Kokoro no Tomo

Disclaimer: All characters, places, etc, are the sole product of the authors imagination. Any resemblance or direct correlations to actual events are purely coincidence.

Kokoro no Tomo © 2008, 2009 Haronica Legette

Any reproduction, distribution, unauthorized sale/publication without express permission of Authors consent is subject to legal action as described under U.S. Copyright laws.

"こころ の とも"
Kokoro no Tomo

Prologue

The house was filled with the fragrant aroma of lamb, tarragon, spice, and the scent of sweet fresh vegetables. The large kitchen was spotlessly clean with its granite counter tops empty save for the two sparkling white china that were being filled with the main dish. A bottle of red wine sat chilling in the ice bucket as the tall body moved back and forth between the stove and dishes. He whistled a tune, his demeanor excited as anticipation laced his insides. He checked his watch and listened intently for the sound of the vehicle to pull up as it always did.

Turning back toward his task, he finished with his preparations and went to reach for the napkin to wipe the plates sides clean when his vision blurred suddenly. Blinking rapidly, he shook his head, ignoring the unease that filled him. He picked up the plates and made his way to the dining room area where he laid them down on the rose covered oak table. Two candles burned brightly with a bouquet of red and yellow roses centered in between them. He turned to go back into the kitchen when a piercing pain went through his skull, he stumbled, then everything went black.

******

He watched as she stood sobbing over him, holding his head in her lap and kissing his lips. Her hair hung over the sides of her face as she cried. The tears running along his still warm cheeks as they dripped from hers. He smiled inside at how much he loved her. How much she’d given him in their short time together. He looked on as the EMT’s and police came into their home, pried her off of him as they tended to his body. Its still form was wheeled out of the house with her following, calling his name, begging him not to leave her alone. It screamed at him that he'd promised they’d grow old together. Sadness enveloped him as he ached to hold her, to tell her that he was sorry. He wanted to tell her that everything would be alright.

The food forgotten, the wine warming in the melted ice, and the candles burned no longer. The wax making a puddle on the wilted rose petals. He stayed where he was, unable to move. A figure appeared beside him, he openly smiled at his mother before she held out her hand for him to follow.

1

Two Years later….

He’d died on their first anniversary. It had only been a year. He never wanted to leave her and if it was possible, he wouldn’t have. Even now as he stood watching how she took care of the man lying in the bed, her movements smooth but gentle. He heard her talking, telling him about her day and asking what he had been dreaming. James laughed. Only his Lexi would have a one-sided conversation with a comatose person.

He’d been unable to continue is journey with his mother, to worried about his Lexi. James wanted to make sure she was alright and that she found someone again to give her all the promises that he was unable to keep.

“What happens if I don’t go, Mom?” James had asked her that fateful evening.

Her face was the same and no longer drawn in by the cancer that had taken her life more than twenty years ago. She was as he remembered when he was a child of twelve, waiting at the table for her to serve him an after-school snack of peanut butter and jelly and milk. His mother’s long dark hair sat in waves around her heart shaped face. Her small nose that was slightly upturned and small mouth curved in a smile as her bright hazel eyes twinkled with love and kindness at him. She wore the yellow dress with small white polka dots on it. The cap sleeves covering her light brown shoulders and her slender frame stood straight.

“You will stay until your spirit is at peace.” She smiled at him.

“I want her to love again.” He looked back toward the empty room before facing his mother again. “I want her to find someone to share what we had planned on sharing. I want her to be happy. She won’t be happy unless she knows it’s alright with me.”

“Well, you know her best, James. When you’re ready, I’ll come get you.” She gave him an encouraging smile and faded away.

James had been by Lexi’s side since the evening he died. Watching as she grieved for him and went through the mourning process. It tore at him to see it, but he knew only time would heal her heart. James listened to her voice as she continued to speak to her patient.

For two weeks now she’d been coming to his room. Lexi had been drawn to him, James noticed, since the day he’d been wheeled from the operating room. There wasn't any family to visit and every evening after her rounds Lexi would check his vitals then bath him and redress him in James’ clothing. James didn’t think she even realized that she was taking care of this man as if he was hers to take care of.

James stood up, realizing something important on this mission he'd decided to travel. It was this man lying silent against the white sheet of the bed. It was him that would teach his Lexi to live again. He was her soulmate.