Ella Frank - Exquisite

Lena smiled,that did sound like Catherine.

“I didn’t want to go and visit my dad’s grave when he passed.” Mason said softly. “It took me a couple of months then finally I went and you know what? I have some of the best conversations I’ve ever had with him right there. In fact, he knows all about a certain stubborn doctor that I’m crazy about.”

“You’re crazy period.” she tapped his chest playfully feeling freer than she ever had. “Don’t try to blame me for that.”

“Well you certainly haven’t helped my sanity Dr O’Donnell. Come on. You’re a smart educated woman, why don’t you let me take you to visit your sister?”

Lena felt her heart clench but then relax as she watched a smile spread across his face. “After all you need to introduce me. She’ll be impressed you’re finally dating.”

Mason watched her closely wondering how far she was willing to go today. She nodded and asked softly. “Can I get another flower? That one looks a little bit sad.”

He tugged her over to where the other flowers were. She reached in and grabbed one then turned to face him. “Thank you.”

“Why are you thanking me Lena?” he reached out stroking her cheek, “You would’ve gone eventually.”

“Maybe, maybe not, but it’ll be easier with you there.”

“In that case you’re welcome.” he took the apron off then folded it placing it on the bench. He pulled his jacket down off the coat rack shrugged it on and took her hand.

“My car’s out back. Lets go.”

Lena sat silently with Mason in his car. They’d pulled up to the cemetery around twenty minutes ago and she was trying to gather the courage to get out and cross the lawn to where she knew her sister was buried. She knew the address and plot by heart, after all she’d been sending flowers to her for years. She could see a row of bright yellow flowers lining the head and foot of a grave two rows back and three plots in. She almost laughed at that thought, it was like a chess board. Taking a deep breath she opened the door. When she stepped out and closed it behind her she heard a second door shut and knew Mason had also stepped out of the car. She didn’t look over to him, just stood there looking over at the bright yellow flowers that beckoned to her. Finally she felt him stop beside her and lean back against the car.

“It looks amazing Lena. She has the brightest happiest spot in this whole place.”

Lena turned to look at him and he smiled back.

“It positively glows with happiness.”

She blinked then looked back over to the spray of flowers. Silently she held her hand out to him and not a moment later she felt him slide his into hers. Taking a step forward she felt her shoe sink into the moist grass. Keeping her eyes on the yellow flowers she made her way toward them. Mason was right beside her holding her hand tight. Keeping her steady, keeping her strong. She noticed there were four tall glass vases at the foot of the grave and four across the top in front of the headstone. Each one held three bright sunflowers all staring up at her and the sun. Happy to be alive. Catherine must’ve added the vases, and right at this moment she would’ve done anything to wrap her arms around the lady who was such an amazing woman, and who’d touched her life. Not only had she been her one constant over the last nine years but also for raising such an amazing man as the one who’d come to a silent stand still beside her. Looking over at him she did something she never would have expected, she smiled. She watched as his beautiful smile moved onto his own lips and those dimples of his appeared. Then she turned to look down at the grave in front of her and stated plainly.

“Cute isn’t he.”

That had been the last thing Mason had expected to come out of her mouth. He didn’t say anything though as he let her hand go and watched her walk around to the top of the grave. She sat down on the grass and placed her hand where the head would lay and stroked her fingers over it. Reaching out she moved two of the glass vases over to one side of the headstone then she got up and did the same to the other side. Then she went back and sat back down. He could now read the engraving on the headstone.

Carly Brianne O’Donnell

May 12th 1983 – March 22nd 2001

Beloved daughter of

Ewan & Alannah O’Donnell.

Loved and cherished sister of

Magdalena O’Donnell

“She took in all the wonders of life,

wrapped them in a colorful package

and gave it to us. She will be greatly missed.”

“Sorry it took me so long to get here.” he heard Lena say softly. That was his sign to leave.

Lena stroked her hand over the soft grass. “I wasn’t sure how I’d feel coming here. Silly I know. I’m always sure about everything right? Not this time though. There are so many things I want to tell you, but I can’t think of them all right now.” pausing she frowned and tried to think of what she’d tell her if she was standing right in front of her after nine years of being away.

“I’m a doctor now. See? All that studying finally paid off. I’m a pediatrician down at St Luke’s hospital. Remember where we took you that time you broke your arm?” she laughed a little at that.

“The time mom didn’t believe you? Yeah well that’s where I work. I love it, it makes me feel peaceful, which is kind of crazy because most of the time it’s insane there. I wonder what you would’ve ended up doing?”

Looking around at the flowers she felt herself smile. “You’re right you know. These flowers are happy to be alive. Or maybe they’re just happy to be close to you.”

Slowly she laid down resting her head on the grass. She could smell that fresh cut smell that always use to remind her of summer and sighed before whispering.

“I wasn’t ready for you to leave me. I’m so sorry Carly.” she felt a tear fall down her cheek. She smiled as she lay there. “Do you remember me telling you I’d take you to see Dave Matthews Band if you’d stop playing their CD for a whole week, because you played them to death? I couldn’t stand them because of you. Well I have a confession to make. I’m kind of obsessed with them now because I took your CD, but I never did go to their concert. It just wouldn’t have been the same without you.”

Lena found herself humming as she lay there on the ground one of Carly’s favorite songs. She broke off at the end and reached up wiping away a tear. Standing she brushed her hands on her legs.

“Before I go.” she grinned and leaned down to whisper, as though she was telling her a secret. “I think I’m in love.”

Mason was feeling pretty happy with himself when he walked into the hospital the next day. Although yesterday evening had been difficult he felt as though he was one step closer to understanding how Lena ticked. Making his way to his mother’s hospital room he stopped and watched her as she lay sleeping. His mother meant the world to him. He didn’t really know what he’d do if something happened to her. It’d been hard losing his father a few years ago but he’d been sick, and they’d known he was going to pass and he’d made sure they all knew he was at peace with himself and everything he’d leave behind. Granted that still didn’t make it easier to deal with but at least when they were gone you knew they weren’t suffering and they were finally at rest. His mother on the other hand had nothing wrong with her as far as he was aware, and the heart attack had shook him to his very core. After watching Lena yesterday fall apart in his arms he had to admit he didn’t know how he would’ve coped if his mom hadn’t made it. He moved into the room quietly and as he made his way around to the chair by her bed he saw her open her eyes. A smile lit up her face and she held her arms out to him. He walked over and hugged her tight.