Rue

CHAPTER 1

"Do you ever get to wonder why we forget about some people, things and happenings, and yet we can remember some?" I asked the crowd in an attempt of a melancholic tone that somehow did not sound like the way I was feeling.

"When we remember the lines from our favorite movies, but forget the characters' inner dialogue when the plot finally falls into place? Like when we remember everything that happens on our first dates, yet forget the actual day it happened?" As I continued my eulogy, a woman in her belted black dress, seated at the front looked down and smiled as she wiped her tears away.

"Like what makes other events more memorable than the others? Do they have a specific element that makes them unforgettable? Is it even [really] categorical? Or, it is just a matter in life where our brain connects with the so-called 'heart' which makes us keep the special things in our biological hard-drives, or at least hide it in our brains. Uncle Ben used to ask me these questions. And up until now, even after all those dull moments while fishing by the Coco trail. I still do not get what he meant, and now he is leaving me without answering the problems he gave. Well, we all know, that is Uncle Ben."

I had my grief rolling down so I ended my speech right away leaving a thank you note to kiss my uncle goodbye. I went down to sit at the frontrow beside my cousins Alvin and Delila who I had the chance of meeting twice in this lifetime since their mom was a recluse. I have always thought about how she was uncle Ben's biggest inspiration in life, and his biggest disappointment. She lived in total devotion to her dead husband she lost in an accident. She vowed never to know what's more to life, affecting her relationship with her family, most especially, her children. I just know that the best-selling book written by Uncle Ben was a representation of Aunt Bella's life story.

Aunt Leina embraced me as I left the pulpit.

The burial was silent, and only after such when everyone started talking about their shared memoirs with uncle Ben. I stood by the window and saw the clouds gently sail in the oceans of the blue skies. Aunt Leina tapped my shoulders. I shrugged.

"I would like you to meet someone. She loves your uncle very much. Come."

I put my wine down on the tall glass table beside the window, and followed her. We went outside the room and walked near a group of college girls who I assumed to be uncle Ben's students.

"Hi, ladies! May I talk to Rue?" Aunt Leina asked graciously. The college girls walked towards the fountain where an elaborate table of crackers, cheese, and shrimp poppers were set.

"Hi, Mrs. Hencher." Said Rue.

They shook hands and kissed each other's cheek.

"This is John, my husband's favorite. I want you both to be friends, okay?"

Rue laughed and asked aunt Leina why.

"Remember the book Ben was writing? You were both curious about it. You both kept him motivated to finish that book. He wanted to give you an ending."

Curiously we nodded.

"I cannot believe I will not wake up again to see him in his chair with all those trashed papers, and cups of coffee.. or tea? Ugh, I miss him."

We did not know how to respond to that, which aunt Leina seemed to notice. She immediately moved herself to keep us in both her arms tightly.

"So I was thinking.. Can you both try to figure out a way to conclude Ben's tale. Finish the book, sweeties. I know you two have your endings in those bright imaginations."

Rue and I were both surprised to hear such a request.

"But, Mrs. Hencher, it's Professor Ben's creation. We shouldn't be.."