The first month after Pecha’s death had been hell. Olimar had always believed in his heart that he would be the first of them to go. How could he not be? He’s the one constantly going off on dangerous jobs. He’s the one who almost met his end multiple times already. He’s the one who deserves to be cold and lifeless, scattered amongst the stars.
How could she have left him like this? How could she have left their children?
Olimar had told his kids that their mother was still with them in the warmth of the sunlight on their faces and in the twinkle of chimes on the porch; it took him seven weeks to realize that his words were a little more literal than intended.
“It’s not that I want her gone,” he explains to Vivi. “Quite the opposite! If her spirit could remain with us… that— that would be a miracle. It’s simply that she, um. Hasn’t taken to being dead very well.”
What a thing to say!
“She’s frightening the children. They keep thinking they see her in the kitchen, or in our bedroom, and I just don’t know what to say to them. I feel half-crazed even speaking to you now.”
Olimar cradles the set of wedding rings in his hands, looking down at their dull golden shine.
“I know how this sounds. People lose their minds with grief all the time, don’t they. But surely you of all people will understand. Pecha— my darling, beautiful Pecha! She won’t stop haunting me!”
@viviskull !