The Silver Light of the Moon

:: Chapter FOUR ::

When 6 long years were finally over, it was time for him to come back. I was ecstatically happy, anxious for his return. He was a grown-up man of 24 and I was already 23 years old. I waited eagerly at the airport for him. Questions ran through my mind. Was he taller? Older? Has his personality changed? Yes, I had seen his pictures but one cannot judge by just looking at still photos. He was the first few to walk out of the arrival hall. His searching eyes saw me and he walked briskly, almost ran, towards me. We stood in front of each other, too happy to say a word, when I gave him a hug and proceeded to help him take his bags. He never changed; he was still the teenage boy that left me so many years ago.

The first thing we did was to go to the cemetery. Danny laid a big bouquet of white lilies, the symbol of purity, on his grandfather's grave. We both stood there in silence, remembering the patriarch who told us endless stories of his younger days as we sat in humble adoration at the feet of his rocking chair and was always generous with money during our birthdays and other special occasions. We remembered how, even while he was very sick in the hospital, he still had time to listen to us both and offer his advice and love.

"You were right Chantel. He has gone to a better place," said Danny, breaking the silence. I nodded silently. As we walked back to the car, I felt relieved because on that day, Danny let the memories of his grandfather go and proceeded to continue to live his life to be at least half the man his grandfather once was.

~~*~~

My bedside clock gave a little chirp. I turned to glance at it. 4 am! I have to get up at 6.30 tomorrow, or rather, today. I promised Danny I'll be early. I lay down on my bed and pulled my faithful woolen blanket around me and glanced around the room, brightly lit by the light of the moon. My eyes rested on the open door of my cupboard. I took one last glance at my wedding dress hanging there and went to sleep.