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Six Months Later

I watch my mother walk to the curb as the limousine waits for her. The chauffeur graciously opens the door for her as if she's royalty. Before getting in, she turns around and waves at me. I smile and nod my head to her. She steps into the car. The chauffeur closes the door and returns to his duty and drives away. I lean over to look out the window, as I watch her leave until I could see no further. She disappears into the cool Atlanta breeze. I don't know if I'll ever see her again. I don't know if I even care, too.

A waitress comes over to the table and asks, "Are you done, sir?"

I nod my head yes. She quickly snatches the money my mother had laid on the table and walks away as a bus boy comes to clean up. I leave Wyler's and walk out into the Atlanta that was beginning all over again.

Not sure what to do with the rest of my day, I decide to go to the park and find a secluded place where I can sit and think about my future.

Atlanta is quiet as people walk the streets once more. Six months ago you couldn't go anywhere without someone bumping into you, stopping you, and asking for a handout. Now, there's so much space, that I can hardly comprehend the freedom that I have; that everyone has. Yet I feel since a huge slice of humanity has died, that the essence of humanity no longer lingers among us as before. The frailties and the hopelessness that once hovered over the Earth seem to no longer exist. While everyone feels that they have hope right now, it doesn't seem to be the same. The everyday drudgery to survive is non-existent. The governments are helping everyone now, and yet, I can sense that there's something missing, something that existed in humanity, something that was innate in humanity, but is no longer abounding as before. What is it? What's missing?

I arrive at the park and once again there's so much space. There are families sitting at tables, enjoying the cool day, talking, laughing, and watching their children play without worry. There are couples embracing each other, cuddling, perhaps talking about their futures and what they would like to embark upon. I turn my head to the left and see an empty bench beside a pine tree. It's a quiet location where I decide to go and contemplate my future without Claire and our son. Alone, I sit, and enjoy the fresh air and nature.

The breeze is cool, the Sun's shining, and there are hardly any clouds in the azure sky. Two butterflies glide in the breeze as they dance with each other enjoying their solace together. A mole pops his head out of a hole by some nearby bushes. He notices the butterflies, but realizes they're too high for him to capture. He dashes off after noticing something better that is within his reach.

A child falls from a swing and begins to cry for her mother. The mother runs to her rescue and kisses the child on her head and comforts her. Then hand-in-hand, takes her to the slide where the child's laughter erases her earlier mishap.

I imagine myself playing with my son and abruptly stop myself. Stop torturing yourself, John! They're gone. You must move on. "How can I?" I ask myself. Trying not to cry, I find I don't have the will power not to. Uncontrollable sadness overwhelms me. I sob for Claire and our son.

"Stop it, John!" I yell to myself. "Stop it! Stop it, now! They're gone and there's nothing you can do to bring them back! Stop it and move on with your life!"

I wipe my tears away with my sleeve. I decide to walk back to my empty home where I, too, must make a new beginning. How I'm going to achieve that, I don't know. But I must, or I will soon become despondent and be tortured by misery forever. Claire would not like that. She would want me to live joyously and with as much happiness as possible. I stand, ready to go back home and mutter to myself, "I'll do it for you, Claire. I'll do it for you."

The day's whirling by quickly. I better head home before it gets too dark. I begin my lonely walk back home.

______________________________________

When I arrive home, I hadn't realized how much time had gone by. I didn't care though. Time doesn't seem to be so important to me anymore. My whole life has been completely destroyed, due to the death of my wife and son. I will not be a prisoner of time.

The streets are quiet, since most people haven't any jobs to go to or any money to spend. One can't help but wonder if the world can renew itself as it was before. If it does, I hope people like Ted and my mother become extinct, so that the world can live as God intended it to be. Yet I still find myself asking is there a God. I guess that's the hope to hold on to for now.

I order my front door to open. I stand in the hallway, alone, dismayed with an aching heart for my family. Since I have no one to greet me, I wonder what future is there in store for me. But how can I even think of dying when most of the world died because of me? Damn! I will be asking myself millions of questions, forever, with no answers! I decide not to turn on any lights, but to go sit in the rocking chair and stare outside the window.

Feeling so alone, I stare out into the twilight. Such peace and tranquility exist, that I ask myself is this normal? The population of Atlanta is under one million. Six months ago, it was twenty million. Atlanta is such a big city, holding such a small populace that doesn't have the means to begin a strong economy, which every city needs right now. What will happen to all of these huge buildings that once housed millions? Why am I even asking myself these questions? Do I care? Do I?

After a few minutes, a black limousine pulls out front. I lean forward, wondering who it is. I watch to see if someone gets out, but the car just sits there, idling, as if they're waiting for me to come out to them. I wait a few more minutes, and then anxiously say, "What the hell?" I leap out of the rocker and march out my front door, down the stairs, and when I begin to reach for the car's door handle, I stop. The back door opens slowly and I step back wondering if I should run back into my apartment, or wait to see who it is. My heart begins to beat faster, not knowing who is going to exit.

A small figure wearing a black-hooded cloak steps out of the limousine with their back turned towards me. Who is this? The figure leans forward inside the car and takes a hold of something. Damn it! Should I run? Then the figure stands straight up and turns around. I stand there as if I'm in a dream. This can't be! I stagger backwards and fall to my knees. I close my eyes tightly and reopen them, just to see that this is not a dream.

The figure takes one step towards me, removes the hood from their head and says, "John, we're home. Your son and I are home."

I place my hands into my face and sob like a madman yelling, "This is a dream! I'm going crazy! This is a dream!"

Claire bends down and kisses my forehead and whispers, "It's not a dream, darling. It's really us; Claire, and your son, Malcolm. We're home, John. We're home."

I remove my hands from my face and stare at this beautiful woman standing before me. She uncovers our son's face, and there before my eyes, is my son, our son!

Claire bends down and embraces me with our son between us. I cling onto them both, hysterically screaming, crying, and yelling, "This can't be! This can't be!"

Claire kisses my head and whispers, "John, baby, John, shush... shush, my love. This is real. John, this is real."

I take my hands away from my face and place them on hers. Sniffling, I say, "It is you Claire! It is really you!" and lay my head upon her breast. I can only continue crying.

After what seemed like an eternity, Claire whispers in my ear, "John, would you like to hold your son?"

I quickly lift my head from her breast and gaze at this beautiful bundle she holds between us. I smile and look into her green eyes, her beautiful green eyes that I haven't seen for what was an eternity. She begins to place Malcolm into my arms. Nervously, I take him and begin to rock him in my arms. I kiss him on his forehead and say, "Hello, Malcolm. I'm your dad. I'm your father, John. Welcome home, my son. Welcome home." I bend over him and continue to weep.

Claire says, "Come, John, let's go inside and start our new beginning together as a family."

I gaze at Claire's beautiful face, kiss her withpassion beyond measure, and carefully stand on my feet. Together all three ofus enter our home, renewed with hope, and most importantly, with more love thanever before. As I turn to close the door, I see my mother looking out the carwindow. She smiles and blows a kiss to me. I blow a kiss back to her, and whisper,"Thank you." I close the door and enjoy my life once again!