“I’ll be gone soon,” a soft voice whispered into his ear. “It goes faster every year.”
He closed his eyes, desperately willing time to slow down. The last sound in the world he wanted to hear right now was the striking of the clock.
It was inevitable, he knew, but that didn’t make it easier for him to accept.
“Let’s just enjoy the time we have left,” he said. “I don’t want to start missing you before you’re gone.”
She giggled and snuggled closer to him. “You’re right,” she said. “We’re luckier than most.”
Her favorite holiday was Halloween, and he was taken from him too soon on the once amazing holiday.
His heart was empty, a piece of him was missing.
By the first anniversary of her death, he was a shadow of his former self.
He couldn’t bring himself to celebrate, but he brought out the black cat cauldron, candleholder they’d purchased their first Halloween together. He set it on the coffee table and lit the flame.
From that day on, as long as he lit the flame, she’d return, and remain until the stroke of midnight on November first.
Green sparks issued from the candle. He squeezed her hand, midnight was approaching.
“I love you,” he said. “We’ll be together again soon.”
She held him close and kissed him quick.
“Thank you for lighting that candle,” she said. “I love you too. Happy Halloween!”
As the clock struck midnight she slowly faded away, but as long as he kept the candle burning he’d see her again.
Scribble City: Write Now 