Whispers of Goodbye
As the waves washed up over her feet, Eve felt a warmth flush through her whole being. She knew it would not last long. It never did. She watched Samuel tossing a stick in to the water. Ben, a beautiful mix of Husky and Lab, white in color, his hair, more Husky than Lab, would follow the stick as far out in to the ocean's waves as Samuel could toss it. His head held high in the water, he would swim against the waves with ease until he reached the shore again. Running to Samuel's side, Ben would sit proudly and drop the stick in Samuel's hand, anxious for the next throw. It made Eve smile to watch them play together.
A voice called out to Samuel from just beyond the Coral rocks. The coral formed a wall between the beach and the asphalt, seperating the parking lot and sand. She knew the voice immediantly and frowned as she heard Samuel call back.
"Morgan, how did you find us way up here? I thought perhaps we might actually get some peace and quiet."
Eve had never disliked anyone the way she disliked Morgan. Arrogant and crude, he had been Samuel's partner for almost 15 years. They started a Charter fishing business right out of high school. The business had grown to three fishing vessels and six crew members and had been extremely lucrative. Morgan brought his wife along with him. Eve was glad to see Linda, though she could not imagine what kept Linda from leaving Morgan. "Looks" she would tell Eve, "Looks and money. A girl can tolerate a lot as long as shopping day is every day."
"Hello, Linda. Shopping must still be good, I see."
"Eve, you look splendid," Linda responded as she hugged Eve. "Arrogant has it's price and lucky for me, Morgan is not only able but willing to pay for the privilege of being just that. I am sorry that he decided to crash your little sneak-away. He insisted it could not wait until Monday."
"It's alright, Linda, we weren't doing much except walking. Samuel seems to be wanting to do less with the business every day. He and I are trying to rekindle some of the passion the long hours of the charters stole from us."
"Oh Eve, you really are a romantic. I say simply enjoy the benefits of their business and let the boys be boys. As long as the checkbook stays full, who are we too come between the men and their toys."
Eve smiled at Linda. She really did enjoy her company and right now, she could use a female to talk to. As the waves blanketed the sandy beach, for just a moment Eve felt the rush of heat inside. She stood still and closed her eyes, embracing the feeling for as long as it lasted. Linda watched her, studying Eve's intake and exhale of the sea's air. If not for their closeness, She might have easily passed off th dampness on Eve's cheeks as sea spray. She reached out and gently took Eve's hand in hers.
"Eve, it was a long time ago. You and Sammy have a good life. If you don't let it go, it will destroy you."
Eve turned to look at Linda. Her own tears were no less than Linda's and Eve knew she felt the pain too. She wondered silently how Linda was able to move on as if it had never happened.
"He is out there somewhere, Linda. I hear his voice calling to me from the waves. I feel his warm touch, every-time the water touches my skin. Sometimes, when the water is calm, I can see him, his arms held out to me, calling for me." Her tears streamed from her eyes as she clung to Linda's embrace. "He was a baby, Linda, and I failed him. My God, We failed them both! How can you just go on as if it never happened?!?!"
Linda pulled away from Eve's hold. She shook her head, trying to ward off the sadness that was waiting just below the surface of her emotions, to over-take her heart and soul. Anger swept in, as it often did for Linda, a barrier from the immense sorrow that would be if she didn't get angry.
"Damn you, Eve... damn you for taking me there again! I struggle every single day to Not go here! I shop and I drink a little and I tolerate Morgan's asinine ways because it is easier than remembering! They won't grab our ankles, no matter how many times we walk in the water. They will not come over the horizon and swim to us, it doesn't matter how many hours we watch the waves come in and go out! They are gone, damn you, gone! Why won't you accept that?!?!?"
"I won't accept it, ever! They are out there some-where and I will find them! The bastards that took them will pay for what they took from us. If they were gone, I would have heard Mikey whisper goodbye."
Linda hugged Eve tightly. She cried as she felt Eve's tears wet her blouse. "Honey, no one took them from us, except God. He has our babies now. Mikey and Lauren are in heaven."
Eve jerked away from Linda. Pointing her finger at Linda and shaking it frantically, she spoke. "You are wrong, Linda... So very wrong. I saw the boat and watched them take our babies. He calls to me and I, hear his whispers. Damn you," she sobbed, "I hear him whispering my name!"
