Memories
charminghay@aol.com
Leo sat quietly in complete solitude, a small smile on his
face as he twisted a gold chain around his fingers. He felt each link, running his thumb over the smoothness before
reaching a small locket that hung off the chain and rested on the back of his
hand. It matched perfectly, with a
small diamond in the middle, surrounded by a fine engraved design. Despite his smile, a single tear trailed
down Leo's left cheek, falling down and dropping to his arm. He made no attempt to wipe it away, his attention
focussed on the little piece of history that he held in his hand.
Turning the locket over in his fingers, he held it up to the
light; staring at the single small love heart that he had had engraved on the
back. He hadn't wanted words to limit the
depth of his love, so he had chosen a delicate heart and then given Piper the
locket as a symbol of his eternal and all encompassing love.
He could remember the night he had given it to her; it was
so fresh in his memory, it could have happened yesterday.
"This is for you Piper." He said simply, drawing a small box from his
pocket and placing in her palm.
"A gift?"
Piper questioned grinning, leaning over to place a tender kiss on his
lips before opening it. "Thank
you." She added, turning her gaze
to the blue velvet box and drawing it open.
A gasp escaped her throat as she lifted it out, hanging it over her
fingers and lifting it to eye level.
"It's beautiful Leo."
"Look on the back." He smiled, gently trailing his hand over her forearm.
Turning it over, Piper drew in a deep breath, staring at
the heart for a few seconds before turning to meet Leo's gaze, her eyes filled
with tears. "It's perfect. I love it."
Leo smiled and stood, taking the chain and clasping it
around Piper's neck. "And I love
you." He whispered, placing a kiss
on her forehead before returning to his seat.
"I love you too." She replied, intertwining her fingers with his.
"I still love you Piper. I'll never stop loving you." Leo whispered into the silence of the night, drawing the locket
to his lips and kissing it.
He curled up in bed, the chain twisted over his wrist and
palm and hugged tightly to his chest.
His dreams were filled with images of his wife. The endless hours they'd spent together and
the voice he still heard every day when he went about his life. She may have left this earth before him, but
the lessons she'd taught him about love and living would never leave. Every word would continue to have impact and
every memory would grow stronger and more important. Because one day…they would meet again.
"The tide
recedes, but leaves behind bright seashells on the sand.
The sun goes down,
but gentle warmth still lingers on the land.
The music stops, and
yet echoes on in sweet refrain...
For every joy that
passes, something beautiful remains..." - Author Unknown
