Kate stared down into the cradle at a small child. A little baby.
His hair was as black as coal. He wore a blue baby outfit with small yellow ducks printed on it. He gurgled at the sight of Kate and she had to smile. But as she smiled, tears cascaded down her face gently sliding over the dimples in her cheeks.
She bent down and gently retrieved the child from the crib. He started to wail as his small face went bright red.
"Shoosh, shoosh. It's alright there,"
She rocked him from side to side and the crying ceased.
"There you go, huh. That's the way, hey,"
Although the babies' tears stopped, Kate's did not. Seeing that child brought back so many memories, memories that had been hidden away so as not to be found. But it was amazing how one small child could bring back so many memories.
"Have you named him yet?"
Kate unwillingly turned around to confront Tom. She stared him in the eyes. A lifetime of regret rested deep in him and he could never get rid of it.
"Tom, why are you here. You're dead,"
"I'm here Katie, because you won't let me go,"
"What are you talking about?"
Kate couldn't believe she was having this conversation with some one she had seen die. It was just crazy. But as she did, more tears formed and her voice became more hoarse and loud.
"I let you go a long time ago Tom,"
"Really Katie," said Tom in a disbelieving tone.
"What about on the beach, if I could count all the stars, and the plane Katie, the plane! You telling me you're holding onto that for a souvenir,"
Kate stared at Tom, but not in anger, or love. It was in sadness. She remembered the way he liked to let go of things straight away. She did miss him and she still loved him, but she knew that there was no longer a them, it was merely her now. Tom was gone, dead.
"Katie…"
Then she realised, she had to let go.
It was as if Tom could here her thoughts and respond to them.
Thankyou.
Bye Tom.
Bye Katie…
And then he was gone. Just like that. Kate looked down at the child in her arms. He had fallen asleep.
The last bit of Tom that she needed.
The last reminder she would need.
Their son…