Love of a Good Woman
Her cell rang, she went to pick up, "Jethro….." she listened, "No worries, I understand. It was only chilli, and it will keep…..love you, and take care."
Eve couldn't settle. Gibbs had been withdrawn again, even more quiet than usual. Eve knew and her heart ached, all she could do was sit, in the loneliness of the house. No, she knew the reason, and for once she took the writing pad from the desk, sat at the table and began to pen.
June 2012,
Shannon
I have to write this, it has been 21yrs since he stood at your grave. Every time he has to attend a funeral, and Mike's was the saddest yet, I see him look and cry a little. You would have been 50 this year, your birthday, the day before mine. I wonder what he thinks. He shuts me out, I leave him be, but if only he could, would talk about you more.
Where is he now? He called, "dead Petty Officer", makes me wonder if they die to get recruits. Tonight he will, when he comes in, retire to the basement, his sanctuary, his domain his own personal space. He will play the tapes you and Kelly recorded. He'll either sleep in the basement, or the couch, he won't come to bed.
Your bedroom, it took a while for me to change…not drastically, slowly, like when he needed new bedding, when the curtains became too faded. Nothing way out Shannon, still the creams and golds, the way you had it. I kept the cross on the wall. I don't mind , I let him remember. I am the the one who lost too, maybe more….I don't mind. The past is past…I just wish sometimes….could forget…no…..put it behind himself. Sorry Shannon you make me remember too…and I shouldn't, John was a soldier we knew the price…..and wee Jon, he had serious medical condition. John and I knew the circumstances….it was you and Kelly who were the unfortunate ones. I'm sorry Shannon….I too have to remember.
Eve.
Eve wiped her eyes, tomorrow she would rip up, as she placed the writing pad back on the desk drawer, and switching off the lights after looking about, made her way to bed.
PS….Shannon…..Eve is the best thing that ever happened to me. She once said find that good woman…I did, her, she is the best thing to come out of a world full of hate. I shouldn't exclude her. I shouldn't shut her out; I'll lose her like I lost you. Shannon, I love you in a different way from Eve. Eve is now, and Kelly is every child I see, as Jon to Eve, but although we have moved on, we don't forget. Shannon, I love you…and tell John, Alice still remembers….she suffers more than me….she didn't have time with her child.
Gibbs.