The Walk to the Lighthouse

Step, step, step.

It was a spring day, and they walked together towards the lighthouse.

He suddenly stopped her and said, “I really like you and would want to be with you always. Will you accept my love?”

She blushed, and slowly nodded. She had been waiting for this day ever since he moved to her high school, after all.

He grinned and leaned forward to kiss her.

Step, step, step.

The summertime breezes made her toga dance. She immediately let go of his hand and tried to keep her dress from flying.

Her cap then flew off her head, and he scrambled after it. She laughed as she watched him run after it.

He stumbled over his own toga and fell to the ground. She ran to him, worried, but he quickly got up and waved at her, sand all over his front. She giggled.

Step, step, step.

He wrapped his scarf around her neck and held her close as the changing leaves fell from the trees.

“I’m sorry,” he murmured, stroking her hair softly. “There’s no cure. It’s best you leave.”

Through her tears, she eyed the sparkle on her ring finger.

“No,” she replied angrily. “I’m not leaving, and we will not lose. You will be with me always.”

He lifted her chin up to look at her, and she stared back with determined eyes. “Always,” he repeated.

Step, step, step.

She reached the lighthouse and turned back, looking at all the steps the two of them made together. He was there, just as he promised. She smiled.

She turned to the sea and stared at the waters. They were gentle this time of year, very gentle.

She took out the box of ashes and gently opened it. Then, without hesitation, she sprinkled the ash all over the coast.

She stood there for a while, looking at her wedding band with tears in her eyes. “Always,” she whispered.

When she looked up, tiny white flakes of snow began gently falling from the sky. 

With a deep breath, she walked back home, alone.

Step, step, step.

–

Image source: shariblaukopf.com/2015/09/21/good-news-and-bad-painting/
First written March 6, 2018.
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