A Short Story...MEMORIES

This was something I had written a while back!! It was during one of my sudden bursts of inspiration.I don't know how correct it  is or whether it even makes sense, but I love my characters and it is my first sort of story which makes it very special to me...

“I was never one to patiently pick up broken fragments and glue them together again and tell myself that the mended whole was as good as new. What is broken is broken -- and I'd rather remember it as it was at its best than mend it and see the broken places as long as I lived.” – MARGARET MITCHELL

Standing on the pier, overlooking the harbour, Mark missed hearing her voice. His hands tightened on the rails and his eyes grew dark with the bittersweet memories. He never could have seen it coming. She was so alive, so charismatic, and so beautiful and things would never be the same now. He still remembered the way she used to smile at him over her morning cup of coffee…  The glint in her eye as she told him about her new favourite song and the arguments they had over the probabilities of who would win the World Cup. How she used to completely startle him with her insane logic at times. Yet she was his rock and his love and had meant everything to him.

It had been four years now. Four years since Blair had gone. Gone to a world from where she would never return. And somewhere he could not follow. How cruel could God be to take away the very existence of his life? There had been no one since her. No one could ever replace her. Her warmth, her generosity, her love for life…. It was indeed tragic to lose her. He still remembered the day it happened and his eyes glowed with anger as the thoughts rushed past his mind.

 It was Christmas Eve. He was standing at this very place with Cassie, waiting for Blair to finish her last minute shopping. ‘How like Blair to keep everything last minute’, he mused. He had already finished his shopping. He had recently been to Amsterdam for a Doctors Convention and had bought an emerald bracelet for Blair and a lovely porcelain doll for Cassie. And he held Cassie in his arms as the wind blew against their hair and the ships sailed into the harbour.

Suddenly, he heard a sound from behind. There was a huge crowd which had gathered at the opposite side of the street. Curious, he walked across, holding Cassie in his arms. He had this sudden fear eating him up and wanted it to go away… And then…..  He saw her. Blair lay on the side walk in a pool of blood. He rushed to her and checked to see her pulse. Nothing. It was silent. Cassie was crying loudly, not understanding, why her mummy was lying there. Mark couldn’t believe it… He kept pumping her chest and giving her CPR, but nothing worked. ‘What was the point of being a doctor, if you can’t save the one you loved’, he wondered angrily as he begged Blair to wake up. Again and again and again. But to no avail.

He suddenly looked up at the people gathered there and grew angry. No one bothered to help. No one bothered to do anything. “What happened to her”, he roared at them. “Answer me.”

“She was hit by a speeding car. They were a couple of teens, enjoying the Christmas break and probably really drunk. They didn’t see her crossing the street. They ran away as soon as it happened. I’m really sorry mate. I truly am”, said a passerby. Mark couldn’t believe it. He vowed he would get those kids for this.

Even after four years now, he could still feel her presence. She didn’t deserve to die that way. It seemed just yesterday when she had thrown him his 35^th birthday. How happy they were then. Cassie was a year old and looked adorable in her lace frock. They seemed the perfect family. He loved spending all the time he could with them. Playing with Cassie or watching Breakfast at Tiffany’s over and over with Blair. He loved doing it all. He loved walking through the fields behind their Cheshire home with Cassie and Blair, marveling at the blue sky and the prettiness of the yellow daffodils.

Now, here he was. Standing there, looking at the blue sea. He brushed away the tears from his eyes and looked towards the town. He had finally come to say goodbye to Blair. To tell her he had found the teens out and had dealt with them. To allow her to be free and to be at peace.

Everyone was enjoying themselves. The shops were alight with lights and crowds of people enjoyed the festivities. Christmas was around the corner. Suddenly, he heard her voice.

“Daddy, where are you? Grandma says can we please go to the restaurant now. She is very hungry. Daddy, look. A fair… Can we go there, please? Pretty Please?” said Cassie.

“Alright, love. Let’s go”.

She was almost 5 years now. And how alike he mother she looked with her grey eyes and chestnut hair. She was all he had now. He had to be strong for her. He loved her more than anything and refused to break down with emotion although there were times he couldn’t speak as Blair’s loss was so acute. And Christmas only made it worse. But, like a circle, life had to continue. They had to move on. He paused one last time and looked towards the sea.

“Goodbye, my love. Let’s hope we meet soon.” So saying he took his daughter’s hand and made his way to the fair. 

Here's to inspiration!!!