Heart Sparks: Tiny Stories of Love | ✓

8 • The Rest is Rewritten

I had been holding the button in my palm all day. As they lowered the casket, I pressed.

The angel descended and stood before me. A light glowed from within its white robes. I wiped at the tears rolling down my cheeks but their imprints didn't fade.

"I cannot condemn you for this act," the angel said, "but I will ask again. Are you sure?"

I nodded.

"I will return to collect the tax."

The light from within her brightened, engulfing me in its warmth. As the light faded, the surroundings changed.

I stood at the kitchen sink.

I took careful, slow steps, afraid it was just a dream. The scene didn't dissipate.

I opened the fridge, leftover pasta. The day before had been Tuesday. The coat hanging over the high chair was my defining clue.

I remembered this exact day.

I hadn't spoken kindly to Jeff. It hadn't been a fight, now that I thought about it. It was frustration and he hadn't deserved it. If my memory served right, he would be walking down the hall any moment.

"Hi Annie," I heard Jeff's voice say hesitantly. The shock of seeing him alive made my throat constrict. His eyes were bright, despite his dishevelled appearance. His paisley-patterned blue tie was loose around his neck, a gift from my sister. He ran a hand through the side of his hair.

He was keeping his distance. I couldn't stand it.

"Listen," he began. "I-"

I flung myself into his arms and held on to his shoulder as I sobbed.

His stiffness subsided and he relaxed his arms around me. His hand stroked the back of my head.

He tried to part, to speak, but I still clutched his neck. When we finally did part, he wiped the tears from my cheeks with the pads of his thumbs.

"I didn't mean what I said," I hiccuped. "None of it."

"Hey," he said, alarmed. "It's okay."

He rubbed my back as I calmed and I reached forward to touch his face. He leaned his head against my palm, and smiled.

"How about we go out for dinner today?"

"No!" I said, too quickly.

"No to the dining out then," he chuckled.

"How about we cook something together?" I suggested instead. "Something spontaneous?"

His smile widened.

"I'll pour the wine," he said, leaving a kiss on my temple.