Forever

Searching

"Hey, hey, relax, she's got a gun," Abraham said, putting a hand on Henry's shoulder. He was crouched on the sidewalk, staring at the scuff marks and trying desperately to determine which way the cars and driven off.

"No, she doesn't. I did not want to threaten the man, so I asked her to leave it in the car." He grunted, standing.

"Come on, I doubt he would hurt her. He killed you so Jo could stay in the dark about the curse."

"That's what I'm worried about. He'll tell her everything, and I mean everything. We'll have to move, Abraham, and people are unpredictable; She could tell or she could not."

"And if she does and no one believes her? What then?"

"She'll be shipped to a mental ward. They may even send me, and ask why I filled her head with such stories." He rolled his shoulders, trying to get the gray shirt to rest more comfortably on his shoulders. The tag was rubbing into the back of his neck and he found it really quite irritating when he was trying to think.

"The tracks lead that way, Dad." Abraham pointed down the street and Henry looked up, feeling his stomach lurch with nervous anticipation. They could take his son's life. Beat him and.........

"I know what you're thinking. I stay with you. Jo's gonna want a memorable face when she's rescued and she sees yours every day. I wanna turn."

"Fine, then." Henry replied, jogging in the direction his son had pointed out. Abraham followed, a walk.

"Well, are you coming?" He asked, stopping and turning.

"I'll keep up. You know, modern sneakers are better for running than 1900 business shoes."

"Pfff. Modern shoes my......" Henry pressed on, grumbling. The rubber marks stopped in front of an old library, one he well remembered from his days with Abigail......

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Henry raced up the stone stairs, Abigail by his side. Chuckling, they pulled open the heavy oaken doors and stepped in, brushing ice and snow from each other's clothes. They had just run around the block, racing like children. Henry knew heelds were hard to run in, and had slowed his pace deliberately so she could keep up. The librarian looked up from her desk and shushed them, putting a finger to her lips. Henry glanced at Abigail and did the same, shushing her teasingly. She gave him a playful swat in the arm and they hurried through the library, searching for a book they and hidden long ago for memory reasons. They found it on the top floor, buried under a pile of newspapers. Looking around in an overly exaggerated way, Henry pulled the leather-bound book from under the papers, grinning widely from ear-to-ear.

His 'Mockingbird Grin', as Abigail called it.

Snickering excitedly, they pulled it open, staring at the worn pages. A poem was written, the first script im the book.

Roses are red,

Violets are blue,

I will always.......

"Love you," Abigail whispered in his ear, running a hand through his hair. Henry turned his head and kissed her, glad to be in the warmth and in her loving company. Away from the cold clutches of his curse, away from the world and its problems......

________________________________

"Dad? You alright?" Abraham placed a hand in his arm and gently shook Henry from his reverie. The cool night air woks him up, and he nodded.

"Yes, I'm alright. Just......"

"Ah. Reminiscing."

"Can you.... Stay here?"

Abraham looked confused. "But I thought......."

Sighing, Henry stared ahead at the door. They were nearly gone now, hanging on hinges that were soon to be nonexistent. Nostalgia burned in his chest as he struggled with the desicion to allow Abraham to join him.

"No."

"But-"

"No!" He snapped. Abraham froze, taken aback by the sharp reply. He stepped back as Henry took the step two at a time, determination taking trip in his limbs. God, this brought back memories.........