The Last Sunset

~The Last Sunset by Izzy Diamond~

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"Draw me another one, please," the young girl asked, looking into her mother's gloomy eyes.

"Maybe tomorrow sweetheart," her mother replied softly. She set her paintbrush on the canvas, careful not to get the painting wet with the brush's faint drops of water.

She took her daughter's hand, and led her outside of the small room. Before they walked out, the young girl asked quietly, "Mommy, can we go to the beach today? To see the sunset."

She paused, unsure of what to say. Could she keep such a beautiful sight from her daughter? She knew she shouldn't, for it would bring her to flood the beach with tears. But she couldn't hide it forever.

"Sure sweetheart. Right now is the perfect time. Let's get going."

The little girl grinned up at her mother. Letting go of her mother's hand, she danced to the closet. She pulled out the step stool, for it helped her reach things easier. She grabbed her sky blue rain coat, and jumped down. Right before she closed the door, she pushed the stool back in.

Taking a moment to put on her coat, she saw her mother with her eyes closed. Oh how peaceful she looked. A piece of her wavy brown hair covered her tired eyes. The girl noticed her mother's deep breaths. They were uncertain like they were trying to escape but didn't know how.

"Are you ok?" She asked into the silence.

Taking a shallow deep breath, her mother nodded in reply. Getting up from the wooden chair, she took the girls hand. They got into their car, and buckled up. She drove cautiously to the beach.

The sun was just about ready to fall asleep when they arrived. She reminded herself that it would be ok. She took her daughter's hand and led her to the water's edge. Placing a blanket down, they sat waiting.

She took the moment to take her surroundings in. It wasn't like what she remembered. There weren't any people anywhere near like before. The beach was silent, except for their breaths and the waves luxurious sounds. The sand was a dull, frail, delicate brown instead of a blazing yellow like before. The sky was turning into a thoughtful pink.

Turning, she saw her daughter in complete awe. Her eyes had widened as the sky became a cloud of pink. The sun fell asleep, leaving a trail of wondrous colors.

"Is this why you always paint what you paint?" The young girl asked, now facing her mother.

"Yes." Her mother breathed out. The young girl looked up at the sky again. She saw a field of unseen colors start to pop out. She loved how the pink mixed into the yellow to create a glorious orange. She loved how it seemed like the angels above were baking cookies.

Then a thought came to her mind. Why did her mother keep such a beautiful masterpiece away from her?

She looked at her mother once again. She noticed how she looked pained. Her face was almost as pale as the faded clouds.

"Why did you keep this beautiful sight away from me?"

Sighing, her mother started to tell her the tale that had been so afraid to speak itself.

"I first met him in a--"

"Who?"

Her mother said slowly, "Your father."

The girl gazed up. Her mother never talked about her father. Ever. She stayed silent allowing her mother to continue.

"We were so in love that night. The sky looked just like tonight. It was my first real sunset I had seen. It was so breathtaking...."

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His hands swept across the piece of fabric as he took the blindfold off her face. Still closing her eyes, she waited till he told her to open them. She felt hands guide her around. Suddenly they stopped at the perfect place with the perfect view.

Kissing her forehead he said gently, "You can open your eyes."

Slowly she blinked her eyes open. She took a moment to take in her surroundings she looked. They were at the beach. He was standing with his hands in his pockets to the left of her. She looked up. A field of peach, orange, and pink filled her vision.

She peered over at him, speechless. He saw the look in her eyes, which gave it all away. He grinned at her. "Isn't it beautiful?"

She nodded, still no words coming out of her mouth. He watched her stunning eyes look at the beautiful sky. "Do you like it?" He asked softly breaking the silence.

Finally she managed to get some words out. "Oh yes. It's breathtaking! I can't believe how magnificent it is! No wonder you love them," she paused for a second, thinking. "Why do you love them so much?"

"They seem to tell me that there will always be anothr day ahead of me;that I have a reason to live. I can start over with after the day has ended. A reason to do what I want to do. It also lets me think about what could be up there making it the marvelous colors they are. And sometimes I wish I could live up there, happily. That's why I paint them. When I'm painting them, it makes me feel like I'm starting a new beginning that will never end. "

The two lovers treasured that moment, for it was their last sunset they ever saw together.

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"Then what?" The young girl asked curiously.

Blinking back tears, her mother answered, "He completed his beginning."