The wind howls through the graveyard, ruining precious gifts left on the resting places of loved ones.
A hunched elderly man and a young woman sit by an overgrown, unmarked plot. He carefully removes withered flowers and replaces them with fresh lilies, taking time to arrange them. As frail and shaking hands cut the stems and separate the flowers, he whispers his heart’s desire. It’s been so long since he held her hand, smelled her perfume and shared intimate moments. His heart aches and despite being surrounded by family that try their best, his only desire is to join her.
She sits there not knowing what to do; it makes her sad to see him this way. She can only wait until he is finished.
A shudder runs through his body, remembering the times they laughed and loved. How he wishes he could lie down beside her, but he must be strong for his daughter.
Pulling his coat tighter around his frail body he begins to sob.
She tries to comfort him, but doesn’t know how, she wishes she could take away his pain but in the years that she has sat here with him she has never found a way.
He slowly stands; he is ashamed of his tired and battered body, no longer able to sit for hours. It is time for him to go back home where his daughter will make him a dinner that he will not be able to eat.
A tear falls down a creased cheek
‘I love you darling. I will come back next week.’
His heart pounds as he hears her voice in the wind ‘I love you too, I will be waiting.'
He turns back to the grave, but he is alone.
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