Her Sunshine

Abandoned. Lonely. Eden roamed around her haunted mansion. The tall walls, dingy corridors and empty bedrooms intimidated her. She swept through the corridors like a spirit. More accurately, she seemed like a spirit with her gaunt face, protruding bones and unkempt grey hair. As she shuffled from room to room, she reminisced about the silence being filled by the laughter and squealing of her children. Her husband and her sharing a dance in the living room. 

Now, the rooms became a burden. An extra chore of dusting and sweeping. Glancing outside the French windows, she visioned her children frolicking about in the backyard. Weeds encroached into the backyard. Dry heads of grass danced in the wind. What a drag! She would have to call the gardener again to mow the lawn. 

A beige carpet ran across the room. Lint stained it brown. However, Eden was obstinate about disposing of it. It was a marriage gift from her late husband. She clings to it, to retain the past. After completing her round of the house, she opened her drawer. She studied each photo. The rosy, innocent faces of kids. Later in life, Eden learnt that looks could be deceiving. The difficult way.

To complete her daily ritual, she read her children's letters. This ensued into a spell of sobs. At first, the letters were long and touching, containing even the most minor details. Over time, the letters became more rushed and concise, until there were no more letters sent at all. A tinkling sound echoed. Tucker, her dog, furrowed his eyebrows at Eden, wagging furiously. Tufts of golden hair covered his eyes and snout. 

He whined and licked her tears. He nuzzled his snout in her arms. Even in the dull lighting, his golden coat shone. With benevolent eyes, he watched her. Suddenly, the standing Tucker came crashing down... His eyes rolled back and his breathing broke down into wheezes. Eden placed her two fingers on his neck and shrieked. Her precious baby!

                                                                   

Thunderous clouds blanketed the sky. The wind howled through the trees. The priest mumbled the prayers, as everyone bowed their heads in silence. Everyone's black clothing flapped in the wind. An inconsolable Eden wailed for her own child. As Tucker's coffin lowered into the ground, she choked on tears. Her two children observed her, as an alien rather than a hurt mother.

"Go on," nudged Zerk, the older brother. talk to her."

Barkley, the young sister, scoffed. She stumbled towards their mother and made an awkward attempt to pet her. To her shock, Edenslapped her wrist away. Thirty years of misery manifested.

"No," she screamed, piercing the desolate atmosphere. "No, Tucker!"

Eden charged towards the coffin, being lowered.

"Calm down," protested Barkley, as she restrained Eden's arms. 

Flailing her arms, Eden knocked Barkley over. As she glowered, Barkley crawled away in fright. For the first time, Eden made eye contact with each person present. She realised that in their judgemental eyes, she was reduced to an old grouch who required pity. A bitter pain in her chest built up.

"No one cared for me," she snivelled. "No one, except Tucker!"

Thunder crackled. The drizzle became a downpour. The people along with the priest departed under the umbrellas. Leaving Eden alone to return to her dreary mansion. 

She spent her days longing for the pattering of Tucker's paws or affectionate touch. In the morning, she would reach out her hand, expecting soft fur, but ruffled the pillow cover. As she hugged his collar, ognant memories flooded of her true companion.