Photo by Seamus Murphy, “East of the Sun”
Fog blankets the lake, covering the sunbeams from rippling on the gentle waves of the lake. Two men try to pull a rusted boat out of the blurry water.
CAMILE, 19, spots a large rock near the coast and slowly walks over. She sits down, her elbows placed on her knees, her back slouched.
The wind coats her funeral dress, sending shivers down her spine. She stares off into the distance of the mountains surrounding the lake.
Her eyes fall to her feet, kicking little pebbles beneath her souls as light peaks out between clouds. Her eyes follow the light. A tear falls down her left cheek.
RICHARD “PAW PAW”, 63, Camile’s grandfather, appears faintly in spirit form. CAMILE dries her tears and focuses on the hustling sounds of the men linking the boat to the back of a red car.
Don’t you just wanna go up to them and tell them that piece-of-junk boat isn’t worth the struggle?
CAMILE shifts quickly to her left side, where PAW PAW sits, chuckling, observing the men with the boat. Tears well up in her eyes. She appears confused, her brows furrowed while she stares at PAW PAW, tears rolling down her red cheeks.
PAW PAW looks at her, sighing.
We all knew it was coming, my Dear, you just didn’t want to believe it. But, you do know I’m always going to be here with you, don’t you? As well as any of your ancestors. We’re all here,guiding you to the right path. I’m always going to be here with you.
PAW PAW wraps his arms around CAMILE, wiping her tears with his thumb. Her brown eyes travel up to meet his eyes.
Her mouth forms a gentle smile as her breath hitches, throwing herself deeper into his embrace. The sun beams directly onto them as the clouds float away on both sides of the sun.
Her trembling hands meet his, wrapping her fingers tightly around his big hands. She sniffles and moves back, showing her red eyes as she looks up at PAW PAW.
The pine trees around them rustle from the wind. Pebbles shuffle on the ground as CAMILE adjusts her feet beneath her.
PAW PAW leans in and kisses her on the forehead, squeezing her hand harder.
The red truck leaves, the sound of the boat being dragged behind them getting more distant. They are alone.
Another gust of wind blows as PAW PAW’s long, silky black hair flows behind him.
I promise. I love you, my Dear, don’t you forget it.
CAMILE, croaking, lets out a large cry, still, suppressing her cries. Her lungs rapidly breathe in and out in an attempt to calm herself down.
PAW PAW caresses her arm one last time, moving a strand of her dark brown hair behind her ear.
Goodbye, my Dear. I’ll see you soon.
PAW PAW fades away as the sun beams brighter in his place.
CAMILE lets out a loud cry, falling into a contraction of loud sobs.
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