THE EMPTY CHAIR
By Pegbronco
He sat on the porch and slowly rocked back and forth in one of the matching chairs. His left hand resting on the arm of the chair next to him. He looked out across the yard to the sea.
They had finally found and bought that house together just two short years earlier. It was filled with times of joy, laughter, and love. Now filled with unsettling quiet, sorrow, and emptiness.
"See that garden? It was just a weed patch the first year," he softly said out loud to no-one.
"He got mad at me when I laughed at him when he said it was going to be a blooming fence."
The first year he had tenderly worked the ground and planted the small row of twigs. Gently fastening the tender limbs to the small picket fence.
The small twig of a tree had been carefully planted in the middle of the yard. Remembering the first storm nearly toppling it over. He had gone out and strung up support lines and came in muddy from head to toe. I couldn't help but laugh.
"I miss you buddy. More then my heart can stand." Softly said. His thumb caressed the chair arm next to him.
He was quiet, smart and the best damn cop on the force. And he could brighten up a room with his voice as he strummed the guitar or tickled the ivory keys. The hundred watt smile would beam as he played.
It was late fall when the news was told. The time would be short. Fill it with all the love possible.
The days went by to quick. Soon the weeks were used and the months were gone. But they were filled with love and devotion. A universe full of tender touches that only their heart and souls could share.
His last moments were of being held tenderly in his partner's arms. His last breath, that of 'I love you'. The golden lashes closed over blue eyes for the last time. His last heart beat thundered into the man holding him to his breast.
"I love you. But soon we'll be together." Sorrow overwhelmed him. Half his heart now gone from him. His soul screamed out to be rejoined.
He sat and slowly rocked. Looking out to the sea.
END