Day 20: Stargazing
@kingdonmicrofic | 499 words | Rated G (but there's angst) | Read on ao3 | Previous installments here
July 28, 2031 (17 Weeks)
When Mel was 10, the only thing in the world she wanted was a telescope. She begged for one not knowing how expensive they were, or how tight money was.
When she didn’t see one beneath the tree on Christmas morning, she choked down her disappointment. Big gifts like that were always joint anyway, shared between the sisters.
After opening gifts, her mother exclaimed, “Peter, there’s one missing!” Her father chuckled, “Why doesn’t Mel go check the porch?”
Mel’s heart leapt into her throat as she ran outside. There, topped with a bow, was a telescope. Her telescope. She couldn’t believe it.
Becca whined, “No fair! Why does Mel get an extra gift?”
You get everything all the time, Becca, Mel thought to herself.
“Now Becca,” their mother soothed, “you got plenty of presents. Let’s try your new paints, hmm?”
Her dad wrapped her in a warm hug. “You’re a good kid, Mel. I know it’s hard sometimes, but you never complain. Merry Christmas, kiddo. We love you.”
That was the last Christmas Mel had with her father.
After the funeral, she pointed her telescope towards the heavens. She thought if she just looked hard enough, she’d find him up there, nestled among the stars.
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Though she’d sold her telescope years ago, Mel never lost her love of stargazing.
She hadn’t done this in a long time. Mel sat on her and Frank’s deck, identifying the familiar patterns while she spoke.
“Hi mom, hi dad. It’s…been a while. I’m not sure if you’re really up there, but if you are, I hope you can hear me. There’s some things I’d like to say.
“Do you remember the telescope, from Christmas? God, I loved that thing so much. Back then, I used to think Becca getting ‘more’ than I did meant you loved her more. I know that’s not true. You did the best you could. And truthfully, she did need more. But that doesn’t mean it didn’t hurt, that I didn’t have anger and resentment towards you, towards Becca. It took me years to work through, to not feel guilty for it.
“But I realized that’s why you got me the telescope. That was your way of making it up to me. Giving me something special, just for me.
“Did you send Frank to me too? For the same reason? Part of me’s always wondered."
Mel put her hand on her belly, her tiny bump finally starting to show.
“I’m expecting our first baby in January. I’m so excited to be a mom. I couldn’t have asked for a better man to do this with.
She closed her eyes.
“I need you both to know that I love you, and that I forgive you. Thank you for all that you did for me. I miss you both, so much, but I’m also so happy with my life now. I don’t take any of it for granted.
“Anyway, thank you. For sending him. For hearing me out. I love you.”
