Page 64 of Forget Me Not
She sank down into the grass as she wished him a happy birthday in his first language. Sighing wistfully, she added, “It’s going to rain—just like it does every year for you.”
As if on cue, thunder rumbled again.
She told him about the grant and all the pieces she finished and she told him about how well Aimi was doing with The Glass. Past a stifled sob, she told him about how well Cameron, Kayla, and her brothers were doing—scoffing when she mentioned the deadbeat husband, Tyler. Next came the story of Del and her prom dress, and of Soriah—who had lost just as much as Syve had.
Last but not least, she told him about Bastien.
“I met someone.” She cringed, hating how that sounded but unable to call Basjust a friend. “I think you would’ve liked him—you two would’ve been friends. He’s patient and thoughtful…he got our boy a birthday present.” A lone tear dripped down her cheek—or maybe it was a raindrop. “He’s been really supportive…and incredibly understanding,” she added, tucking away a strand of hair the wind had whipped into her face.
“Erhard. I will always love you.” She sucked in a deep breath. “But…I think I have a little more love to give in this lifetime.” Her voice was thick with emotion. “I tried so hard—God knows I tried—to ignore it. He makes me smile, E. Really,trulysmile. And I don’t know that I’ve been able to do that since you left me. He’s just been there. Selflessly. I know he has feelings for me—if he’s been trying to hide them, he’s done a piss-poor job.”
She hiccupped a laugh and wiped her eyes with thebacks of her hands.
“I care about him. I want him to succeed, to enjoy life and get everything he dreams of. Most of all, I want to be beside him when he does. I feel like I’m failing you. I’ve felt like I’m dishonoring you, disrespecting you and spitting on your memory.”
She was sobbing now; there was no blaming the rain that had yet to fall.
“I know,” she paused, struggling to swallow the emptiness. “I know you’d want me to be happy. That’s all you ever wanted for me. You’re probably out there somewhere shaking your head because I’ve been so stubborn about this—”
Lightning lit the sky, thunder booming a split second later, and she laughed.
“Point made.”
Eyes down, she toyed with the hem of her shirt.
“I will miss you up to the very day I see you again, but I will try to be happy until then. I’ll make sure to live the full life I know you would wish for me.”
She brought her fingers to her lips, tears slowing as warmth washed over her. Then, parting with a kiss, she pressed her fingers to the granite.
“I’d have to agree with you.”
Syve jumped, a hand flying to rest over her heart. “Jesus Christ, Gunther. You scared the hell out of me! What are you doing here?”
She took a second to catch her breath, trying to ease the adrenaline rushing through her veins. Gunther was leaningagainst a headstone, maybe ten feet away, with his hands in his pockets. He had one ankle crossed over the other and was looking at her down his nose—one eyebrow raised, and one side of his mouth pulled up in a smug smirk. It was clear he had been standing there a while.
“I thought I might run into you here.” He pushed off the stone, sauntering over to where she still sat on the ground.
The wind had picked up, the thunder becoming more frequent. Lightning flashed over the trees again, illuminating Gunther’s silhouette as he now hovered over her.
Scrambling to get her feet under her, Syve stood, retreating in an effort to put more space between them and finding herself now backed against her Husband and Son’s headstone.
“Happy Birthday, Cuz.” He leaned down, throwing the phrase around her as if the words were insignificant. When his attention returned to her, he added, “My dear cousin always did prioritize your happiness.”
“Is there a reason for you being creepy and eavesdropping today, Gunther?” Syve asked, crossing her arms in front of her. “Or, is that just your personality?”
“Creepy? Come on doll, you’re going to hurt my feelings.” He reached up, slipping a finger around a loose strand of her hair and tugging.
She swatted his hand away.
“I didn’t realize that was possible. How did you know I would be here?”
“You think you could bury my own flesh and blood without me knowing where?” he asked, voice dripping with condescension.
Syve fought the urge to cringe. “My lunch break is over; I need to get back to work.”
“I’m sure your boss wouldn’t mind if you were a few minutes late.”
“Goodbye, Gunther.” She stepped around him, walking backward, not wanting to turn her back to him just yet.
