With a plaid wool blanket laid out on-top of the nearby hill, Elena laid back with her arm behind her head, the long grass succumbing her, and looked up upon the evening stars. It was moments such as this that she cherished most; the quiet, peaceful atmosphere of her childhood home in Mystic Falls, Virginia. The crisp, cool air filled her lungs as the fireflies danced across the field in late July.
In the distance, one can hear the gallop of horses in the wind and the bellows of the cattle echoing. Memorized by the clear constellations, she closes her eyes and takes a long deep breath through her nose as the adrenaline from the day regresses through her body.
At the young age of twenty-seven, very few women have felt the pain of loss that Elena has felt. It has been nearly a week since her parents' untimely passing and just mere hours since burying them in the cemetery and whispering the final goodbyes as she places a soft kiss on their caskets.
According to the 10PM News Report, "Grayson Gilbert and wife Miranda, beloved pillars of the community and founding family members of Mystic Falls, died tragically this evening due to an unexpected auto accident. Grayson, 48, and Miranda, 46 were traveling home from an early dinner in celebration of their 28th Wedding Anniversary when their vehicle was struck by an oncoming male driver who was under the influence and drifting to sleep behind the wheel. After witnessing the oncoming car swerve over the centerline of traffic, Grayson, who was driving with his wife in the passenger seat, pulled to the side of the road off of Wickery Bridge. The oncoming vehicle collided with the Gilberts vehicle and rolled into ravine filled of water…"A wave of guilt and pain settled in her stomach as she thought of the numerous amounts of phone calls that were left unanswered as she was waiting for her parents to arrive at their surprise anniversary party at the family ranch. Friends, neighbors, and those of the community were scattered across the farm, waiting for the opportune time to shout "SURPRISE!"; but instead of the white Chevy Tahoe pulling in the driveway at 8PM that night, it was three police cars, one being Sheriff Liz Forbes, Elena's, best friend Caroline's mother, with tears in her eyes.
"Momma! Look! A shooting star!" She was quickly brought out of her reverie and looked toward her beloved son who was lying by her side.
"Yes, it is baby! Make a wish!" Elena exclaimed.
Benjamin quickly glanced up at his mother and then closed his eyes tight whispering to the stars.
Elena's heart was full of love for her child, her son. He was simply a blessing in her life, but an anchor to reality itself.
He was beautiful, just like his father.
"Momma, did you make a wish too?" Ben asked.
"No, sweetheart, I didn't" she then tapped the top of his nose. "I wanted that star to hold all its magic just for you. But I think it's time we should be heading back toward the house and call it a night. I heard Uncle Jeremy is taking you out riding after Church in the morning."
"Yup! I'm so excited! He then told me I get to help him muck the stalls and then learn the ropes of being a handyman!" Ben told his mother.
"Oh, I'm sure he did, he could use a helping hand around here." Elena laughed lightheartedly.
Elena sat up and brought Ben into her arms for a quick hug and then they both stood up to stretch. After folding the blanket up in her arms, she looked toward her son, "Hey Ben? Race you back to the house?" with a mischievous grin played on her face.
Her son's chocolate eyes shown pure excitement and before she knew it, her little five year old boy sprinted down the hill as fast as his little legs could take him toward the house.
She looked up for a brief moment and to thank the heavens for that little boy in her life and then she began to chase after him.
"Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
Guide me safely through the night,
And wake me up with morning light.
Jesus name I pray, Amen."
Elena reached for his navy blue comforter tucking it around him, her motherly instinct instilled.
With a swift kiss on her son's forehead, she whispered in his ear, "Goodnight Ben, I love you so much. Sleep well honey."
"I love you too, Momma." Ben yawned.
Elena looked at her son in admiration as she turned the desk lamp off and walked out of his room shutting his door for the night.
As she walked toward her bedroom, she glanced at the hallway that hung a recent family picture in a rustic frame. Tears started to sting her eyes and she touched the portrait with her fingertips. It was taken just a few weeks ago by Caroline. Elena was outfitted in a soft ivory dress, her mother coral, roughed cowboy boots on their feet. The men dressed in denim jean and button up shirts with their sleeves rolled up a few inches and small amount of white peeking through. Caroline positioned scattered, in a wheat field at dusk, it was simply breathtaking.
She looked toward the staircase as she heard Jeremy trudging up the stairs, still in his black attire from this morning. He spared her a sympathetic smile and a nod and then headed to his bedroom. She glanced back at the photograph; she knew she needed to stay strong for her family, her younger brother and her son.
"God will never give you more than what you can handle Elena, you just need to trust him." kept Elena at ease as she remembered the words from her mother as she walked into her room.
Hi, God. It's me Benjamin. I heard her talking to Aunt Car at the funeral that I have lost so many loved ones for being only six. But I understand that you need angels to help watch over each one of us on Earth. That's why you needed to send my daddy to Heaven when I was born. My Momma says, I look just like a 'spitting image" of him and that's the other reason you needed him in the clouds; "Because you can only have one handsome Davis on Earth at a time." God, could you tell my daddy that he doesn't need to worry about Momma and I? I'm taking good care of her, I promise. Oh, about my wish God, I just thought it's about time Momma needed someone to make her smile like she did in the photo.
Please say hi to my Grandpa and Grandma from me would you? Oh, tell them that I miss them. I know my Momma is trying to be strong for me today but I think she needs to know from you that we are both going to be okay.