1000 words on the theme 'We're all human, even when we're not.'

This work is licenced under a Creative Commons Licence.

EVERLASTING

She hadn't known it was possible to cry so much but crying now occupied her waking hours. She didn't eat, she scarcely drank.

'I'm not hungry' she said 'but I'm cold' so she wore a big sweater although it was high Summer. She performed only those actions that were absolutely essential. Everything was dominated by her need to cry. It isolated her from her friends but that didn't matter, she had to cry it all out of her. When she went to bed she passed out, there were no dreams, there was no moving around in the night to find a more comfortable position. When she woke up she started to cry again.

One morning she woke before anyone else, even before the dog. It was thick dark but she got up and dressed. She left the house and began walking. She didn't know the area because she was staying with friends so took the path in front of her. It led through a field then when the path reached a road it continued on the other side so she kept following it. She had no idea where she was but she walked on because it seemed important to do so.

Then she realised she wasn't alone, he'd joined her, he was chatting and laughing with her. He remembered an incident from years before that had amused him and frightened her. He was sorry now for teasing her. They walked on and the birds began to sing. The path ahead became clearer and there was the sea. The path opened out and that was when he left telling her 'Don't worry, everything is going to be all right.' She watched the sun rise out of the sea and felt warm now for the first time in days; no longer cold inside or out, something had thawed.

Her friends noticed the change when she returned. When she told them he'd come to see her they weren't surprised and neither was she. She smiled, everything would be okay now. She kept smiling to herself over the next few days. There were things to do and as she did them she smiled; people noticed but forgave her odd behaviour, she was obviously not coping well they said.

When the big day arrived she was completely in control. She greeted everyone and thanked them for coming. She'd asked for flowers and music, she would have asked for dancing but there was no room to dance. The day was hot and she wore a Summer dress. She could feel everything now: the heat and her perfume, the voices in all their variety, the faces, some well-known to her and some almost strangers. She welcomed all of it. He'd enjoy this.

Then he arrived. He was wearing his best black silk shirt and he looked so handsome that her control slipped for a moment. She loved him so much and he loved her still, she knew that with unshakeable certainty.

When the service was over she leaned over him and kissed him. She felt love surrounding her and moving through her. His love was more real and vivid than ever before, she smiled as they closed the lid of his coffin.