Faceless

(Day Two, "Father")

Dear Father,

I have done a lot of wrong. I never heeded anything you taught me. I was always the rebellious twin, and poor Lucia suffered for it.

I know where you're buried, where you and Mother both are buried. I used to visit you and bring hyacinths, before the Council decided the graveyard was too dangerous. As far as I know, no one caught the plague there, but I suppose I was fairly young and didn't know much.

Speaking of the plague, it was still a mystery how you got it. Was it from your trip overseas? Do you even know?

I don't blame you for accidentally spreading it. Of course it's not your fault.

I still think of the times we used to have. You taking me to the park a mile away. It was such a long walk, but I loved the swings and you would spend hours swinging me while singing the songs mother taught you in your young days.

I loved the ducks. You had the ability to pick them up. It's like you were the duck whisperer.

(she quietly laughs, more sadness than anything.)

We used to joke about that all the time, remember?

Oh, and your baking. You were awful at cooking, but your cakes were the best. You never listened to my advice to start a bakery. I swear, everyone from miles around would go to buy your cakes.

That makes me hungry just thinking about it.

(she grows quiet for a few seconds.)

You had the best singing voice. And you knew so many songs. "Honey, I Love You Forever", "Dance With Me", and "Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy" were my favorites. You told me Mother would sing these to you, so you'd sing them all the time in remembrance to her.

I don't remember her.

I was young when she passed.

Four? Five?
But your recollections were enough to know her.

Her frizzy beige hair--you said it was just like mine, only she kept hers down to her waist, always in a simple messy braid. Her eyes were the color of lilacs. That still makes no sense to me, but I believe you eagerly. She had freckles all over her face. She always smelled like burnt wood, but it was the loveliest smell on her and only her. She loved banana milkshakes with chocolate syrup, no matter how rare they were.

She sounds beautiful. She always sounded beautiful. I wish I knew her.

I still have her wedding ring. It's muddy now, but I've kept it as good as I can. The chain you gave it to me on has broken, but I can usually find a new one to replace it.

(she hums quietly, seemingly lost in the song "Dance With Me" by Stellar Thoughts.)

I wish you were....

(she pauses.)

No. I don't wish you were here. My heart would absolutely shatter if I could see the disappointed look you would have at what I've become.

I love you, to the stars.

(end of recording.)