MAP OF THE PROBLEMATIQUE

Chapter 2: Love Through Darkness

(MAY cont'd)

"Mrs. Burton?"

"Yes? Yes, that-- that's me."

He removed his hat and motioned for me to sit next to him. The station was bustling with activity.

"Hi, I'm Detective Elliott Bellamy," he extended his hand, and I took it. "Would.... would you rathar wait for your husband?"
"Oh, he's not in the picture," I shook my head. "She was why he left."
"Oh. I-- I'm so sorry."

"It's nothing, please. Now, about my girl."

"Yes, yes. Now, I know you've already gone over this briefly with Officer Davis, but let's go over some details. Her name is Olivia?"

"Uh-- no, Lydia," I enunciated the name, then spelled it. "Lydia Josephine Burton."

"Ah, Lydia. Gotcha. Sorry 'bout that." He scratched out Olivia and wrote in her full name above it, then looked back up at me. "Date of birth?"

"March 17, 2070."

"Oh, Saint Patrick's Day." Detective Bellamy cracked a small smile.

"Yes, we..... we had Irish themed birthday parties. She was infatuated with the idea that her birthday was also 'Ireland Day.' She loved those parties....." I pulled a handful of pictures of her from my purse, the topmost one being of her most recent birthday only two months earlier. She grinned above a big chocolate cake with a number five-shaped candle on top. Tears spilled over my eyes and I began to shake. "Oh, my baby......"

"Ma'am....." Detective Bellamy took my hand, and I looked up at him, crying. "I can personally guarantee you that we will do everything within our power to get Lydia back. We have every available detective working this case, and believe me, that's alot of detectives."

I nodded, squeezing his hand. "I trust you, I trust the police to do exactly as you've said. I just..... I just want her back. I miss her so much," I cried.

"I know, Mrs. Burton. I know."

JUNE

"Hush now baby, don't you cry; rest your wings, my butterfly. Peace will come to you in time, and I will sing this lullaby. Know though I must leave, my child, that I would stay here by your side. And if you wake before I'm gone, remember this sweet lullaby.

"And all love through darkness; don't you ever stop believing. With love forlorn, with love you'll find your way, my love. The world has turned the day to dark; I leave this night with heavy heart. When I return to dry your eyes, I will sing this lullaby. Yes, I will sing this lullaby....."

My daughter's pictures adorned the living room of my mother's house, and flowers had been set out with her school picture and her favorite teddy. A beautiful plaque had been set out for her, with her name scrawled across.

It wasn't necessarily a memorial service, but it certainly felt like it.

I couldn't feel my legs as I forced them to move through the clusters of people in dark clothing that had gathered in the living room, and I knew every face. My father sat in the corner, looking empty, with his arms around my sobbing mother. Sallie, my sister, older by only two years, had a plate of food and was talking to our neighbour. Her eyes were still pink, and her voice was sore. "My sweet little niece....."

Hope wanes like the tides for some, and on that day, the tides were out.

AUGUST

It's quitet. The trees rise to greet the clouds, and the fields of headstones stretch out in front of me. I look down to find my white prarie skirt stained with green, and my bare feet covered in matching stains of grass and mud.

She's here. I can feel her.

"Imba wimbo wa upepo.... Mommy?"

I turn to her voice to find myself still alone.

"Mommy, please....."

Willing my feet to move, I make my way through the rows of headstones, following her voice as it drifts on a cool breeze that causes my raven hair to dance across my face. I push it back.

"This way, Mommy.... here....."

My little girl sits atop a headstone, her dress waving. Her dark hair is a mess, and her blue eyes are stained with tears.

"Baby? Oh, baby...."

"I tried to call for you, Mommy."

I was struck by her words. My throat closed in on me and I choked when I tried to speak.

"Honey, I--"

"It was dark. I was so scared," she gave a little sob as I felt teardrops hit my hand. "Why couldn't you hear me, Mommy?"

"Lydia.... Lydia, sweetie....." I fell to my knees in front of her as she slid off the headstone, displaying the epitaph chisled on its elegant face:

LYDIA JOSEPHINE BURTON

BELOVED DAUGHTER

AND GRANDDAUGHTER

MARCH 17, 2070 -- AUGUST 1, 2075

My heart caught in my throat. No. No, God, no. I looked back up into the face of my daughter and watched it rot to nothing before my eyes.

"YOU WEREN'T THERE FOR ME, MOMMY!!"

I screamed.

I jolted awake to find my scream had been real, and I was in a cold sweat, breathing hard. "Oh, God....." I put a hand to my face, feeling tears. Shuffling to the kitchen, I poured myself a glass of water and downed it in seconds. These dreams were becoming all-too-freequent. I longed for release.... I longed for my daughter back. It had all but consumed me, and I hated the selfish thoughts I had of craving a break.

When I passed Lydia's room on the way back, I opened the door for the first time since the day she was taken. The book I read to her the night she disappeared still lay on the floor and the smell of her shampoo still lingered on her pillow. Tears welled up in my eyes, and I gave a sob. I couldn't control it any longer. The tears flooded my eyes and fell to the bed as I collapsed, singing her song to ease my lonliness and bring my baby back to me.

"Imba wimbo wa upepo, wakati unajuwa na; imba wimbo wa upepo, wakati ndoto tamu......"

I sang the entire song before becoming drowsy; when I finally drifted away, I slept so soundly that I didn't even hear the thunderstorm raging outside.

----------

Music: The song sung at Lydia's service is "Lullaby" by Josh Groban and Ladysmith Black Mambazo. You seriously need to look this song up on YouTube or iTunes; I bawled my eyes out the first time I heard it. It's GORGEOUS. :D The title of the chapter is taken from the song.