Thirteen-year-old Marlene Wallace stood in front of her father's grave,wiping away tears from her eyes.The graveyard was deserted;the gust of wind chilled her bones.Marlene shivered and hugged herself.It sure is cold here.she thought.
Her eyes roved over her father's epitaph.It read:
HERE LIES BARRET WALLACE
AD2739-2783
A GOOD,CARING AND HONEST MAN
WHO NEVER REMARRIED AFTER HIS WIFE DIED
HE TOOK GREAT CARE OF HIS DAUGHTER
BUT ALAS;HE DEPARTED AT 44
She ran her fingers through her tangled,bronze hair as she looked up at the overcast sky.She was now orphaned.She would have to live in an orphanage.Why.why did this have to happen to me?she screamed silently.Why did my father get into an accident?Why?Why?Why??????
"You've grown,Marlene,"a quiet voice behind her said.
Marlene whipped around to find a feminine figure approaching.
"Tifa?"Marlene couldn't believe her eyes.She had never set eyes on Tifa for a long,long time.Her former babysitter,her eyes moist,had a soft,saddened look on her face.
"Yeah,it's me,"Tifa smiled."Look at you.It seems like only yesterday when you were a bubbly four-year-old toddler.Now look at you.You've grown into a tall,elegant girl.Someday you'll grow taller than me."
"I prefer being a toddler.That was when I still had my dad,"Marlene shot back,fighting to keep back her tears."Now he's gone.And I'm all alone."
Tifa put a hand on her shoulder."You're not alone,Marlene.I miss Barret too.Everyone does.He was a good man.I should know.I knew him even before you were born."
Marlene looked at her.Tifa has certainly aged,she thought.Instead of her usual spunky style,she was now a quiet,toned-down person.Her dressing style had also changed.She had graduated from her usual tank-top and mini-skirt to a flowery dress,which she was now wearing.Well,she's aged alot for a 29-year-old,Marlene thought.
"Tifa,besides my dad,has a person close to you ever died?"she asked curiously.
"Yes,my father was killed when I was 15,leaving me an orphan.My mum died when I was a kid.And Aeris died when you were four."Tifa turned away."I don't want to elaborate on how they died."
Marlene's eyes widened in shock."So many people?How did you learn to cope?"
Tifa smiled sadly."At first,when they died,I was devastated.But slowly,as I matured,I learnt that nothing lasts forever.Someday,your loved ones will be separated from you.You have to be strong to survive all this."
Marlene was speechless.
"We come to the world with nothing.We leave the world with nothing.So we can't have anything forever.But,Marlene,even thought your father's body is gone,he will always be there for you,to protect you from danger.He loves you more than the world itself.I can attest to that."
Marlene was amazed at Tifa's wisdom.But something kept worrying her.
"Tifa,will my dad still be with me at the orphanage?"
Tifa's face contorted."Orphanage?What orphanage?"
"The authorities are sending me to an orphanage,since I have no other living relative,"Marlene replied,her words coming out of her mouths like bullet trains.
Tifa stared at her for a few seconds.Then she said,"You're not going to live in an orphanage if I can help it.I'll adopt you,Marlene,don't worry.I can afford to provide for all your needs and wants.You have my word."
Marlene couldn't speak.Happiness welled up in her.Her eyes shined.Her face glowed with a fresh new look.
Tifa sensed what Marlene was thinking."Give me a hug,Mars Bars,"she grinned,spreading her arms.
End