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“It did. I forget how many years.”
“So, you’re the only person who knows about this place? Why did she tell you and no one else?”
“She didn’t. It’s a long story. But I’ll tell you anyway. My dad knew she was coming here. But my siblings and I didn’t. Her being gone for hours at a time with no explanation didn’t bother them like it did me. I thought she was unhappy. We’ve always been a close family and I didn’t want my whole life to fall apart. I didn’t want to lose my mom. Or my dad. You know what I mean. So, I couldn’t understand my father’s ignorance of her absence. Of course he knew where she was going so it didn’t bother him. He never did tell me. One day, I decided to follow her and wound up here. Shortly after I discovered this place they died. Ever since, I’ve come here every day. It reminds me of her. The way she smelt. The way she laughed. When I’m here it’s like she’s still alive.” He finished with a sigh. His eyes began to fill with tears but did not pool over.
I cradled him in my arms like a baby.
“It’s nice you have this place to remind you of her.” I said brushing hair from his forehead with my fingers. His skin was so cold and smooth like a stone. But I was getting used to his cold skin and I almost didn’t notice it. Almost.
“It is. I don’t know what I would do without it.”
“You’d make do with what you had.” I said.
“Yes, I’m sure I would’ve but nothing reminds me quite like this place does. Sometimes I think I can even hear her sing. It sounds so real.”
“I wish I could’ve met her.” I said.
“She would’ve loved you and you would’ve loved her. She was always so happy and willing to listen. You could go on and on for hours about the most boring topic and she would still listen and pass her opinion. She knew everyone in the area by name. If something drastic happened to a neighbor or someone she knew she would spend hours in the kitchen preparing a meal. She was and is the greatest mom in the world.”
“She sounds like it. I wish my mom was like that.” I said.
“Well, your mom is probably great in many other ways.” He said.
“I guess so.” I replied.
The way Jonathon talked about his mom was so wonderful. It was so tragic that he no longer had her. My mom used to be that way. But now . . . well it’s like she’s not alive. Hopefully after everything that’s happened she will go back to being her old self.
Suddenly tears pooled from my eyes. I tried to stop them but they just kept coming.
Jonathon uncoiled my arms from around him. He then wrapped his arms around me. Jonathon leaned against the bench and brought me down with him. My body melted into his. A perfect match.
“Shhh.” He wiped the tears from my eyes. His pale fingers coming away black. He spoke to me in Italian.
I buried my face into his shoulder ashamed. Ruining his shirt further in the process.
“What did I say?” asked Jonathon.
I tried to compose myself to answer him. Deep breaths.
“You didn’t say anything. I just got to thinking about my mom.” I choked out, new tears falling from my itchy eyes.
“Shhh, love. There is no need to shed unneeded tears.”
“It’s been so long since my mom has been herself and even longer since anyone has cared about me.”
“Your family cares about you. . . I care about you.”
“No they don’t. If they did care about me they wouldn’t have put me through hell.”
“What are you talking about?” He asked kissing my cheek. I composed myself as much as possible.
“After the boys left my parents fought constantly. There was so much drama I was emotionally drained. I was so unhappy and angry, I lost all my friends. My grades dropped. Then there was the divorce and the move. They’ve put me under so much stress. They must really hate me.”
“They don’t hate you.”
“How do you know?” I sobbed.
“I just know.”
