Runaway Halloween

Chapter 11

Happy that Melanie had managed to throw out a few items, Linda wanted her to go out to celebrate, hoping it would turn into a regular occurrence. She needed Melanie to see this was a way to slowly come to terms with her husband's death. "You did really well there," she congratulated Melanie. "I am pleased."

Melanie looked at her. "It wasn't easy getting rid of those things," she replied. "I will always need to hold onto a few items of his. I'll never want to fully let go of his memory."

Linda reassured her, "I know, and I am not asking you to get rid of everything at once. A little at a time will ensure you'll remember him for longer," she said, placing one arm around Melanie. "How about we go out to celebrate?" she tried to encourage Melanie.

A shake of her head, Melanie said, "I can't. What if Brian returns and I'm not here?"

"He will always be here," Linda said, thumping her heart. "As long as he remains there, you will never be able to let him go. He'll be around when you always require him."

"So why do I feel as if I'll never see him again?" Melanie asked.

"You may never physically see him, but he will always be alive in your thoughts. How about I take you out for an hour," Linda tried to encourage her. "Time from your home may help you get back on track, encourage you to do other things. You have to go out sooner or later to socialise. You may find another Brian and be happy again. You cannot remain here indefinately with no one for comfort."

"I can never betray his memory. He was the only man I had ever wanted to be with since I was young. No one else would ever compare to him."

"You may think that now, but give it time..." Linda began.

"Time. What is that? A commodity with which we measure our lives. Time is only ticking away while you wait for nothing. What is there when time has gone? No one knows what happens to us when we can no longer hear that clock tick. Why did anyone invent time?" Melanie asked.

"You've got to get out," Linda pulled Melanie towards her. "If you remain alone in here much longer, you would live in fear of losing all the social activities you've built up in the past."

Melanie placed her head on Linda's shoulder and felt tears fall from her eyes.

Linda placed her other arm around Melanie for comfort.

As Melanie cried, Linda rubbed her back with the arm she had just placed around her. "It will be okay, Mel. Brian will always be around you. It's not easy to let go of someone you felt so much for." Linda had never married, and she was able to count the amount of relationships she had on one hand. But the lives she watched had taught her so many valuable lessons and she felt grateful for what she had.

Melanie quietly smiled as her head remained on Linda's shoulder. "You're a good friend to me Lind. I hope I will never lose you," she said through her tears.

"Don't be so daft. I'm here for the long haul."

Looking at Linda through the corner of her eye, Melanie shrugged her shoulder in a 'whatever' gesture. Linda was a lot older than she, and knew that eventually everyone would be stolen the same way as Brian was.

"Maybe I will come for just half an hour. No more, mind you," she waggled her finger as she finished.

Linda smiled, pushing back her head. "Get your coat then."

Melanie swept her hands down her body. "What about me changing into decent clothes," she remarked. "I don't want to go out of the house looking like I just been in a fight," she said, going up the stairs.

As Melanie ascended, Linda shouted, "But don't be too long. We got to get up for work tomorrow."

"I won't," she shouted back.

Linda sat in the chair near the electric fire, leaning forward to warm her hands, to wait.

"Ready," Melanie said, as she descended the stairs. Wearing a black t-shirt, underneath a black cardigan with black jeans, she looked as if she was going to a funeral.

"Are you in mourning for someone?" Linda joked.

"If all you can do..." Melanie begun.

"Don't be silly," Linda said, holding out her hands in a come-to-me gesture. "You can wear whatever you like. It is your choice."

Melanie smiled.

"That's right. Let's see that smile of yours. It has been missed in work," Linda urged. "More of that is what's needed."

"I find it difficult," Melanie replied. "I will try in future, but cannot promise anything."

"At least you'll be trying," Linda said as Melanie put on her coat. "Are you ready then?"

Melanie nodded as she turned to leave the living room to put her shoes on.

Dressed as warmly as she could, she left the house with Linda. As the door closed, she wanted to rush back inside, but Linda had already placed her arm around her as they walked down the street.

© 2016 Tony Lawrence. All Rights Reserved

Disclaimer- The pictures are NOT mine