The Present
“Mr. Rooney,” said a strong voice. “Mr. Rooney,” it repeated and was accompanied by a firm shake.
Jon opened his eyes and looked up at Nathan Tate. “Shit, I knew it was too good to be true.”
“What,” Nathan asked.
“I guess I was dreaming,” replied Jon.
“Quick dream,” Nathan said. “You were out for just a minute or two.”
“Huh?”
“Yeah, probably closer to one minute than two,” said Nathan.
“But I was there for at least 2 hours,” said Jon. “I even ate there; I don’t even feel hungry.”
“Mr. Rooney,” Nathan looked worried, “I think you might have hit you head before I caught you.”
“Why do you say that,” asked Jon. “I feel like I just ate a great meal.”
“Uh, yeah you did,” said Nathan, looking at Jon like he was looking at an insane man. “Remember you ate before you left your house. You made me wait while you finished supper. Like I said,
you may have hit your head; I don’t think so, but maybe.”
Jon got to his feet. He was in the reception area; he had been on the couch. “Have that flask still,
Nathan?” he asked.
“Sure,” said Nathan as he handed the flask to Jon.
Jon drank the remaining contents of the flask and promptly began to cough and sputter.
“Easy Mr. Rooney,” said Nathan as he patted his former principal on the back. “I know this is tough on you, but you have to keep it together. Think you could look at the locket again?”
Jon stepped back. He looked at Nathan and said, “Yes, let me take a look at the locket I buried with my baby sister.”
Jon had expected to travel back in time again when he touched the locket. Hell he had hoped he would. No such luck, but upon opening the locket he nearly pissed his pants. As it was, all he could manage to say was, “Oh my God.”
“I said the same thing, if it helps at all,” offered Nathan.
Jon's head was swimming again; everything had started to take on a surreal feel. Like you were dreaming but the colors and smells reminded you that it was not at all a dream.
“When we buried Cat, it had to be closed casket. I was the last one she saw alive. I was the one that kept my parents from seeing her when they came to the morgue. Nathan she was so broken she, she, she…” Jon started to sob uncontrollably.
Nathan took the locket from Jon and looked at the picture. There stood Catherine Rooney and Frank Lane posing for what appeared to be a prom photo. Nathan was not one to be scared easily. But this photo gave him the creeps like nothing ever had. He waited patiently for Jon to continue.
“So I thought it would be a good idea if I bought a locket and put a picture of my Mother and Father in it,” Jon said. “I told my parents that way they could be with her always. So the next day I did. I got the locket and put a picture of my parents in it and went to the morgue and had the mortician put it on her. He did and I said goodbye to Cat as he closed and sealed the coffin. I stayed there until the funeral that evening.”
“Are you sure this is the same locket, Mr. Rooney?”
Jon took the locket from Nathan, opened it, and took out the picture. Behind the picture there was an inscription that read,
“I can’t see anyone but you, Cat.” Jon dropped the necklace and swayed on his feet. Nathan quickly stepped forward to grab him. Was that music Jon heard? You are here and so am I…
“Mr. Rooney,” Nathan said his voice laced with concern. “What is it?”
“The inscription is wrong.”
“Huh?”
“The inscription I had put in the locket was ‘Forever with you our Daughter and Sister’”
“I don’t understand.”
Maybe millions of people go by, but they all disappear from view. And I only have eyes for you.
That song! It was playing that night; it was the last song he heard the band play as he was told to hurry outside by Beth and Mary, and that something terrible had happened. “She was running after someone,” Jon said. “Beth told me that she had dreamed of him and that he was real. Oh my God, Nathan. It’s not possible.”
“What are you talking about, Mr. Rooney,” asked Nathan. “I don’t know what you’re talking
about; you're not making any sense.”
“I know,” said Jon simply as he bent down to grab the locket. He knew what he had to do. For once in his life, he was absolutely certain that love could conquer all.
His fingers again touched the gold locket, and his world went black once
again.
©2003 StoriesByEmail.com
|
