Memories of Life

2. In The Beginning

"Robert"

The fair haired boy with dark green eyes stood motionless not hearing his name called, still gazing at the black rectangular pit in the ground. The hole seemed like it could go on forever from where he stood a short distance away, and the people who had stood around it had disappeared without him even noticing. So black, and so deep he thought; but not even a six-year-old boys' curiosity would make him look in it.

"Robert!" The mans voice called again, this time louder, but in a low restrained tone.

The boy's eyes lifted, and he turned to meet his fathers stony faced gaze. One he was well familiar with when expected to follow his instruction. "It's time to go son." His father said, placing his hand on the boys' shoulder giving a strained smile, before guiding him away.

Briefly the boy thought to look back at the hole in the ground, but what good would it do? He felt tired and not to mention hungry, though it would be out of the question to ask his father for something to eat, especially now.

They walked a short distance to where a group of people congregated around each other. Robert recognised Aunty Nina and Elise, along with Uncle Pat, whom he didn't like very much, who was talking to Grandpa Lucius, and Pop in low hushed tones.

Behind them stood others that Robert couldn't see, but before he could find the person he was looking for Aunty Nina broke rank from the huddle at such pace towards Robert, he felt he needed to dodge her or be knocked over. Though before he could react she was upon him, embracing him tightly with fresh tears rolling down her face causing black lines of mascara to stain her cheeks. She had cried so much at home, the church, and now the cemetery he thought.

"Oh Robbie my boy. She loved you so much." Aunty Nina said choking on her tears, before gratefully releasing Robert from her embrace and kneeling in front of him, holding his hands in hers.

The boy nodded, unsure of what to say. She looked so sad, and he knew he couldn't ask her for food; that would be rude. Besides, he liked Aunty Nina very much; she would visit every year always laughing, and telling him and his brother of her travels, giving them unusual gifts from the countries she had been to. Like the Chinese lanterns that would rise high into the air like a balloon when a candle in a small basket was lit at its base. Robert had loved it so much. "She loved you too." He said finally, wanting to make her happy.

"You're my beautiful darling boy even more now - you and Michael." She sobbed at the boys' attempt at comfort her, then squeezed him tight once more.

Michael! - Where was Michael? Robert peered over Aunty Nina's shoulder towards the others behind her. Grandpa Lucius and Grandma Beth were only a few meters away, and in between their embrace, tears, and soothing words was Michael; and just like Aunty Nina, he was still crying too.

Releasing Robert from her embrace Aunty Nina kissed him on the cheek before rising to embrace her sister, with still more crying. Leaving them, Robert walked towards Michael, his face buried in Grandma Beth's long dark coat, and his arms limp at her sides as she hugged him tight. Reaching out Robert grabbed his brothers hand to gain his attention, wondering if he could ask him for something to eat. But the sight of Michaels' grief made him feel now was not the time to ask even him. "Dad says we have to go Michael." Robert announced, squeezing his brothers hand.

Michael responded with a gentle squeeze of his own. His unusually pale face, and red eyes looked out from Grandma Beth's dark coat, but they did not meet Roberts. They looked beyond him, and Robert turned to see them fixed on his father who was talking to Pop. Michaels eyes then transformed from sadness, to anger as his hand squeezed Roberts a little tighter. Through tight lips that barely moved Michael whispered. "I don't care what he wants."