Notes: Marge, Serge, Wazuki, Arni Village, and all other characters and locations mentioned in
this story (except for Donna) originally appeared in Chrono Cross, and thus belong to
Squaresoft.

Evening Alone
by Makou


I visited my son's grave today. He drowned a month ago.

I still haven't gotten used to not having him around anymore. Why, just this morning I
went to wake him up because breakfast was ready... He wasn't there, of course. I've kept his
room just as it was, though, with his bed and his toy chest and the collection of komodo scales
on his dresser that he was so proud of. I've kept his crayon drawings on the fridge, too. You
can tell that with a little practice, he could've been a nice artist.

But he isn't here anymore, is he? And he won't come back like he did last time.

When Serge got poisoned by that awful panther and Wazuki and Miguel sailed off with him to
find an antidote, well... I was doing pretty much the same thing I was now. Preparing enough
food for the three of us. Buying new clothes for them when I went to Termina. Nowadays, I'm only
making that mistake regarding Serge. I know for certain that Wazuki is never coming back and
I've known that for a long time. But I wonder what happened to him and Miguel? And how did my
poor little Serge manage to get back to Arni all by himself?

But it doesn't matter now, does it?

I told him never to go to Opassa Beach without an adult! Why didn't he listen to me? He
was such a good boy; he always listened to me! Was it something I did? Was it because our trip
to Guardia had to be postponed? Or was it something I didn't know about? What was it?

By the time anyone noticed he was gone, it was already too late... His body had already
washed up on shore and no amount of first aid or healing elements could ever bring him back. It
was Leena's mother, Donna, that broke the news to me... And I remember thinking for the first
time in my life that I wanted to be dead.

And I still do. I have nothing left anymore. My parents are dead. My husband is dead, for
all I know. And worst of all, my poor little Serge...

I look down and I realize that once again, I made too much food for just myself. Oh well,
maybe I'll just have it for breakfast tomorrow. I don't really feel like cooking again. I turn
away from the pot, pull out a chair and sit down. There were three empty chairs: a few years ago
they would've been for Wazuki, Serge, and a guest if we happened to have one that night. Maybe I
should get rid of a couple of them; I don't think I'll ever have three other people eating
dinner here again.

I feel awfully sleepy...

Thankfully, Donna and Leena have been visiting me on occasion. It's nice to know that I
still matter to some people. Donna was trying to convince me to go find work somewhere in the
village to get my mind off things. It was a nice thought... But what can I do? Homemaking is all
I've ever done.

Leena's growing into quite the young woman. And such a responsible girl! She never, ever
gets into trouble. She and Serge were awfully close... They always played together during the
day. I wonder what their future together would've been like? I would've liked to have her as a
daughter in law one day...

Maybe if she hadn't been sick that day, this never would've happened...

I suppose it wouldn't hurt if I just take a quick nap before the stew's ready, would
it...?

I cross my arms over the table and lay my head down. Before I know it, I'm drifting off.

Do I smell something burning?

Oh, who cares...