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Table of Contents
The Visitation
About the story
About the author
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The Visitation
Because I could not stop for Death –
He kindly stopped for me
Emily Dickinson
The dilapidated chair was badly worn from many years of use in the living room. It had been one of the few spots of comfort in what was now a solitary existence as an elderly widower. Taking a break from reading the mystery novel Seth yawned and stretched his arms out as he was beginning to get tired. He laid his arms on the thread bare tapestry of the arm rests of the Queen Anne chair. Wood from the frame underneath was poking through at the corners and added to the dirty and disheveled look of the piece of furniture.
He set the novel down on the end table and began looking lovingly at his wife’s portrait in its little silver frame. Her visage was frozen in time in the image and her brown eyes gazed at some unseen object. His memories traveled back in time to the studio he had taken her to so many years ago now. Those were so much happier times for the two of them. Then the memory became wispy and indistinct as it suddenly disintegrated. Oh my God! I’ve missed you Beverly for these last six years. I so wish I could be with you now where you are at. He lowered his head as he began to stare helplessly at the surface of the ancient oak end table, the memories ran rampant and unstoppable through his thoughts.
His blue eyes became glazed as he was transfixed by the images capturing his mind. The little vignettes of the years they lived together seemed to offer only the tiniest of comforts to his lonely troubled soul. Then the memory of walking by the casket that horrid day launched into his attention without bidding. That day that he knew he had to begin letting her go, but knew he would never be able to. He held every last memory close within. Those were the things that kept her alive and a part of him.
Now, six years later on this rather morbid anniversary of her death he began to cry. Emotional pain racked his body as the tears began to flow and what had been silent sobs gave way to wailing. His loud bawling filled the room as the flood began to ebb with this minute release of his internal anguish and turmoil within. It was as if a dam had too much pressure built up as happened so many times over the last few years. There was so much more though that he held within the walls he had built within himself.
Breathing deeply, he collected his thoughts together as the pain receded once more into the background. Wiping away the final tears with his hand he finally completely calmed down. His eyes now swept the room as he studied the various accoutrements of the space as he attempted to gain complete control of his emotions.
On the tables the lace doilies and other things still sat where they had been sitting for these many years. Now all of those knick knacks were covered by a heavy blanket of dust. I guess I should clean this place up a bit but for right now I think I’ll have a cup of tea before I turn in and call it a night. He picked up the novel once again from the end table he laid it down on.
Rising from the chair he made his way into the kitchen. Grabbing the tea kettle he filled it up at the sink. He set the kettle on the burner and lit the flame underneath. While the sound of the water beginning to heat reached his ears he got one of the tea bags out of its box and placed it in the cup.
He stood at the counter leaning forward slightly while he waited for the water to come to a boil. Opening his novel on the Formica surface got a few more pages in when the kettle started to whistle. With care he turned off the burner and poured some of the water into the cup he had ready. The tea bag floated silently to the top as the water buoyed it.
Carrying the cup and his novel he sat down at the table with the tea steeping. He opened the book and began reading once more. Before reading through many of the pages the over-head light flickered.
His reading momentarily interrupted he frowned as he looked at the light just as it flickered once again. Hmm, I wonder what caused that to happen. If it does it once more I think I’ll just hit the sack instead of trying to contend with the lighting. As he turned his attention once more to his story the light flickered yet again.
“Okay, that’s it. I’m headed to bed now.”
Frowning, he folder over the corner of the page and closed the book. He left it sitting on the table as he started to get up from the chair. Feeling a presence in the room watching him he stopped in mid-stream and his eyes began searching the room around him. Not observing anything different or especially anyone watching him he laughed nervously and then headed towards his waiting bed.
Entering the bedroom he flicked on the light switch. To his shock and surprise Beverly was stretched out on the bed. For several wide-eyed minutes he was frozen in place as he started at her familiar form. She’s wearing the same thing she was wearing on that day!!! His emotions swirled and contorted within him as his mind for a moment became a complete blank. The shock was so sudden and he felt light headed. Shaking his head to shake off the cobwebs he managed to finally gain some measure of control.
“B, B, Bev! I, I, I sure wasn’t expecting to see you right now.”
She wore a very serious expression as she regarded him standing there. “They sent me to come get you, it’s time Seth.”
He shook his head again to try to eliminate the confusion he was feeling. “I’ve missed you so much Bev. Can we talk for a bit first and who is it that sent you to come get me?”
She pursed her lips and thought for a moment choosing her words carefully. “I’ve missed you also but you won’t have to be alone ever again once you come with me. I can’t tell you who they are but I was sent to bring you with me.”
Seth cocked his head as he continued to look at her. “So you can’t tell me who sent you.”
Beverly sighed. “I really wish that I could but Seth I’m not allowed to however you are to come with me tonight.”
Sighing heavily he closed his eyes as he considered the request made by the woman he loved. On opening them again, “okay, what do I need to do?”
Sitting up on the bed she looked over at him and held out her hand. “All you have to do is come over here and take my hand honey.”
With love’s light shining in his eyes he stepped over to the side of the bed and reached for her hand. As he took hold of it he felt a shock flow through his body. His eyes blinked rapidly as he stood still and next to Beverly a form began to appear. At first it appeared to be hazy and then it solidified to where he could recognize his own features and gray hair. His mouth hung open as looked from Beverly to the form and back again as his understanding was enlightened.
Keeping hold of her hand he gazed into her eyes, “that is me, isn’t it?”
“Yes it is.” She nodded her head. “Well, it’s your mortal shell anyways. Where we’re going to you it won’t be necessary any more my love.”
Beverly got up from the bed continuing to hold his hand in hers. Her lips brushed his and a loud crack was heard. A doorway opened in the wall and a blinding brightness illuminated the room that came from some place beyond. He reached over and kissed her bac
k softly. When the kiss was over she smiled and guided him through the temporary passage into what would become his new plane of existence. Together they stepped through the portal. Behind them the door as all became quiet within the house once more.
The End
The Visitation
About the story
In 2002 my first wife passed away and it was really hard to deal with so in some ways I was a lot like Seth was in this story. It is probably one of the worst things I’ve ever had to deal with in my life. I really do hope that you’ve enjoyed it. In some ways it’s a story that I’ve always wanted to write.
It would be helpful also if you left a review where you got this story at.
About the author
I presently live in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Together, my wife Brandy and I share our lives with two fuzzy children in a small house. The Chihuahua is by far the funnier of the two and he protects us from dead birds, fire hydrants and statues. Basically if it’s an inanimate object he does a great job, not so much if it’s animate. The cat doesn’t do very much except tell us to go to bed when it feels that its time.
Also from Brian Bigelow
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An Ill Wind Cometh (Coming Soon)
Liturgy
A Last Haul (Coming Soon)
Horror Bent
Macabre Moments
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