Mary said jokingly. "But otherwise he accepted it without remorse or anger. The only thing important to him was that our son has been found."

Mary and Jordan talked for an hour more and then they wished each other luck with further work and promised to see each other some day.

*

Mary sat next to Leo. Silence ruled in the house, but the atmosphere implied it is time for a talk.

"It is our fault," started Mary.

"We were so blind, Mary. How did manage to fail so hard? We used to be so happy. All three of us. Remember how we redecorated Marco's room when he was 5 years old?"

Mary nodded. Melancholic nostalgia hit her. She wanted to add something, but Leo interrupted her. He spoke slowly, making a pause after every sentence. His voice was full of sadness yet powerful.

"There are talents, memories, and tales that world will never know about our Marco. And it is our fault. We should have been better parents, better friends, and better listeners. But it is too late now. We will have to live with it. We will have to watch neighbour's children grow up and not show how broken we actually are. We will have to visit other people's houses and listen about their children travelling the world. And we will have to smile and not feel remorseful. And when we'll come home, empty house will welcome us. And you know what is the worst? We will never hear his laugh. Never again. There was an emptiness created that will never be filled. We will have to be strong. Stronger than ever."

They looked in each other's eyes. In order to live on, they had to forgive. They had to accept their love again. And as they slowly did it, the atmosphere of purity filled them. The same air they breathed back then, when Leo proposed to her, again created a strong bond between them. Mary broke the silence.

"We are at a new beginning, Leo. Where do we go from now?"

Leonardo looked at her, and answered with a silent, smooth voice: "I don't know where we are going; but what I do know is how we are going."

THE END

Special thanks to Warren Williams, an artist who created book cover of The Tragedy of Marco.

Copyright © 2015 by Ben Zajc. All rights reserved.

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