Five Days

Epilogue

Credits to Pascal Campion Art for the header pic. Thank you so much 😊❤️
Fiction.
Disclaimer: All and fully disclaimed.

*******ALDUBPARIN****************

The breeze blew my hair around my face, covering it, tickling my cheeks.
I need a haircut.
How long ago was it since I had gotten one anyway? Can't even remember. Time seemed to pass by in maddening slowness, but in reality they passed in a blur but I was too preoccupied to notice. I seemed to be doing a lot of that lately.. preoccupation.. is that even a word? Even if it wasn't, it still sounds fitting to what I have been lately.
I looked around me and quelled the urge to turn around and leave.

"Hi love, I'm here." I began, sitting on the ground next to the stone bench placed by her resting place. "I hope you didn't think I'd forget."

I sat the bouquet of lilies down and lit a candle, I ran my fingers over the headstone, tracing her name with a forefinger, and that faint familiar ache sprang up once more in my heart.
Years may have passed but it never went away, it may have dulled over time but once in a while, memories would come flooding back, and I'd wake to a fresh wave of heartache and the realization once more that she was gone.

//Flashback//
She came to me in a dream. I was surprised. It hadn't happened for a long time. Maybe she knew I was desperate. Real desperate.

"Mama?"

"Hello my love.."

"Mama!"

She smiled at me touching my cheek. "You grew up to be very gorgeous my love. But I shouldn't be surprised, you were handsome even as a baby. However, I don't like this habit of yours of dating different girls, didn't your father teach you that girls are to be respected? Tsk! I should pay him a visit soon too. But never mind.." she smiled again "That will change soon. You seem to have made a good friend in high places" points a dainty finger up "A real powerful one who pleaded your cause. It seems to be of real importance that you and that beautiful girl be together. Something about the good of the future" she smile again.

"What future?"

"Not for you to know now, it will unfold when the time is right. It is enough that they let me see you so I can give you the good news" Mama kissed my cheek "Take very good care of her. She deserves all the love you can give."
She lovingly held my hands. "You have a good heart my son, always remember that. I love you.."

Tears were running from my face and I didn't even realize it. "Mama.. please don't go, don't leave me"

"She will take good care of you now, nothing to worry about. Everything will fall into place. Trust your heart." She hugged me. "I must go now. But wait hang on, Alden James Reyes Richards, I didn't suffer from ten hours of excruciating labor just so you can be a slob and a drunkard!"

I swear I felt her twist my ears. Ouch!

"Cocoa pebbles are not dinner, ice cream is not breakfast, and coffee is not lunch! And shave! She doesn't like it when you have too much facial hair, it makes her itch when you kiss her. And you can't kiss my grandchildren too if you haven't shaved, they get the allergies!"

"Grand-what??

She smiled. "Take good care my son. Take good care of your family.." She winked and gave me one last kiss on my forehead and disappeared.

Was it really a dream?

That day Maine and I went back to the city, the drive back was quiet. Silence reigned, neither one of us wanted to say anything for we were both afraid to shatter the happy memories we had created to take with us to where ever we may end up.