Scars of the Past
One bright Spring day, Phillip and Theo were sitting in the park. They were talking about random things, as people do.
“So how did that part go again?”
“I thought I told you; You can write rhymes but you can’t write mine!”
“Woah, and you wrote that when you were nine?” She said in amazement. “I’m impressed, you really have your dad’s talent.”
“Heh, thanks,” He said, blushing a bit. “I guess I do, but I haven’t written any good essays or anything like that.”
“Oh come on, I bet you could.”
“Well, writing is harder than rhyming!”
Theo giggled. “Well still, why not give it a try Mr. Poet?”
“If you must know, I actually have tried a few times. And, well, I guess they were pretty good. ‘Course, my parents were the only judges,” He chuckled.
“And you haven’t shown anyone else, why?”
“Eh, I haven’t really had anyone else to share ‘em with, aside from my siblings. Besides, I haven’t really had much time since college.”
A random thought suddenly popped into Phillip’s head. Well, not really random, as he had been thinking about it for awhile now.
“Hey Theo, I’ve been meaning to ask; Where is your mother? I haven’t seen her since we’ve been together, is she out of town or something?”
Theodosia hesitated. She seemed… More than shocked. Phillip could’ve sworn he saw something race through her head as he looked in her eyes.
“Theo? Are you ok? Did I-”
“I… Have to go to the bathroom… I’ll be right back,” She said suddenly, standing up. Phillip noticed she was avoiding eye contact with him as she turned around. She quickly walked along the dirt path. He knew it lead to a little cafe, as they had seen it when they walked by it, yet he stared in confusion as she disappeared around the bend. He began to think. Did he say something wrong? Did he offend her? Why didn’t she want to look at him? He decided to quiet his thoughts; Heck, maybe she did just need to go to the bathroom. So he waited for a few minutes. But those minutes turned into 5, then 10, then 15. Eventually, it had been nearly half an hour and she still wasn’t back. Phillip was pretty worried at this point. He couldn’t wait any longer, so he got up and hurried along the path. It was only a five minute walk, but Philip was practically running, so he got there in under two minutes. The cafe was quiet as usual, but there was a man sitting on a bench outside the building, reading a newspaper.
“Excuse me sir,” Philip panted, a bit out of breath. “Did you happen to see a dark-skinned girl come by here?”
“A girl, you say? Well, I did someone come by here a while ago. I think they went to the left of the building,” the man replied.
“Alright, thanks,” He said, and hurried to where he pointed. The left of the cafe had a small path lined with oak trees, and a small stone bench at the end. And it was there he found Theodosia. As he got closer, he could hear muffled sobs.
“T-Theo?” He asked softly when he was a few feet away from her. She gasped and turned around. It was obvious she had been crying for awhile.
“Philip, I-I… I’m sorry…” She sputtered, more tears coming from her eyes.
“Theo, what’s wrong? If I offended you, I-”
“No, no… It’s not you..”
Philip sat down next to her. “Then, what’s wrong? I don’t want to see you upset,” he waited for her to calm down a bit before she spoke.
“Philip… I.. I Haven’t told you about my mother… Because..” she hiccuped.
“Because she’s dead.”
Philip gasped in horror. How could he be so insensitive? How could he be so stupid? He should’ve just kept his mouth shut when he had the chance…
“T-Theo… I’m so sorry, I-”
“No, it’s alright… You didn’t know,” She said, looking up. “I’m.. Somewhat used to it… But Philip… Can I tell you something I’ve never told anyone else before?”
He nodded hesitantly.
“I say that… But... It still hurts…” She began to sob again. “I still miss her, I still wonder what it would be like if she was alive… I wonder if she still loves me…”
“Theo, of course she loves you. She may be in heaven, but I know a part of her resides in you, watching over you. You may not be able to see her, but… I know that she’s there.”
“Philip… I’m sorry,” She cried, sobbing into his shoulder.
Phillip flinched slightly, not expecting it. But he soon wrapped his arms around her and hugged her gently.
“Shh, it’s alright, it’s alright,” He said softly, rubbing her back a bit.
They would sit there for awhile, and Theo eventually calmed down.
“I... I think I’m ok now Philip,” She said as she wiped away a tear. “Thanks for staying with me.”
“You’re welcome Theo. I’m here for you, alright? Come on, let’s go home now,” He replied with a warm smile.
“Yeah, I bet our parents are worried about us by now.”
The two got up and began to walk home, when Theo thought she felt something behind her. She spun around, but no one was there.
“What’s wrong? Did you leave something?” Phillip asked, turning his head.
“It’s nothing, let’s go.”
Theo held Philip’s arm as they walked along the path. But little known to them, a certain spirit was indeed sitting behind them.
And she was smiling as her daughter walked off under the setting sun.
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