Harsh wind pushed at his back urging him not to linger among the familiar headstones. Gomez pulled his wool coat tighter around him, the chill of the wind already making his arthritic bones ache. Another fierce gush of wind made him lose his footing, but a firm hand at his elbow kept him from tumbling to the ground. Gently, he patted his daughter's hand and she replied with a quick squeeze.
"I'll light you a fire as soon as we get in." He heard her say just loud enough so that he could hear her above the howling wind.
A soft light was guiding them to the conservatory, the rest of the house lay hidden in the shadows. He studied the outlines of the plants against the glass, marveling at how wild they could grow in such a tame place. It wasn't often that he looked at his home aglow from the outside. He seemed to be a creature of the day now, leaving the night only for his dreams.
As they reached the door, he couldn't help but turn and look back at the cemetery. The smell of newly dug earth rode on the wind and filled his lungs once again. Moonlight kissed the marble statues, reminding those that lay beneath that they were not forgotten even in darkness. Gomez reminded himself that the new headstone would be delivered within the next few days, so his dear friend would not go long without one.
"Come along." Wednesday wrapped her arm around his shoulder and ushered him inside.
Fragrant rose blossoms quickly replaced the smell of earth and he sighed at the familiarity.
"I'll trim those tomorrow before I leave." Wednesday called out as she took their coats to the front closet. He could hear the click of the lightswitches as she moved through the house until she made her way back to him.
Gomez was touching some of the fatter blooms, admiring the teasingly velvet touch of their crimson petals.
"Leave them." He sighed as he bent to rub his face in one of the roses. For a moment he swore he smelled more than the flowers, that french perfume lingered in the air. As quickly as he thought it, it was gone. He lifted his head and smiled at his daughter, who was assessing the state of the overgrown daisy bed.
"I think I'd like to stay in the living room for a while."
Wednesday nodded and turned to start the fire. Gomez slowly followed her out, stopping at the light switch. For a moment he expected to feel the spines of a strangling plant wrap around his arm. His hand lingered just a moment as he surveyed the room. He always watched as a room went from lit to unlit, hoping he would catch a glimpse of something he may not have been able to see in such blinding brightness. Full of hope, he flicked the switch and was embraced by the dark.
Wednesday was on her knees in front of the young flames, encouraging them to grow. As Gomez crossed the threshold, she stood up and moved his chair closer to the warmth. To her surprise, he walked past her to his little side table. It was cluttered with newspapers, loose cigars, and his reading glasses. Sitting on top of the mess was an old bowler hat. Gomez simply stared at the hat for a moment. It looked well loved, the color was faded in some spots and the rim was worn and pilling. With one hand Gomez lifted the hat and clutched it to his chest. He turned, glancing at the wicker peacock chair as he passed by it. Wednesday watched as her father cleared a space on the dust covered mantle and lovingly set the hat down.
"That's a good spot." She stated as she placed a hand on his shoulder. He nodded and sat in his chair, his eyes still on the hat.
He could feel his daughter's stare burning through him, but he wasn't in the mood to talk.
"I'll be alright. You can head to bed." He reached for her blindly, happy when she grabbed his hand and squeezed.
"Goodnight." she said softly as she made her way to the stairs, her fingers gently caressing the arm of the wicker chair as she passed.
Gomez closed his eyes for a moment, enjoying the warmth of the fire on his face. The creak of the wood succumbing to the heat, made him glance towards the dust covered box near the telephone. Sighing in disappointment, he glanced around the room watching as shadows brought new life to the stillness that surrounded him. The light danced on the yellowed keys of the harpsichord, making him long for the dreary notes that once filled the house. Chess pieces, unmoved from their last unfinished game cast looming shadows over the walls. The fire cracked and popped, reminding him of all the explosions that once shook the house to its foundation. The low hum of the flames resembled the comforting purr that he so often missed. The house seemed so eerily quiet now. Even with Wednesday visiting it was too quiet. Once a wonderful duet of voices and laughing would echo from strange corners of the house and fill his ears, but alone his daughter was silent.
Once again he closed his eyes. Taking in a deep breath, he let the smell of woody smoke surround him. He smiled to himself as he remembered all the food and potions that would usually accompany the scent of such a fire. He even missed the particular smell of the cauldron whose permanent residence was in flames.
"Ah Querida," Gomez whispered under his breath as his hand dug into his breast pocket. Taking out a black handkerchief, he carefully unfolded it until it revealed an ebony curl tied with a satin ribbon. Stroking the hair with the pad of his index finger, he began to let the tears fall from his tired eyes. "Tell Itt, I'll miss him."
Gomez stared at the bowler hat before glancing back down to the lock of precious dark hair.
"I miss all of you." he admitted to the cold silence.