Thinking Out Loud

Chapter 24: The Past

We kept on walking and walking and I didn't know where our feet were taking us.  Blake carried Trevor  on his shoulder while carrying 4 boxes which we crafted and designed last night.  Mrs. Simons   was  following behind them as well. Inside her  basket, there were beautifully made candles.  I was wondering what we were going to do.  Without any complaint, I just saved my questions later.  After 20 minutes of walking and a little hiking, we arrived to our destination.  

"Wow, this river is nice! The water is as clear as crystal." I said with an amazement.  I didn't have any idea that our destination was going to a river which was a bit close from the Davis' Mansion. 

"Kamri, could you please place the boxes in here and help me put the candles inside." Mrs. Simons requested me to do.  I walked towards her while carrying the other boxes and started to  place the candles inside.  Blake and Trevor soaked their feet in the water.

"Daddy, it is so cold." Trevor exclaimed as he jumped and jumped to the shallow water.

"Yeah, indeed. Don't move much.  Be careful with your steps." Blake hold his hand.  He guided Trevor and watched him steadily to avoid accident. 

"Mrs. Simons.... Can I ask a question? What are these for?  I softly whispered so that Blake couldn't hear me.

"Oh, didn't he tell you?" She  replied. She stood up and stretch her back.

"Yeah, he didn't." I replied.

"Today is his late wife's  death anniversary.  Every year, we come here to pay tribute for his wife.  These cute boxes that you made would be his theme  for this year.  We are going to put the candles inside, light  them and let them afloat in the river.  The stream will drive the course of these boxes."  Mrs. Simons explained as she light the  candles one by one.

"Really? Since I got in here, I knew more things about the private life of Blake."  I said while rubbing my head.

"What is her name?" I asked.

"Her name is Sofia.  She was an amazing, delicate, God-fearing woman.  She was Blake's life." She said.  I wanted to more about Sofia but Blake and Trevor came to us.

"Mrs. Simons, is everything ready?" Blaked asked as he carried Trevor and put him on his feet.

"Daddy, I'm so excited. I hope Mommy can see it." Trevor giggled beside his dad.

"Sure, she will." Blake smiled genuinely.  I could see that his eyes sparkled but I could sense the sorrow inside his eyes, the loneliness and the longing to see her if he could.  One by one we gathered the boxes and placed it on the water and let the current of the water carry the boxes.

"Trevor, do you want to write a message to your Mom?" I asked while I took my pen inside the back pocket of my pants.

"Oh, I'd love to."  He took my pen and started to write something though his penmanship wasn't that good enough.  He wrote " I love you mommy." How sweet he was.  Then, he ran towards Blake and showed him his box.  Blake smiled and both of them afloat the box.  Blake stood still and closed his eyes while holding the hand of his son.  He seemed to be praying or contemplating.

We stayed at the river and had our lunch there.  Blake and Trevor were busy playing and splashing the water.  It was a perfect timing for me to talk to Mrs. Simons.  

"Mrs. Simons, can we continue our talk a while ago?" I hushly spoke.

"Oh, for sure. You are now more interested." She replied and began telling the story.