Total pages in book: 160
Estimated words: 164263 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 821(@200wpm)___ 657(@250wpm)___ 548(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 164263 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 821(@200wpm)___ 657(@250wpm)___ 548(@300wpm)
I watch the red flames blaze high as they burn the paper. Weeks of work from my legal team goes up in flames.
I sip my wine as the red glow lights my face, her heart really is the only thing worth value and if I lose that, I have nothing.
“I choose to trust you too.” I watch it burn. “For better or worse.”
ALORA
I stare at the headstone.
Angelique Prescott
Loving wife, beloved mother.
Forever in our hearts
Edward carefully places the bunch of pink roses into the vase and wipes the headstone. He makes a cross symbol across his chest with his finger as if having done this a thousand times before.
We are in the meadow across the hill and over the stream, there, beneath more oak trees is a family cemetery. Surrounded by an ornate iron fence, climbing roses grow over statues, there’s a large circular water feature made from white marble with lilies floating on top of the water, surrounded by perfectly kept lawns. Old tombstones are in lines, Prescott after Prescott, and I try to imagine the people who are buried here.
Edward’s ancestors, every single one of them.
And it’s one thing to visit your mother’s grave, but for her to be buried in the grounds of her own house is something else. In one way, it’s comforting that she’s close. In another way, it’s a constant reminder that she isn’t above the ground anymore.
That she lies here…. Her life in the past.
A distant memory of love that echoes in the wind.
Edward stares at the tombstone with his hands in his pockets, his face void of emotion. He doesn’t introduce me. He doesn’t seem happy; in fact, we only came here to say goodbye to her before we leave for home.
I wonder does he do this every visit. Come to see her only before he leaves. I get the feeling that he does, but then I may be misreading the situation.
I do know that this week after our engagement I have missed my mother more than I have in a long time. She should be here celebrating with us, helping plan a wedding. Sharing in my joy, and I wonder if he feels the same.
He holds his hand out for me. “Come.” I take his hand and we turn and begin to head back to the house. His mood is somber and I glance back at the tombstone of his mother.
Goodbye, Mrs. Prescott, I promise to take care of him.
“Goodbye.” I hug Harold, and then Charlotte.
“Goodbye.” They smile and wave as I get into the car. I watch through the car window as Edward says goodbye to them; his father holds him close for an extended time and tears up. He wipes his eyes as he pulls out of the hug. Edward then turns to Charlotte and she does the same.
Goodbyes are never easy, but for some reason when the matriarch of the family has passed…. It seems harder. Leaving a parent alone isn’t something that anyone does by choice. With Edward being so busy at work, I don’t imagine that he checks in enough; that’s just an assumption of course, but going off their reaction to him leaving I think it’s a fair guess.
Edward climbs into the car and forces a smile and wave as the car pulls away, he takes my hand in his and then looks out of the window as if also saddened.
It hurts to say goodbye to parents, to see their face as they try to act brave, especially when you know that leaving is your choice.
He doesn’t say a word all the way to the airport and I don’t try to chat or change the subject because I know that sometimes you just need to sit in your guilt for a while.
Feel the distance between the people you care for grow greater with every mile that you drive away.
His stance is sad as he stares out the window, my hand is on his thick quad, held tightly in his. “It was a wonderful week, thank you for bringing me to meet them.” I smile.
“It was.” He nods. “Thank you for coming.”
The car pulls up on the tarmac beside the plane, it’s raining now and our driver produces a black umbrella and holds it over us as we climb out of the car. “Thank you.” Edward takes it from him and holds it above as he leads me up the stairs. I watch my step closely, always so scared that I’m going to trip and fall over while everyone watches.
“Hello.” The captain smiles and shakes his hand, he turns to me. “Hello, Miss Sorenson.”
“Hello.” I smile. I’m just busting for someone to see my ring; I desperately want to scream it from the rooftops. I have news, big news. The best news that I could have to tell you.