AUTHOR'S NOTE: It's been a long time since I last posted a story and this is a complete 180 from my last one which was a Silent Hill blood and gutter. Still, I hope you can enjoy what I have written, anyway, Enough with the chat. We have a story to tell. I warn you, this chapter is a little depressing.
Chapter 1: Be it Ever so Humble.
The warm sea breeze whipped around his face and clothing as the small ship sailed along the waters. It had been four years since he had been home. Seven very long years from what was only meant to be a few months. He had left Oak Rest Farm to see family in the city. He was hooked by the bright lights, the sounds, the people. He wrote home to his mother and father, telling them that he was coming home to gather his things then returning to the city. His mother was not happy at all. His father came from the city and he was unsure of his father's feelings.
"Will you be happy there?" His father, Jack, had asked him.
"Yes" Leo had replied.
"Then I won't stop you. But remember, you have a home here too."
Leo never forgot about Mineral Village. It was a magical place, yes, but his heart just wasn't there. He had written his family often. They spoke of many things: The weather, friends, family, work (Leo had been hired on by a communications company and was making a fine hourly wage), sports, and the novels his mother, Mary, had written or was writing.
When it came to story telling his mother was a master. Leo had always held a silent respect for her. Mary had an obsession for books. In fact, Leo would joke about how his parent's bedroom could easily double as the village's second library. His father had once said that Mary's book lust was one of the reasons that he fell so in love with her.
Leo was now twenty-four years old and had yet to find such a joy as true love. He had always wanted such a relationship since his childhood, but it always seemed to be out of his grasp. Oh sure, he had dated just as much as the nest guy, but just couldn't seem to get that final prize. Leo was beginning to wonder if the whole thing was pointless.
The shore line of Mineral Village came into view and a wave of memories hit him so fast that it could have sunk the boat. He remembered coming home from work and getting the mail. He saw the letter from home, but never thought twice. He tossed it on the kitchen table and proceeded to make himself a turkey sandwich. He was hungry. Leo sat in front of the TV for awhile, un-winding before he got to the letters. One was a bill, two were junk (trashcan), one was a request of jury duty (also trashcan), and the last was from his father.
Dear Son;
I am sorry that I have not written to you sooner and I do hope you haven't worried. Some very personal matters have come up. I didn't want to mention this in my past letters because I didn't want to worry you. Now I wish that I had to soften the blow you are about to receive.
Your mother had taken sick a month ago. It started out as a mere cold, but worsened quickly. It became so bad that she could no longer rise from bed. Yesterday, she passed on. I am sorry to bring this news to you. Your mother loved you very much and wished you only happiness. She is in a better place now. Stay strong. I will write again soon. As of now, I just can't bring myself to go on.
With all the love in my heart,
Father.
The end of the letter had been stained with tears partly his fathers and partly his own. If only he could have been there for her to hold her hand or something. Leo wanted to leave that minute, but had no way to. He managed to get a ride on the little dingy that shipped supplies from the mainland to the island, but that wouldn't be for another week. Leo wrote him to his father telling him that he would come home very soon and that he loved him. Two days letter he got a reply, but not from Jack. After the passing of his father, Harris had been elected as the new Mayor of the village and it was he who wrote the note.
Dear Leo;
I know this is the last thing you need to hear now, but I must tell you. Your father has passed on. He was a good man and a personal friend. I wish you the best. The towns people have put together a small sum of money for you to help. There will be a double funeral for both Jack and Mary. We wish you to come.
I am sorry again for being the bringer of bad news.
Yours truly,
Mayor of Mineral Village, Harris.
Leo stepped off the boat and onto the beach. Gulls called over head and the hypnotic sound of waves crashing on the shore like greeted his ears. Nothing had seem to change. It was a slow walk to the old homestead and he was stopped once or twice by villagers offering their condolences. Leo politely thanked them and moved on.
He arrived at home. The fields where a bit of a mess, but he expected as much. His father was probably not in the mood for farming when he was watching the love of his life die before him. The sight brought the tears back to his eyes again. He quickly moved into the home, unable to stand any more tears. In inside was messy, but the same. It seemed that no more work had been done in the past few years.
The tears wanted to come again so Leo distracted himself by cleaning. He needed to move his hands and keep busy. It was in this action that he did stumble upon a book. Now there were many books here, but this one stood out. It was laying open on the floor by the dresser. He instantly recognized his mother's handwriting. He read what was written.
Spring 15
I can't remember ever being so happy in my entire life. Out of all of the women in this village, he fell in love with me. It seems so much like one of my fairy tales that I have to keep reminding myself that it is real. I feel so giddy with joy. Mother offered me her old wedding dress and it is just the most beautiful item I have ever beheld. I was speechless. To think, this time next week I will be Misses Jack-
Leo shut the book. It wasn't one of his mom's stories. This was her diary, a plain black book that was so ordinary that his eyes must have passed it up on the bookshelf millions of times. He opened it to the first page, his eyes just looking, but not reading. The window to his mother's soul was in his hands and it started before she was mother. It started when she was just Mary.
He sat on the edge of what once was his parent's bed. He had some time before the funeral and he was not in the mood to chit-chat with the townsmen at the time. He wasn't prepared for that. That would make things too final. Leo wanted to read the book, but even if he didn't, nothing could have stopped him now. He rested his eyes on the first words and begin to read as the voice of his mother, the voice of Mary, narrated……..
TO BE CONTINUED
