- Steele's Midnight
Date: Wednesday, November 1, 2000
FAITHVSION@aol.com <FAITHVSION@aol.com>
Steele's Midnight
title by Karen
story by Nancy2
permission to archive
It was a crisp fall night. The leaves rustled as the solitary
figure strolled through the trees. The clear night and full moon
illuminated his path among the white stones. "He's back,
He's back" whispered the trees. Each tree stirred as he
passed and then was silent. His gait was purposeful, he looked
straight ahead. Each night for five years he walked the narrow
path, sleep no longer a part of his life. What life he had left.
It meant little without her in it. He still couldn't bear the
thought of a day or
night without her. Work kept him busy, not busy enough. His head
swam with images of all she never got to do. Things she should
have done. Wasted years, missed opportunities. God this was hard!
Nothing had ever been harder than bringing her here 5 years ago.
He would gladly have traded places. Was this punishment for previous
indiscretions?
Then he brightened as he remembered her laugh and her smile,
still as clear as when he last saw her 5 years ago. Had it been
that long? It couldn't be that long ago.
An owl interrupted his thoughts "Whoo? Whoo?"
"If only you knew" whispered the trees.
His long stride carried him to an angel perched atop a granite
stone. Her arms stretched out to the brilliant stars above. The
full moon shone on her smiling face. It was a well tended grave,
small rose bushes framed the sides . He placed a small jack o'lantern
in the middle, carved by young
hands who still didn't quite understand. He lit the candle, an
eerie light spilled out on the stone. He paused and read the
inscription, a hymn they had heard on their last trip
together:
In My Fathers House
There are Many Mansions
Prepared for Those
Who Truly Follow Me
They will Shine like Stars
In the Firmament of Glory
Yea they shall Forever Abide with Me
Then be Ye Comforted
My Chosen People
Tho Dark seems the Day
And the Vision Tarry Long
Foir Lo in the East a Golden light is Beaming
Then with Songs of Rejoicing
Sweet Praise Prolong
She had loved the hymn , she sang along with the tape all the
way home. A week later she was gone.
"Whoo? whoo?" the owl cried.
"A great love" whispered the trees.
The sound of laughter broke the stillness. Startled he looked
up. There was nothing there, just blackness.
"You aren't alone " whispered a tree.
"She is here! she is here!" the others joined in.
Laughter sounded again, then all was still.
Every night for five years he heard her laugh.. .
The rustling of the trees announced another visitor. "He
is here. Go to him. He is here. Over there."
She usually stayed in the shadows, giving him his time with her
uninterrupted. He thought he left her sleeping. She always followed.
Sleep was no longer a part of her life. Her life was also changed
on that awful day. Had it really been 5 years? It couldnt be
that long..
The inscription on the stone shone in the candlelight:
Emily Elizabeth Steele June 5,1988-November 23,1995
She remembered the newspaper headlines.
Killed when a classmate opened fire at her school. An innocent
bystander.
"Harry!" he turned to see his wife. "Does Emily
like her jack O 'lantern? "
"Laura I didn't mean to wake you.. who's with the children?"
"I woke the nanny before I left, not to worry."
"Will it ever get easier Laura? After all these years I
still ask why? Why our child? Why such a violent death for my
little girl. I come here every night looking for answers I guess,
or a sign she's ok. Anything." his voice trailed off "I
miss her so much Laura!"
"You know I follow you every night, I hide in the trees.
I don't sleep either. I keep wondering if I could have done something
different. If I could have prevented this. I don't know . I miss
her too. I'd give anything to have my little girl back. or to
know she's ok wherever she is."
The stillness broke with a large gust of wind. Leaves swirled
around Harry and Laura , so thick they couldn't see. Then just
as quickly it was gone. Harry turned to relight the jack o 'lantern.
It was gone. He looked up at the
angel. The pumpkin rested in her hands. The candle burned brighter
than before illuminating the message in the leaves: "Hi
Mom and Dad".
"Well Laura, I believe she likes her Jack O' Lantern "
The sound of child's laughter echoed through the air as Harry
and Laura headed for home.
Disclaimers and credits:
don't own em, just borrowed em, don't sue me.
- permission to archive
"In My Father's House" Shaker hymn from MT Lebanon
NY(no copyright info on the copy I have)
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