Short Stories

The Barrier

Genevieve unlocked the front door with shaky hands, the key almost slipping out of her finger. She stepped onto the parquet floor of the house, her footsteps echoing throughout the hollow halls.

“I'm home!” She called out, but her voice cracked and she staggered to her bedroom.

She flopped down onto the four-poster bed, exhaustion claiming her as she fell into a restless sleep. She was plagued with the nightmares that played over and over again.

She yanked her hair as she screamed awake, yelling my name and sweating like she’d just run a marathon. Jane, my 3-year old daughter, ran into the bedroom, “Mommy! Mommy! Why ah you scweaming?” and jumped onto the bed, snuggling into Genevieve’s side. She cuddled Jane closer to her, tears slowly trickling down her cheeks, “Daddy won't be coming home for some time, dear.”

“Why?”

She gazed at Jane’s face with those beautiful brown eyes she inherited, “Dada went somewhere else.” She tucked Jane deeper into her stomach and stared at the window facing the rocky cliffs and the waves crashing against them.

She sang an old lullaby by her grandmother and in seconds, Jane was already curled up and asleep among the folds of the silky duvet. Genevieve, not once taking her sights off the powerful scenery, retrieved a folded piece of paper from the drawer of her small dresser. She held it to her chest for quite a while, tears dripping down her face relentlessly. I ached to wipe them away.

When she finally mustered the courage to open up the paper, she visibly trembled from head to toe.

~

Dear Dear,

 

If you are reading this, it means I'm with our Father in Heaven. I just want you to know… you have been the most important person in my life and I'm the luckiest man, even as I'm watching you from above. You look so beautiful. You are kind on the inside, beauty is never skin deep, and you are a loving creature.

 

I can still recall when you stood up for me back in first grade. Shaun was going to pummel me to bits, and you, with your swinging pigtails, was the angel who was sent to protect me. The moment you walked into my life was the best moment ever. So beautiful. You were, you are, and you will always be. They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Who’s sayin’ shit? You're beautiful to everyone.

 

The day you were attacked, I felt such rage like I'd never felt before. Despite the deficiency, you were as calm as ever. You were strong, and you didn’t even cry. While other girls would have screamed and thrashed to stay away from school, you received everything people threw at you. You did not let anyone get to you. You are strong, Genevieve. Be strong now. Can you do that for me?

 

I remember that night on the rooftop. I was so scared I'd turn out to be like dad. I was really going to do it, then you came along. You are an angel, Jenny. I have never regretted taking your hand that night and following you.

 

On our wedding day (do you still remember?), you smiled so widely it seemed the sky split for us. I was so happy and I knew you were too. At least we now know we live up to ‘till death do us part.

 

I want you to be happy again. I want you to make out beautiful, beautiful daughter happy. I want you to move on, live a life knowing I died as the luckiest and happiest man on planet earth. I want you to know that you are the source of that indescribable joy. I hope that in future, you will make another man the luckiest and happiest man on planet earth.

 

I love you, but I can't be there. I'm so sorry.

~

She stared off into space, nonce accompanying her except for Jane’s rhythmical snores. She didn’t even look forlorn—her face, devoid of emotions. That scared me very much. My frail hands reached out to touch her shoulder, to tell her that she’d be fine in the end but the moment I touched the Barrier, I was instantly repelled.

One cannot live in two worlds.

A heavy sigh escaped my lips as I drew my hand back. I took a last look at Genevieve, whose frame looked carved out of stone, and Jane my dear baby angel, before walking straight into the shadows. Genevieve stirred, as if she had felt a warm eddy of wind nudge her from behind.

I would see them again, but for now, I’d have to be content with watching over my Mrs. Ice-cream and little belle-of-the-ball Jane from above.