ETERNITY (eBook)

THE SEARCH CONTINUES

B.E. Brecht (Autor)

eBook Download: EPUB

2024 | 1. Auflage
308 Seiten
Bookbaby (Verlag)
979-8-3509-4687-1 (ISBN)

Infos

Aaron has lost the love of his life, and he is in danger of losing his own. He fumbles through the days after Kelly's funeral, slipping further away from reality and deeper into insanity. Trauma plays tricks on his mind while Kelly's spirit lures him to her. Meanwhile fate intervenes by way of two strangers who quickly become like family. Crisscrossing the country, he follows vague hints hoping to reconnect with her. His enduring love compels him onward as the highway lines blur between fate and reality. The only sanity that exists comes from the two young hitchhikers who have taken it upon themselves to help during his cognitive decline. Soulmates always find their way to one another. Death only delays the inevitable.

Textauszug

CHAPTER 1

Where did Aaron go?

The spiritual encounter gave him hope, but life would not be so kind. After Kelly’s funeral, Aaron’s mind would lead him into a fantasy world and false realities. His once quick-witted and reliable mind would give in to the never-ending battle that life had waged on him since 1982. His only defense against the mental barrage that life wielded as its new weapon, the next encounter. And he would strive for each one.

Friday, November 15, 2019

Aaron’s tears had dried, and only hurt remained as he ambled through this day, the day of his wife’s celebration of life. He couldn’t even stay for the whole service because his heart was utterly shattered. And when he left, he just disappeared, telling no one where he was going. Hell, he didn’t even know.

His pace went from a crawl to a run, then back to another stumbling of sorts; nothing seemed natural anymore. Nothing he did seemed to have a reason or an end. His blind walk this evening led him to a park, where he found a large oak tree and sat down at its base. The tree was anchored on a small knoll on the high side of the park. He watched people as they strolled by on the blacktop path with only one thing on his mind. I can’t believe she is gone.

The sound of his phone ringing snapped him out of his stupor. He reached into his pocket and pulled it out, “Hello?”

“Hi Aaron, this is Jack.” It was Kelly’s longtime family friend, whom Aaron had known for decades. “I didn’t get to talk to you today at Kelly’s celebration, and I just wanted to tell you that I am so sorry for your loss.”

“Thank you, Jack. I had to leave after speaking. It was too overwhelming to stay. I apologize.”

“Don’t ever apologize for your emotions, Aaron.” Jack started to cry as he said, “My princess loved you so much, Aaron. I just know she is watching over you. I am going to miss her very much.”

“I don’t know what to do, Jack. I have never hurt so badly. How did you do it when you lost Lance? How did you go on living?”

“You just do, Aaron, you have to. People will tell you it gets easier with time, but that has not been the case for me. Are you okay, Aaron? I know that’s a silly question to ask, but I am worried about you.”

“Not really, I’m sitting here at a park I’ve never been to before, waiting for her to come walking up the path. I know it sounds crazy, but hope is all we have ever had… Jack, would you mind if I stayed at your place tonight?”

“Of course not. I’ll leave the door open for you.”

It took over an hour for Aaron to walk to Jack’s apartment. As he ambled up the dark street and into the parking lot, he couldn’t help but stare at the empty parking spot he and Kelly had used so many times. He slowly made his way to its center and stood there staring at the shadow that mimicked his every move. Lifting his hand, he reached out, hoping to see her silhouette reach out too, but it was not to be. He turned and looked up at the light pole casting its shadows, then closed his eyes and struggled to hear her voice. They had talked in this spot in front of Jack’s apartment so many times. He then begged his own mind to give him the sounds he so desperately needed to hear.

Slowly a vision slipped into his thoughts. She was leaning against the light pole, her beautiful eyes and radiant smile beaming as she waited for him to get out of the car. He stepped around to meet her, but just as she started to speak, another voice burst in, instantly clearing his mind of his beautiful vision.

“Aaron, are you okay?” Tears rolled down Jack’s cheeks as he walked to him.

Aaron just stood there, his hands by his side, a lost stare in his eyes.

Jack reached out, pulled Aaron to him, and hugged him tightly.

“She is gone. She is gone, Jack.”

Aaron lay down on the bed in Kelly’s old room, the memories washing through his mind, bringing smiles and tears. How can it ever get easier?

Then a knock at the door, “May I come in, Aaron?”

“Yes, come in, please.”

The door opened, and Jack slowly walked in, holding a silver tray containing four different colored candles. He set it down on the dresser, looked at Aaron, and said, “The aroma from these candles always helps me sleep when I’m missing Lance. I thought you could use them tonight.” He picked up a green long-neck lighter and lit the candles. “You are welcome to stay here as long as you want, Aaron.”

“Thank you, Jack. I appreciate that very much.”

“I’ll leave you alone now, and I hope you can get some sleep. If you need anything, don’t be shy. Just ask.” Jack turned off the lights and closed the door behind him as he left.

Emotionally and physically spent, Aaron stared at the candlelight dancing on the ceiling and soon fell asleep.

Saturday, November 16, 2019

Quietly stepping into the front room, Aaron found Jack with a smile. “Morning.”

“Well, hello! Your phone has not stopped ringing all morning. I’m sure you have a few people worried about you.”

“I’m sorry for leaving it out here, Jack. I hope it didn’t bother you too much.”

“No, it did not, not at all.”

Aaron fumbled with the phone until he was able to turn it off completely, then slid it into his pocket.

“Aaron, I don’t want to overstep my bounds, but don’t you think you should call your daughter? I can only imagine how worried Asteria must be right now.”

Aaron stared out the window above the kitchen table, looking at the morning sun and asked, “You think I could get a cup of that coffee?” purposely avoiding Jack’s question.

“Oh my gosh! I am so sorry. Not much of a host, am I? How do you take it?”

“Just black, thank you.”

After Jack handed him his coffee, he explained, “I have a couple of errands to run. I’ve put them off too long, and now they need my immediate attention. Will you be okay if I am gone for a while?”

“I’ll be just fine. I’m not sure how long I’ll stay.”

Then, with a sad look, Jack said, “I am so sorry about Kelly. She was so beautiful inside and out.”

“Yes, she was. Thank you very much for letting me stay here last night.”

“It was my pleasure, and as I said before, you can stay as long as you like. I must get going. Hopefully, I’ll see you later.”

“Thanks again, Jack. I am going to go for a walk and do some thinking before I make any decisions.”

Jack smiled at him as he walked out the door. Aaron sat silently, drinking his coffee. The memories started flowing through his mind once again. Turning in his seat, he looked toward the front room and tried to envision the morning he picked her up just outside the front door, carried her into the front room and started dancing, never setting her down. Then, standing up, he walked to the spot where the old stereo system used to be and stood there looking at the floor, struggling to clarify the memory.

“What was that song? It was so unique and powerful.” He closed his eyes and started slowly swaying back and forth, then raised his arms like he was holding her once more, and out of nowhere, the song came to him like someone was slowly turning the volume up until it was loud and clear. “Forever Young” flowed through his lips, making him smile.

Then something incredible happened to him. The moment returned… They were young again. She was in his arms, looking at him with those stunning blue eyes. He lost his breath and stopped, then looked into her eyes and quietly asked, “You’re not real, are you?”

“Of course I am, you goofball.”

His heart raced, “I love you, Kelly.” He squeezed his eyes shut, knowing she would not be there when he opened them again.

“I love you, too. Now can we take our shower?”

Bumping into the bathroom door forced him to open his eyes and relinquish the vision. Instantly, tears fell from his eyes, as he sat down on the toilet lid. “I could see you. I could hear and feel you!” He drew a deep breath, reached over and slid the shower curtain open, and gazed at the once-intimate location.

“Kelly, I think you can hear me. I know this because I can still feel you deep in my soul....

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 15.2.2024
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Literatur ► Romane / Erzählungen
• ISBN-13: 979-8-3509-4687-1 / 9798350946871