Jonathan walked into the sunlit kitchen to see Rosie, the housemaid sitting at the table. A few feet away from her was a bassinet with netting draped over it. Rosie seemed busy mixing something up in a clay bowl as Jonathan slowly crossed the room and lowered his hat. Finally she looked up, a small smile.
How are you Mr. Carnahan?
Jonathan placed his hat on the table before shrugging.
I just can't believe she's gone…she was all the family I ever had.
Rosie slowly nodded before eyeing the bassinet.
Your have a niece through.
Jonathan faintly smiled before walking over and looking into the bassinet. There the baby laid, only a few weeks old but resting peacefully.
She's beautiful…
Just then Jonathan lifted his eyes and looked out the back windows that lead into the garden. It was another beautiful sunny morning and birds were singing in the distance.
Is he out back?
Rosie nodded.
Last two weeks since the funeral, he's been spending almost all his time there, he's truly heartbroken.
Aren't we all.
Jonathan mumbled under his breath before stepping outside. There he squinted from the strong beating sun before walking down the small cobblestone path that lead him through what seemed like thousands of wild growing flowers. Finally stopping, he saw Beni kneeling down beside Evelyn's tomb. She had wished to be buried at her home, it was a beautiful place and sat further back in the shade. Taking a second, Jonathan took a deep breath before walking forward.
Beni?
Beni slowly turned around, his eyes raw and tired looking. His face broken and distant. The two of them stared at each other before Beni wiped his face.
What are you doing here? You said you were going back to Europe after the funeral.
Well old boy, looks as through I ran into a little bad luck.
Oh? And what's that?
Well I happened to run into my aunt and uncle there…the ones who own that factory. You know…the ones who are well off.
Beni slowly nodded, giving Jonathan a very uneasy look. He had heard about this couple for years from Evelyn. In fact their grandfather clock inside was a wedding gift from the two.
Well…I spent a few days with them and explained what had happened, they want to send their greatest regrets about not being able to attend the funeral, I guess they have a lot going on.
Beni stood up, his back pressing against the marble of Evelyn's grave. He spent nearly every waking moment out there. Praying and softy talking to his wife. Begging her to return. He remembered all those stories she had told him about Egyptian priests bringing their loves back from the dead. Spells and magic…always joining the lovers together at the end. He wished so badly there was such a thing. In fact he would give his own soul up just to have his Evelyn back. He wasn't sleeping nor eating that much. In fact he tossed and turned at night calling out her name. Waiting to feel her soft hands run across his face.
He hadn't been a good father either. In fact he hadn't even held the baby yet. Rosie understood the hard time he was going through, and tended to all of Azaria's needs. Most of the nights, Beni would bust out crying, curled up in his bed whenever he heard the baby stir a few rooms down. He just couldn't deal with anything now. The pain was still aching, he couldn't get rid of it…not even for a second. Everything reminded him of his Evelyn, most of all their daughter.
Well it seems as through my aunt and uncle were never blessed with any children, but wanted them quite badly…when I explained how bad you were talking Evelyn's death…they offered to take Azaria off your hands.
Beni blinked, he couldn't believe it.
You…you did what?
Jonathan cleared his throat again, he knew he was digging himself into a hole. Finally after a few moments of silence he pointed to Evelyn's grave.
You spend all your time out here, speaking as through she was alive…your in no state to raise a child. In fact we all knew your background, we tried to warn Evelyn to sort of person you were…but she wouldn't listen.
What, a thief…like you?
Jonathan laughed.
Beni you old sport, I'm not trying to pick a fight…we all knew this marriage was a mistake and now what's done is done. For once care about someone else and let your daughter go…give her a life Evelyn would of wanted for her.
What…Evelyn wanted was for me to take care of her.
Which your doing a great job in doing so!
Beni turned away.
Leave me, I never want you in my house again.
Jonathan sorted before turning around.
Well aunt Lucy and uncle Philip are waiting in their car outside…
Beni turned, his eyes cutting through his brother-in-law.
You brought them here?
Just then Beni heard voices inside, before Jonathan could say another world he pushed past him and ran in. Seconds later he stood, breathing hard as watching Rosie watch the couple, confused and unable to say anything. Aunt Lucy was holding the baby as she cried, as Philip took his hat and cane and smiled. Right away they turned and faced Beni.
Sir, I'm sorry…they burst into here…
Beni waved slightly at Rosie.
It's okay…
Beni, how nice it is to see you, when was the last time? The wedding?
Just then Jonathan walked in behind him. Everyone stood in silence for a few moments before Beni eyed the baby.
What are you doing with my baby?
Lucy looked down at the baby who squirmed in her arms and lightly laughed.
Well didn't Jonathan tell you…
What? Bursting into my home and trying to take my daughter away?
Beni please…we understand Evelyn's death has been hard on your, we just think it would be best if we raised the baby. Gave you some time to get your life together…loosing someone is hard, I mean I lost my brother and it took months to get over it.
No, this is different…and I'll never get over loosing my Evelyn, but she wanted me to be with our daughter, and you can't take her away.
Lucy and Philip eyed each other. Finally Lucky stepped forward.
I'm afraid it really isn't your choice…we can give this child a life that Evelyn would of wanted. Beni…you're a different person, you could never.
GIVE HER TO ME!
Beni screamed, right away he watched as Lucy and Philip stepped back, hardly able to speak a word. Jonathan also quickly crossed to room to join them. Just then, Beni reached into his back pocket and took out his pistol. Lucy gasped as Beni raised it.
Put my daughter down, and never show your face around here again…do you understand?
Have you gone mad?
Do it.
After a few moments, Lucy put the baby back down in the bassinet. Joining her husband, the three stared at Beni as he pointed the gun at them.
Ever show your face around here again, or try to take my daughter away…I'll kill you.
Your crazy you know that! Evelyn must be turning in her grave! We told her you were scum…and you would only kill and cheat her!
Seconds later Beni raised the gun and shot into the ceiling. Bits of clay and wood fell down and Rosie jumped. The baby began screaming as Lucy, Jonathan, and Philip dashed out of there.
After hearing their car speed away outside, Beni put his gun back. Rosie looked at him with wide eyes before he crossed over and picked Azaria up. After a few moments he moved her until he felt as if he was supporting her right and slowly paced back and forth. Looking down at her tiny face.
Shhhh, it's okay…
Rosie turned around, muttering something about cleaning up the mess. Beni meanwhile kept holding his daughter, softly telling her that nobody would take her away from him.
Later that night, Beni laid in his bed. Now the bassinet beside him. Putting his arm around it, he looked down and saw the baby was sleeping. Looking around the darkness of the bedroom, he reached for the nightstand and took the framed photograph of Evelyn on their wedding day. Holding it in the moonlight, he danced his fingers across the glass of the photo. His heart aching, he wished he knew what he was doing. It all seemed like too much. Then…He reached for his pistol which laid also on the nightstand.
Looking at Evelyn's photograph, he felt tears began to fall from his eyes. He couldn't escape his pain.
Putting the gun in his mouth, he kept looking at Evelyn. If he just pulled his trigger…he would be with her. The pain would be over with and finally it would end. Holding the gun as more tears came, he then heard Azaria begin to faintly cry. Nearly jumping, he pulled the gun out of his mouth and threw it across the room. The baby began to cry louder.
Sitting there, tears and sweat dripping off him, he knew he couldn't be stupid. He fought to be with his child, and he wouldn't let Evelyn down. Bringing the photograph up, he kissed it, shaking.
I'll see you later…
Nearly dropping the photograph as he rested it on the nightstand, he turned and bent down to his baby.
Shhh…I got you.
Reaching in, he picked the baby up and slowly began to rock it in the darkness.