A.N: Here I go, apologising again…I'm so sorry for the late update! After finishing Chapter 7, I had a few days of 'what now?' Those, however, are over and I'm now happy to say that I'm launching back into this story. Thanks for the patience! Especially my dear reviewers! They are so special to me!
Chapter 8:
As the sun rose slowly above the horizon, it's first rays shone down upon a lone figure in the graveyard. He was kneeling between two headstones, one hand placed lovingly on each, eyes staring ahead, unfocussed. His expressionless face, unmoving, blank. Even as he was bathed in sunlight, still he knelt.
Everything was motionless.
It had been years; five to be precise since the deaths of this mans loved ones.
Yet, the sun rose each day; a sure sign that life on this planet continued on, even when two lights had snuffed out.
The man moved. His face turned slightly, his eyes focussing on the smallest stone before him.
His expression softened slightly, the corner of his mouth twitching, longing to break into a smile. Its wish was granted, if only for a second, as the man reached toward the name carved upon the stone and his mouth curved into a saddened smile.
His fingers traced the letters of the first name – L – u – c – a.
It was the grave of his son. A child that never even drew breath in this world before moving on to the world beyond.
His hand then reached to the other stone, the larger one. His fingers then did the same as the others had done. However, they followed a different path.
S – o – l – a – n – a.
"The light of my life," the man spoke softly, his words falling as a mist, briefly appearing as a cloud before melting away.
This was the grave of his wife, his dear heart.
His look should have been one of immense sadness, pain, grief, and suffering. He should have been upon his knees, with his head in his hands, crying bitter tears.
But he was not.
The man was sitting there, a smile growing upon his worn features at each passing minute. A smile of acceptance; a smile of peace.
It was the face of a man whom had moved on. He was over the deaths of his dearly loved ones, and was beginning again in a life filled with possibilities.
Joseph Luca Romero had once again planted his feet firmly upon the path he was meant to follow. He was once again holding the flame of life in his hand, with his eyes set to the horizon.
He was ready to begin the journey again.
OoOoOoOo
The years leading to the moment in the graveyard were difficult for Joseph. He suffered immensely from the loss of his family, so much so that he pushed all those around him away.
Carlo was still his true friend. He wouldn't allow himself to be pushed away from Joseph; they had been through too much together. So he was the only one Joseph ever saw now, all the others had drifted into the darkness that surrounded him.
Joseph had seen it coming. He had seen the emptiness and tragedy, the pain…but he knew he couldn't stop it. For once in his life he allowed himself to be swallowed in it, to be engulfed.
For three and a half years, Joseph suffered from depression.
A long time for some, short for others. For a man like Joseph, one who preached hope, love and life, it was the longest time of darkness in his life.
But now he was moving on. He was wiser from it all, and ready to once again help others in this world. He was ready to be the carrier of light, to allow God to grow in his life again. He was ready to be the man his mother, Isabel, had wanted: Joseph Luca Romero.
Joseph knew, of course, that he would always feel the pain when looking back to the life he had lived with Solana by his side. He would always feel the great sense of loss at her passing, but instead of dwelling on it, now he could look back with acceptance. He would no longer dwell on his loss.
No…now he would look to what he could gain. He knew he would now be stronger…he would be fine now.
"Use it, " Joseph would constantly tell himself when he began to dwell on it again.
He would use his experience, his past pain, to counsel those who were going through what he had. And that is where Joseph was now, at a local community counselling service that aimed at helping youth.
He was using his experience to help those younger than him that needed guidance and encouragement, and showing them through his compassion that life isn't all that bad. The young people were what he now lived for; they were the ones he carried the light for, so that it would shine in the darkness when all their lights had gone out.
And it was obvious that he was appreciated by all. He had made himself a friend to all of them, and a guide through their lives that were full of death and despair.
Joseph had first noticed the change in his life when he was walking home through the city gardens. He was walking up a path, slowly, dragging his feet, when he felt himself lighten considerably. He raised his head, taken aback by this sudden change in his spirit.
Looking about, he saw the sun streaming through the trees, pushing the darkness away. The sight amazed him as it was mid winter and the day had been cold and grey.
But here was the sun, pushing its way through the clouds, just before it fell below the horizon, and immersing the dark forested area Joseph was walking through in intense light. Joseph couldn't help but be lightened, be lifted up from his constant companion of despair. There was hope after all!
"The light shall shine brightly, piercing the darkness, and scattering it before swallowing it up in its glory," Joseph whispered, the words leaving his lips before the thought even formed.
This was a truly glorious moment to behold!
Joseph Luca Romero knew that from this day on, he would be a changed man. No longer would he walk hand in hand with despair and depression, he would now walk with light and hope.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, and the darkness crept back into the forest, Joseph was seen with a new bounce to his step, a new lightness of spirit. And although the sun no longer shone, his face was still aglow with such brilliance that it seemed even the forest gloom fled from his sight.
Isabel's son was back, stronger than ever before.
OoOoOoOo
"Hey Joe!" a voice called out, snapping Joseph from his silent contemplation of the form placed before him.
"Yes?" he answered, his face warm but expressionless, the lifted eyebrow the only sign of his curiosity of such a call.
"There's something here for you from the Genovian embassy," the secretary replied, walking through the door and placing the prim envelope before him.
A frown creased his forehead as he reached out his hand and lifted the small white surprise from the desktop. Looking up and nodding at the secretary, Joseph showed his thanks and his dismissal.
Once alone in his office, Joseph opened the letter and began to read.
Dear Sir,
It has recently been called to my attention that the Royal Genovian Palace requires a personal translator for His Majesty, King Rupert. The current translator has only recently submitted his resignation.
We have been told, by numerous sources, that your expertise in this matter would be very much appreciated. Your level of achievement in such a large range of languages holds you high above the other possible men for the job, and your experience in translating for a range of dignitaries across the globe demands acknowledgement.
Therefore I am pleased to extend my request that we meet to discuss this opportunity further. I realise I have only very briefly covered this matter, but if we were to meet, I would be able to answer any question you may have.
I have also been informed that you have not been translating for a couple of years now but I'm sure you can easily swing back into it! An important member of our security team has recommended you most highly and has enlightened us of your experience from even an early age. Apparently you are quite knowledgeable in security yourself!
I look forward to hearing your reply, and ask that you consider this most deeply. I promise you I will be at your disposal.
Yours Sincerely,
Derek Taylor.
Joseph read the letter again. And again. In fact, Joseph sat and reread the letter numerous times, contemplating exactly what it could mean.
Where had this come from? Was it worth investigating? It was the offer of a lifetime…even if he was just translating; he would still be needed constantly in such a dynamic country as Genovia.
"This is definitely worth a shot!" Joseph murmured, reaching for the phone and dialling the number at the bottom of the letter. Mr Taylor better be prepared for a thorough questioning.
'Hmm…I could live in Genovia…' Joseph thought to himself as the phone was dialling through.
Who knows what could happen?
A.N: Ah…and here we have his reason for going to Genovia…Ten points to the person who can tell me who it was from the Genovian Security team that recommended Joseph!