(14) Return Home
A week later: Ardeth stands by the ramp to the ship that will be returning him home. He watches carefully as the sarcophagus of Amen-Ra is loaded carefully. This time his love sleeps inside peacefully. With him, Evie and Rick watches, noticing the still haunted look he wears. The past week was hell as they tried to get him to eat. He seemed listless and was so depressed by grief could barely move. Finally he decided it was best she be returned to her home and his.
As the passengers begin to board Ardeth turns to his friends. "Thank you Evie and O'Connell. You have given my wife so much happiness. At least her final days were filled with love. Thank you my friends." Evie reached over and hugged him, surprised how Ardeth squeezed her tightly in return. Not an emotional man, his suffering was obvious. "We are always here for you Ardeth. Visit us anytime." Rick clapped him on his shoulder, causing Ardeth to look up. Their eyes met and Ardeth saw that Rick understood what he was going through. He, himself had felt the agony when Evie had died. However, unlike that incidence, Amen- Ra was not coming back.
The boat horn whistled and Ardeth separated himself from his friends and walked up the plank onto the boat. Standing at the railing he waved and then went to sit with his wife's sarcophagus. In the darkness he allowed his tears to fall as he stroked the necklace around his neck that she gave him.
THE END
A week later: Ardeth stands by the ramp to the ship that will be returning him home. He watches carefully as the sarcophagus of Amen-Ra is loaded carefully. This time his love sleeps inside peacefully. With him, Evie and Rick watches, noticing the still haunted look he wears. The past week was hell as they tried to get him to eat. He seemed listless and was so depressed by grief could barely move. Finally he decided it was best she be returned to her home and his.
As the passengers begin to board Ardeth turns to his friends. "Thank you Evie and O'Connell. You have given my wife so much happiness. At least her final days were filled with love. Thank you my friends." Evie reached over and hugged him, surprised how Ardeth squeezed her tightly in return. Not an emotional man, his suffering was obvious. "We are always here for you Ardeth. Visit us anytime." Rick clapped him on his shoulder, causing Ardeth to look up. Their eyes met and Ardeth saw that Rick understood what he was going through. He, himself had felt the agony when Evie had died. However, unlike that incidence, Amen- Ra was not coming back.
The boat horn whistled and Ardeth separated himself from his friends and walked up the plank onto the boat. Standing at the railing he waved and then went to sit with his wife's sarcophagus. In the darkness he allowed his tears to fall as he stroked the necklace around his neck that she gave him.
THE END
