Story [Issue 81] Editorials: Fallen Flower

[JAGMAN2468 104]

 

 

 

If only I had known! But now it was too late, she was gone. Gone forever. I cursed myself. Rebecca had died. She had died because of a mistake. No, my mistake. Sobbing I raised my fist and shook it at the dark midnight sky. I don’t know how long I sat there, wailing in despair. But I do remember Gerald showing up, his eyes wide with shock.

 

Then, forcing a calm expression he took my hand and led me to his car. “It’ll be alright buddy”, he whispered into my ear.

 

I woke up the next day, the sting still fresh. The nights events came slamming back into my face like an stone brick. Rebecca, she walking up the porch with flowers in her hair smiling happily. Us walking through the night, happily talking about our lives. Then at about 10 to 9 o’ clock. It happened, the car came flying out of no where through the streets. She screamed. I failed to comprehend what was happening before she was hit.

 

Gerald walked over to me with a tray in his hands. “Joel… You want some breakfast? We can talk about what happened if you like”. I wasn’t hungry, but I desperately could use someone to talk to. I choked out the story to him, piece by piece. By the end I was sobbing all over again. He placed his hand on my shoulder. “We all loved Rebecca, she was a great woman. But you need to know, you can’t possibly be the one to blame for all of this. It was an accident.”

 

“But it feels like my fault!” I yelled “I could have saved her.”

 

Gerald sighed “No one could have reacted fast enough to something like that. Heck you’re lucky you survived yourself”, then he gave me a big hug.

 

I felt glad to have such a great friend like Gerald. “I guess I should go see… her” I croaked. I knew she was dead, but it still hurt to say that out loud.

 

Gerald nodded, “You should get some clothes on first though. I’ll start up the car ready for us.” He walked out of the room and I got up.

 

My head felt like it was filled with lead. I threw on some jeans and a t-shirt and then left the bedroom. I recognized where I was. Gerald’s house. We’d spent countless hours here playing video games in his basement, talking about girls and other stuff. Over our teenage years we’d become best friends and even as adults we still hung out regularly. When I had met Rebecca he had welcomed her right into our friend circle. And when we had starting dating he was totally fine with it. Though we didn’t talk much about girls after that. I walked out his front door outside over to his Toyota Corolla. I kept imagining that Rebecca was right beside me, and we were all just going out to hang out somewhere. But I knew she wasn’t.

 

Gerald opened the passenger door for me and gave me a feeble smile. “Alright, let's go chief”.

 

I chucked weakly at his remark and stepped in. We drove around the city for about half an hour. When we got to the crime scene it felt like last night all over again. There was yellow tape around the smashed up car in the center. I prayed silently that there was no blood. I didn't think I would’ve been able to handle it if there had been blood. To my relief there wasn’t any blood, and for a second I had a glimmer of hope that she was still alive. Just waiting a the hospital to see me. I would run over and embrace her then she would look up at me and give me her sweet smile like always. “Don’t worry. I’m fine” she would say. Suddenly I was jerked out of my thoughts as someone tapped me on the shoulder. I turned around to see a policeman tapping his foot impatiently in front of me.

 

“Sir” he said “Do you have a permit to be here?”

 

I replied gravely “The girl last night. She was my fiance, we came out here on a date last night and…” I stifled another sob “She was hit”.

 

The policeman gave me a sympathetic look “Oh yes, the body”

 

I wanted to hit him for calling Rebecca “the body”. But I realized that would be stupid.

 

“Her body was moved to a hospital for examination” he continued

 

My head jerked up instantly “Which hospital! Please tell me!” I begged.

 

The policeman put his hands up “Whoa son” then crossing his arms “From what I heard her parents came and brought her to Apple Funeral Homes this morning”

 

Oh no… Her parents. They must be devastated and looking for someone to blame. They would be furious with me. Probably thinking that I just left her there to die. I quickly muttered my thanks to the policeman and ran back to Gerald. 

 

“We need to get to Apple Funeral Homes as soon as possible!”

 

Gerald nodded, quickly understanding what I meant. “Hop in”.

 

As we drove I thought about what I would say to her parents. But mostly I wondered what her dead body might look like. Misshapen? Deformed? I wasn’t sure I wanted to know. Gerald didn’t say much during our ride. Just glancing over at me once in a while with a look of sympathy. I stared out of the window for most of the trip.

 

“We’re here” he said as we drove up to a large building. The words Apple Funeral Homes was on a sign at the entrance.

My beloved was in there! I mixture of feelings swam through my brain. Excitedness, sadness, terror.

 

Gerald parked the car in the lot. And we got out and walked towards the building. As we walked up the sidewalk I said to Gerald “I-I’m not sure what to say to her parents.”

 

He replied “Don’t worry. If they’re really that mad just tell them what happened. They’ll eventually come to the conclusion that it wasn’t your fault”

 

I nodded. But my fears didn’t go away. We got to the entrance and an automatic door opened for us. The lobby was well formed. Golden designs were laced upon the walls with pictures of nature scenery. A long red carpet draped the floor leading to multiple rooms. We walked to the front desk and Gerald asked which room Rebecca Freegate was located in. She was in room A4 which was about 100 meters from where we were standing right now. As we approached the door my heart sank. The room held pictures of her life on the walls. Marigolds and violets were laden everywhere since those were her favorite flowers. As we stepped in it seemed that everyone turned to stare at me. I saw her parents, a strong broad man with a devastated look standing over a sobbing petite woman. They were right beside the casket which held Rebecca. I crept forward until I could see her body. She looked almost exactly as she had the night before. Except now she was unmoving and pale. Tears stung in my eyes, and I went over to where her parents were. Mrs. Freegate took one look and me and then to my surprise hugged me. I couldn't hold my tears anymore. We cried there standing together for a long while. Then Mr. Freegate came over and put his hand on my shoulder.

 

“You were a good man to her” he said .“I could tell by the way she talked about you. With the light of love in her eyes.”

I looked at him through my blurry eyes, surprised. “I was sure you guys would yell at me. I-I couldn’t save her in time.”

 

“It wasn’t your fault. I know if it was you who had gotten hit she would have reacted the same way. You’re like a son to us.”

 

“Thank you” I said with gratitude. I looked back at her body and sighed. She wasn’t coming back. But I would live on. Live on with her beautiful memory in my heart.

 

[Nemesis_Pro_TO_2.0 361]

WOW JAG as u being leader of our club beside me.... THIS IS SO HEARTBREAKING, wow it is like u experienced it before.... great story bro.

[JAGMAN2468 104]

WOW JAG as u being leader of our club beside me.... THIS IS SO HEARTBREAKING, wow it is like u experienced it before.... great story bro.

Thanks Nem  :D.

[CommanderJames 64]

Damn son. This is really good. Also, definitely was your fault!

[Person_Random 4,991]

Teach MEE

[Maverick_Storm_Xian 5]

wow a heartbreaking story but that solace at the end :(  :wub: .  Please tell me this is not a true story :ph34r:

[cryptor 589]

Nice issue!  :)  ;)