Adieu

5 years earlier.

 

     I closed my eyes, letting the cool ocean breeze blow against my face. I heard the waves crashing in a rhythmic pattern; the seagulls cawing as they gathered in flocks and landed on the shores below. The smell of the sea was inviting and salty, but I welcomed it as I bathed in the last rays of sunlight. I opened my eyes again. Night was near, and the skies had shifted from a clear blue to an auroral lilac blaze. I loved watching the sunset. The way its perfect colors shone throughout the sky and the sun’s rays would leave its last touch over the surface of the waters. Beautiful. I sighed deeply, wishing the moment would last.

     “It’s time,” I heard a familiar voice behind me say. I didn’t need to turn around to know who it was. “The captain’s calling all crew members on board within ten minutes.”

     I nodded as I turned around to face Jared. He was smiling softly. Reaching out, he took my hand, and we walked over the rocky shore and made our way to the docks. From afar, I could already see dozens of mariners flooding into the ship. It wasn’t big, but there wasn’t much to handle, either. On the other side of the dock were groups of people hopping and waving at the ship. Most were crying, others were smiling proudly. The image made my heart ache.

As if reading my thoughts, Jared squeezed my hand reassuringly. “I will be back for you, you know.” I looked away, hoping my face would betray nothing. “I know, but how can I survive six months without you? I’ll die from loneliness!” He grinned but seemed to ponder the comment.

     “Alright, how about this,” he stopped walking and took my face in his hands. “I promise you, I will write every week until I return, and poems about how much I miss you.” I nearly laughed. Jared never wrote poetry. He could hardly bring himself to write a shopping list without forgetting something.

     Several yards away, the captain caught Jared and eyed him rabidly. “Marcas! It’s your department!”

     “Interesting proposition, Mr. Marcas,” I laughed at Jared, though half-heartedly. He seemed to notice the change in atmosphere. It was time to go.

     “Alright,” he said. “I guess this is it,” he looked at me for a long minute, as if trying to memorize my face.

     “Yup. You should go.” I began to turn away, hoping he didn’t catch my tears fall. Suddenly, I felt a hand grip my arm, pulling me around. Jared held my shoulders and then leaned down to kiss me. It was soft; a whisper of a kiss, like the breath of the wind. Jared released me first and then pulled me close so his arms wrapped around me, and mine around him.

     “I’ll be waiting,” I said. He let go and pointed behind us in the distance.

     “You see that lighthouse?” He told me, “Our ship will set dock right beside that lighthouse when I return.” He looked at me now, holding my gaze with his kind eyes. “For as long as that lighthouse is lit, I know you are waiting, and I promise I will return.”

     “You promise?”

     He smiled and hugged me tightly once more. “I promise.”

     I let go and faced Jared. His face I would never forget; the way he always fought to hide his emotions; the way his smiles always reached his wonderful, blue eyes, taunting. I couldn’t forget, nor will I let myself. He reached out suddenly, and brushed my cheek with his fingers. I hadn’t noticed I was crying. I hadn’t noticed that so was he.

     With one last hopeful look, he boarded the ship. I couldn’t bring myself to wave and sob like everyone else were doing around me; it seemed despairing. I shook my head and pushed myself to a sprint. The ship blew its horns and made a final grunt before propelling itself beyond. I ran, tears streaming down my face, across the path that led to the lighthouse. Without stopping, I climbed the long flight of stairs until I reached the very top. I stop just at the edge and gazed at the ocean below. The ship was not yet far; I could see Jared searching the crowd for me. Then he knew, and he looked up at the lighthouse. He smiled at me wistfully and began waving. I breathed, letting my tears out. I knew he wouldn’t hear, but I whispered, “I love you.”

 

Author's Note

It was supposed to be one short story, but I know it gets boring when the story is just too long, and people tend to avoid scrolling over long stories; So to keep from boring the readers 'cause it's too long, I separated it into two chapters. Enjoy!

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

In my lifetime I have left many to wander off to war or far distances. I like the feel and emotion of this story. You create a story that feels real. I would not allow my wife to wait when I was deployed. It would break my heart to say good bye at the sea or the airport. The story is very good. Seemed almost real. A strong first chapter.
Coyote

[Sagar Patil]

This is quite a write! Accolades.

[TadKent]

This is beautiful. Really,very stunning. I wanna visit this town with the lighthouse. :)
Cute story/dialogue, too.