Many Years Later

Angela

Three kids in total. Isn't that insane. I have 3 kids now. 2 boys and a girl. Johnny, Mark and Annie. Johnny and Mark are identical twins, both 6 years old and they look exactly like their father. While Annie is only 4 years and she looks like me.

Gill isn't doing so well. Actually it has been a roller coaster for him. There are times when his health is better and times when it isn't. Currently right now, he has been hospitalizing for the past seasons now. My husband is sick with a rare disease that no one knows what to do. No one has the proper medicine or tool to help him.

As for me, I am now one season pregnant with our fourth child.

It was a beautiful fall morning, well okay I will admit, it was still a little bit dark outside but the sun is about to rise. The first day of fall was about to begin. I open the door of my kids' bedroom quietly and saw Johnny and Mark up and ready to start the day. "Good morning, mother!" They both said in unison they ran up to me and gave me a big hug.

"Good morning to you too." I said to them both.

"Should we get the usual chores done first?" Mark asked.

I nodded my head yes and then watched them both walk right by me and out the door to get to work. I walked toward Annie's bed. I brushed her brown hair away from her sleeping face and kissed her forehead. "Annie-Bear, it's time to wake up!" I whispered. Annie rubbed her tired eyes, her brown eyes opened as she looked right at me.

"Good morning mommy!" She yawned. "What are we going to do today?"

"First we shall make breakfast for your two brothers."

"Pancakes?"

"Sure!"

Annie got out of bed with excitement and took my hand as we walked toward the kitchen to start baking. I picked her up and placed her on the chair by the kitchen counter then I gather everything I need in order to make pancakes. Today I decided to chocolate chip pancakes.

Once pancakes were done, I placed one plate in front of Annie and the other two plates on the table for Johnny and Mark when the chores are done. I walked back to the counter and grabbed my cup of coffee. I let out a long sigh after one sip. Mmmmm coffee.

"Mother, will I be attending school in spring with Johnny and Mark?" Annie asked. I looked up at her from my coffee cup before placing it down.

"Yes you will be. Are you excited?"

"I can't wait to learn and meet new people! It's so lonely here when you're busy with work, father in the hospital and my brothers at school."

I heard the door open and close as Johnny and Mark came inside. Two baskets full with goodies were placed on counter before they sat down and ate. Once they were done, they thank me for the meal, place the dishes in the sink and then went to their rooms to get ready for school. I put Annie down from the chair as I watched her run into the kids' bedroom to join her brothers. I took Annie's dish into the sink too as I began to clean them.

Once all the dishes were cleaned and the kids were ready, we all left the house. The autumn breeze blew directly at my face; I grabbed Annie's hand and watch Mark and Johnny basically running around and having a blast. We continue to walk until I saw Johnny stop at the entrance of the town gate. He turned around and looked at me with a very concerning look. "Mother, will father be okay?" He asked. "I was really hoping he would be here to say goodbye when I leave for school and to also greet me when I come back."

"He will be fine. I promise you." I told him as I ruffled his blonde hair, "We will go see him after school okay?"

Johnny nod his head; as a signal for "okay mother", as he ran up to catch up with Annie and Mark. Once we got to the dock, I picked up Annie and rested her on my hip to avoid her from playing in the sand. Johnny and Mark both hugged us goodbye; I kissed them on the cheek and wished them good luck and to have a great day of school before they ran off to meet up with Pascal so he can take them to school. I watched as boat disappear from the horizon as I placed Annie down. "Mommy, where are we going now?" She asked.

"We are heading to Town Hall for some work." I replied, taking her hand.

We made our way to the Town Hall; right, I guess I forgot to mention. When Gill was hospitalizing, I would come to Town Hall and do as much as his work as possible. "Mayor" work isn't so bad. I honestly like it better than farming to be honest.

We got inside Town Hall; Annie let go of my hand and went upstairs to the library while I went around the back desk where Gill's desk is and started working.

Gill

I couldn't if this is a dream. Or was it a dream? Am I even dreaming? Or am I just seeing things in my head?

I couldn't feel my body; I can't move from the next door.

I heard sobbing from the right side of my head. I turned my head and saw Angie...my beautiful, amazing wife. Irene must have told her something because Angie was on her knees, her hand covered her angelic face and her shoulders shook. I can tell she is crying.

I want to be by her side. I want to wrap my arms around her and tell her that everything was going to be alright; that I will be okay. And that one day, I'll be released permanently out of this place and we can live happily ever after together. Just her, me and our three kids.

A few hours later

Angela

I stood up and smoothed out the wrinkles on my skirt. Elli was about to do the same thing and then walked toward the door and flipped the sign to let everyone know we are closed. I placed all the paperwork that was done in the filing cabinet and then walked to the coat rack and grabbed my blazer along with Annie's little jacket.

Annie came walking down the stairs with a picture book around her arms. She placed it on the desk and ask if she can borrow it for the rest of the day which Elli replied yes. I wrapped Annie's jacket around her shoulders and she slipped her arms into the armhole.

Annie, Eli and I exit out of the building. Annie ran toward the tree and then back to me while I watched Eli locked the front door. I picked up Annie as we began to walk. Eli examine the view of our town and sighed. "It's hard to believe that this town was once so lively. And now it's nothing but a ghost town." Eli looked at me and smiled "Since you came, this place was so lively. You bought back the Harvest Goddess. You brought life back to this island."

"This time, it's the economy going downhill for this island." I added in. "With our old mayor dead and our new mayor sick."

"Do you think Gill will be okay?" Eli looked at Annie with a concern look "What's going to happen if Gill...you know...?"

"I guess we can close this island up for good and move out somewhere." I stopped walking when Eli stopped. She stood there looking at me frozen with wide eyes.

"What did you just say? You want to give up Gill's dream if he passes away?"

"Eli, Gill's dream is to build a happy successful family too. He wants his kids to be as smart as him, and as powerful as him. So maybe they can run a business or become mayor...or do whatever they dream to do. If Gill passes away, then I'm taking them to the city so they can live closer to school and make friends. And live the life that Gill never had but the one I use to live in myself."

"And how did that turn out for you Angie? You end up giving up that life to come here and farm."

"Then it's their choice. If they want to farm, then they can."

Once we got to the bottom of the staircase, Eli went back to her place while Annie and I went to the Inn to get some food for Gill and the boys.

Gill

"Father!"

My eyes flew open, the bright lights on the pure white ceiling pierce through my eyes. That was a dream...right? I lift up my arms and began to rub my eyes. Yes, I can still move. So it was a dream.

I heard footsteps coming closer and closer. I turned my head and saw Johnny and Mark beside me. They both stare at me with blue eyes that look exactly identical to mine. I slowly tried to sit up, Mark place his arm on my back to support me while Johnny ran to the other side and adjusted the bed upright for me. I grunted in pain but smiled at my two boys. "Thank you." I quietly said. Mark and Johnny were in sat on either side of the beds and look at me with huge smiles on their faces.

"How are you feeling father?" Johnny asked. "Are you feeling any better?"

"I think I'm feeling better. My back really hurts though from laying down all the time." I looked at their crest of their school on Johnny's blazer. "How was school today?"

"Very interesting." Mark beamed. "We learned multiplication and division today in math class."

"And in English, we have to read a book and then do a book report!" Johnny added in. "Not to mention we had a pop quiz for history"

"And a science project to complete." Mark looked at Johnny. "Do you think mother will let us stay in the city overnight to do that project?"

I listened to my two boys talk about school as I stared blankly at the wall in front and thought about life. I've been stuck in this clinic for so long. Almost 3-4 years now. Annie was only a baby. And Johnny and Mark were only 2. I remember every single day they would come see me. When Johnny and Mark started school, the two would come every single day after school and talk about school, sometimes I would even help them with homework.

"Daddy!"

My focus stopped when I heard Annie's little voice. She ran toward me with a huge smile on her face. Mark helped her up and placed her on my lap. Her hazel brown eyes glisten with happiness before she wrapped her arms around me and gave me a hug. Annie reminds me so much of Angie. "Annie, where's mother?" Johnny asked.

"She's out by the staircase talking to Irene." She replied.

Johnny nodded his head and got off the bed to go greet his mother. I sat there as I listen to Annie and Mark talk about their day today. Annie moved off my lap and sat by my side as I pulled the tray table out; Mark grabbed his school book as I helped him with his math homework. 15 minutes later I heard Annie gasp, Mark and I looked and saw Johnny. His face was pale and his eyes were red and puffy as he slowly walked to us with a bag of food. His lips moved but I couldn't hear a word. "Here... the...food." He said slowly and softly. Mark's jaw clenched up as he jumped off the bed and went toward his brother. "Johnny, what's wrong?"

"I-I overheard what Irene told mother."

I can hear Johnny's voice shaking. I looked at the doorway and saw a shadow silhouette reflecting on the door getting larger and larger. Angela stood by the doorway. She uses the sleeve of her dark blue blazer to wipe away her eyes as she looked up at me with her sparkling hazel eyes as she smiled at me. She walked toward me, her wavy brown hair bouncing her she walked toward the bed. Close up her eyes were puffy just like Johnny's. I slowly lift my arm up and rested my hand on her cheek as I swiped the tear away from her eye with my thumb. Angela collapse and fell on my chest and began to cry. I wrapped my arm around her neck, stroking her long wavy brown hair with my fingers. "Don't cry darling." I whispered. "It's not good for the baby."

"I-I-Irene told you aren't going to last long." I heard Angela say in between sobs. "You could die anytime now."

"That is true. Did Jin tell you today is my last day?" Angela looked up at me; tears streaming down her face. I looked at my 3 kids; they all like they are about to cry. "I'm sorry"

"Father! Don't leave us!"

"Why can't you stay strong for us?! Fight hard for us?!"

"Who's going to walk me down the aisle when I get married?"

"Who's going to watch us graduate high school?"

"Who's going to help us with homework when we're stuck?"

Angela stood up and wiped her tears. She looked at our 3 kids and smiled gently. "Your father will be watching over us from above." She quietly responded. "He'll watch every step on the path of life that you will be choosing. He won't be gone forever."

I suddenly felt a pain in my chest. I groaned in pain as it went up to my back. I couldn't feel anything below my hips. "Angela…" I whispered. "Johnny...Mark...Annie...I'm so sorry to be leaving you all so soon in your life."

They all formed a circle surrounding me as I said my final words and final request to every single one of my children. Until my vision went pitch black.

6 years Later

Johnny

"Whenever you can, leave this island. Go to school, study well, follow the path of life that you choose to take. And please take good care of your mother and sister. Goodbye my loves, I love you all and I wish you all the best in life."

That was the last thing I heard from my father before he passed away.

"As you all may know. Gill Hamilton, Mayor of Waffle Island, has passed away." My mother explained on the podium. "His final words were not only said between us family but also to all the residents still living here on Waffle Island. He told us we should all leave this island at once and move to the city...or where ever your heart desire. He wishes everyone to start a new life and to start over. This is the end of an old chapter in life and now it's time to start the new chapter."

That was my mother last speech to the residents here the day of father's funeral. Mother was so proud, so brave and so confident. Even though, she has been hurting really badly due to his passing.

When I was 6 years old, we left the Island to move to the city to our new life as regular people. Mother told us to forget about this place; forget the people we met here and the things we did on this island. The island is now history and abandon.

In the city, we moved into a 4-bedroom place. A room for each of us to live in. Annie, Mark and I all go to the same private school. Rachel, my little sister who is now 6 years old, goes to a public school, But life was about to change once again soon. When Annie told me something, a secret from Mark.

It was a cold winter night, as I watched from his bedroom as he packed everything into his rucksack. Clothes. Food. Books. He looked up at me and sighed. "I know mother said to forget our past...but father said to follow our hearts. I may be young to do this. But this is the path I want to take. I want to complete mother's dream and become a farmer too. It was my childhood. My dream. I can't forget it that easily. Unlike you and Annie. This is a choice my heart desires."

"What did mother say about this?" I asked him.

"I didn't tell her; she'll just go against it anyways." Mark looked at me and sighed. "Just like dad, I will be gone forever. Sunshine Island is on the other side of the country. You might never hear from me again. I know mother won't accept that. Only you and Annie will ever know."

"I understand." I placed my hand on Mark's shoulder. "But at least let us escort you to the train or bus station though."

Mark smiled and nodded his head in agreement. I went to Annie's room and told her to get ready as we are going to the station to say goodbye to Mark. Annie agreed as she grabbed her shoes and jacket and met us at the front door.

We stood outside and began to walk to the station, which was only a 10 minutes walk from home. Luckily mother was out on a late shift at work and Rachel is at a sleepover with her friends. I grabbed hold of Annie's hand as we began to walk. I watched as the cars beside us on the road driving by us. I've gotten so use to this place, I've grown to love my 'new' life now. But I guess that's just me.

The station was close the grave yard where father is. After Mark got his ticket, we went to father's grave stone so Mark can send his final last prayers to him. I looked at him and Annie. I didn't realize Mark was suffering all these years. And now I wonder what is Annie thinking about too. "You know you really did change. Like you did exactly what mom told us to do." Mark's word disturbs my moment of thought. "You use to love farming as a child. And now you are a normal city boy. You pretend this farming life has never happened. I wish I was like you. Even though we are twins."

"I wish you told me...but regardless Mark, I support you in whatever decision you make." I said. "And I'm sure father will be proud too."

"Thank you Johnny" Mark smiled sadly as he looked at both Annie and I. "I guess this is our final goodbyes."

"What should we say to mother?" Annie asked "I'm sure she will be home wondering where we all are."

"Tell her everything. She can't do anything now that I'm gone. I'm sorry for dragging you guys along and putting you in the middle of the situation." Mark looked at me and smiled "Take extra good care of Annie and mother while I'm away. And don't forget to say goodbye to Rachel for me too!"

"You will write to us right?" I asked. Mark handed me a note with the address of his new place. I placed it in my pocket and went in to give him a hug goodbye. "Take care brother. I will miss you."

"I will miss you too. All the best in life."

Mark and I let go of our hug as he went to hug Annie goodbye too. Mark then let go of the embrace and smiled at us one last time before he turned around and started walking toward the path. The late night fog eating up his silhouette.