CHAPTER 20

"We're here!" Mr. G. C. optimistically said.

Elizabeth gingerly stood up, wincing as she felt the muscles in her legs plead in tension. She took a couple of deep breaths, waiting until the anxiety passed, then took a couple of steps on her way while Melody was watching over Clayton who was wandering around the pathway.

Three months had gone by since Melody and Keith got married. The planned visit after the wedding came to a pretty pass. There were conflicting schedules at the Center and at the café. Elizabeth and Melody couldn't just leave the work at hand. It wasn't just days nor weeks but months. They had no choice but to postpone their visit several times.

The Longley family: Elizabeth, Mrs. Melody Stone and Clayton, have just arrived in Cincinnati. Though it took them months, they believed that it's worth the wait. Patience is never a problem. After all, they have not only waited for months but in reality years for what was about to happen. Ever since Elizabeth saw Mr. Clements at the Texas seminar, she and Melody have waited unwearyingly for such opportunity to come about. Anticipating the time that Mr. Clements would knock on their door expressing his love for them.

Mr. G. C. welcomed them as instructed by Mr. Clements. Mr. Clements has sent him as their guide while they're in Cincinnati. Moreover, he intended that Mr. G. C. would wait on them hand and foot as he usually does whenever Mr. Clements would have important guests and they weren't just ordinary guest but family.

"Mom, are you okay?" Melody asked. "You have been silent since we arrived at the airport," she added.

Elizabeth glanced at the worried faces staring at her. "What? Yeah, I'm good," she answered.

Everyone understood how critical the things that were about to happen. They have anticipated it for years and would really be meaningful for all the people involved. To Mr. Clements, it's his bucket list. To Elizabeth, it's her dream. And to Melody, it's her castle in the sky.

When Elizabeth noticed that they were waiting for her, she slowly opened the door. Right away, the first thing Elizabeth saw was Mr. Clements' wizened face topped with fringe of grey-white hair around his balding mottled scalp and his forlorn beaten body. She was just about to speak, but sudden recognition made it impossible.

"Hi Lizzy!" Mr. Clements said. "How are you?"

Elizabeth continued to stare, wondering what on earth happened to him. Sure, it's been more than a decade but she didn't expect to see his condition worsened. The way he talked with her on the phone, which was livelier, was in contrast by far with his appearance. She was about to say something when she realized that his eyes were ocean blue, when all along she thought they were brown. Strange.

"I take it you are Clayton," he said, interrupting Elizabeth's thought. "Hi Melody," He glanced at her as well and smiled.

As Clayton went into hiding himself behind his mother's legs, Melody didn't know what to do or did she have any idea what to say. Like Elizabeth, she couldn't believe what she was seeing. She had an idea how sick Mr. Clements was but not to the point where his face and skin were time chiseled and weather beaten. Everything seems to be a mind-boggling reality. She couldn't believe it was real. It hasn't sunk in yet with Melody. It was as if she was still dreaming just like the nights prior to their visit. Was it really a dream? It was more rather a nightmare.

Lost of time was complicated, and Elizabeth, Melody and Mr. Clements struggled with its after effects. Melody felt that regret wouldn't even be suffice to use as a description to the wreaked havoc that they're in. But when all were said and done, Melody knew that she had to project a stronger image in front of her father. Strong enough that could give him hope to live longer.

That counted for something, Melody believed. That counted for a lot, and despite the years of not being there for each other, that would always be how things should be at the present. She hoped for her father's wellness. Not just for her having a father figure in her life but for her mom, Elizabeth as well. She's aware that Elizabeth's feelings for him had never died down. She has and will always love him.

Melody squatted and rubbed Clayton on his head, "Say hi to your Dada," she instructed.

Dada is how Clayton referred to his missing grandfather whenever he asked questions to Nana, Elizabeth or his mother, Melody about his grandfather. Clayton had difficulties before in saying grandfather. He came up with the solution one day that instead of calling his grandfather, grandfather, he said Dada. It just came to him that his next father would be called dad, he thought that it would also be best for him to call his grandfather Dada. Everyone around him, Elizabeth, Nana and Melody, accepted such proposition from the little boy himself, as they saw no harm with it.

"Hi!" Clayton greeted as he continued to peek behind Melody.

All of them burst in laughter. "I'm sorry! He's just not used to new faces," Melody explained.

"It's alright. Please take a seat," Mr. Clements offered.

Their conversation was casual enough as they became comfortable with each other. It's almost lunchtime. Mr. G. C. and Anna, Mr. Clements private nurse asked to be excused in order to buy some things to eat. As soon as he heard that they were going out, Clayton begged his mother to accompany them out while promising to behave.

Melody thought it might be a good idea as she felt that sooner or later, things would get emotional with Elizabeth, Mr. Clements and her.

Mr. G. C. assured them of Clayton's safety, as he recognized that it would also be a great way for the adults to be able to talk seriously alone in the room, Mr. Clements, Elizabeth and Melody.

When they were alone, "What happened to you?" Elizabeth asked.

Mr. Clements couldn't immediately answer. The sound of her voice brought him back to their memories, the glorious and sorrowful memories of the past. "It just – it just hit me. Maybe it was the way of nature for the atonement of my sins," Mr. Clements stammered.

Elizabeth shook her head in disagreement. She and Melody never blamed him for their past. It wasn't as if he didn't love them because they knew he's a good man.

"You're a good man, Mario."

This couldn't be happening. Of all the trillion of people in the world, it had to be him. Why on earth couldn't he have a peaceful life, uncomplicated situation? She couldn't accept that Mr. Clements was in severe pain. He doesn't have to say it. Elizabeth could feel it. She understood from the moment she saw him as she opened the door. He was in pain for a long time and yet wouldn't give up.

Elizabeth stood up and asked to be excused. Without any further words, she instantly went out of the room. She didn't want to be seen by Mr. Clements crying. She wanted to give him hope to fight.

"She still loves you," Melody interjected.

She and Mr. Clements smiled. Both knew it. Elizabeth's walking out of the room is just a manifestation of such emphatic love for Mr. Clements. "I also do love her," Mr. Clements answered.

"I know you do. I can also sense your love for mom."

Mr. Clements beamed. "By the way, is your husband with you?" he curiously asked.

Melody stood up and sat on Mr. Clements bed. "Sadly, he's in Seattle for a business meeting for a week. But you would soon see him the next time we visit you," she hopefully said.

"I would like that."

She reached onto her bag and pulled out a book. It's the book that contained the letter of Mr. Clements. "I believe this is yours. Mom told me the significant value of that book. It's the first book that both of you share when you were still in Winnipeg. I don't want to take away something precious to you both." She placed the book near Mr. Clements hand.

"You should keep it." Mr. Clements paused as he noticed a paper clipped on the book. "What's that paper?"

As Mr. Clements pointed at the paper, Melody remembered what it was. Three months have passed but she hasn't read it, the letter of Eric. She has totally forgotten about it with the demanding days that kept her busy after the wedding.

"It's seems like a letter," Mr. Clements blurted out. "Is that the letter of Eric?"

When Mr. Clements spotted a confused face on Melody, he narrated to her what happened from Eric obtaining the book to his search for her in Bremerton. He also told her that Eric already knew about Clayton.

"I'm sorry! I know I shouldn't do it," Mr. Clements apologized.

She moved closer and squeezed his hand.

"Don't be. I know that you only had the best intention for doing so."

"Thank you!" Mr. Clements gave her back the book. "He has written everything that he wanted to say to you with that letter. It is but proper for you to at least read it," he suggested as he noticed that it wasn't yet touched.

"I was supposed to but I forgot about it."

"If I may, I suggest you read it tonight."

Melody just smiled.

After some minutes, the room was once again jam-packed. Laughter and smiles surrounded the room as they enjoyed some good to go meals for lunch from Mr. Clements favorite restaurant. It's a restaurant that specializes in French cuisine.

After eating, "This actually is from Mr. Clements' favorite restaurant here in Cincinnati," Mr. G. C. cited.

"I know why. You haven't changed a single bit," Elizabeth interrupted.

"How can I forget it?" Mr. Clements smiled.

"Hello! We're at a loss here. Would you too explain why?" Melody complained as the rest burst in laughter.

"Well, this has similarities to the restaurant that I first dated your mother. It became our hobby to eat there once a week," Mr. Clements explained.

"You look gleefully tired. It's time for you to rest," Elizabeth expressed.

"Come on mom! Dad is still narrating the love story I haven't heard," Melody whined.

Mr. Clements smiled. It was the first time that he heard his daughter called him Dad. Surely, it's the highlight of his day. Nothing more is so fulfilling than being called by your daughter, dad.

"We'll be back tomorrow. Let your dad have some rest."

"I would love to tell you the story you haven't heard from your mom then," Mr. Clements offered.

"That would be great then!"

Before leaving, Melody hugged him with all her strength, her own tears falling unheeded onto his neck and back as she pressed her face into him. After a while she heard nothing but the beating of his heart, the creak of Clayton's toy car as he rolled it to the floor which produced a rhythmic trance, and words Mr. Clements he kept whispering over and over, "I'm sorry…"

As the room became quiet again and as Mr. G. C. led them to the hotel that they were staying, Mr. Clements stared at the window, watching the blue sky with cloud forming varied shapes and sizes. He was smiling to himself, amused as he reminisced what has just happened. Though it was his first time meeting them, he'd seen enough to conclude that they were people whose expressions were a window to their every feeling. It was a rare quality these days. He often felt that too many people lived their lives acting and pretending, wearing masks and losing themselves in the process, they, he felt certain, would never be that way.

Mr. Clements never expected meeting them with an open heart for him. He was glad that he was able to live longer and experience such joyful moment. Since finding out about his condition, he has been prepared to face death but after what has just happened, he's now revitalized to win the battle if it means being with them more.

Later that evening and still feeling as if she were in a dream, Melody stumbled back at the terrace of the contemporary and expensive condominium room prepared for them. It's actually owned by Mr. Clements. The gorgeous five thousand eighty-one square foot apartment occupies a duplex space atop the Majestic Condominium Tower at the heart of the exclusive neighborhood near the hospital.

The interior of the condominium offered plenty of modern furniture and lighting fixtures yet carries the classic flourishes and asymmetrical hallmarks of the family style. Metallic accents and blocky geometric patterns were abundant throughout, and contrasting black and white themes seamlessly alternated with calm natural palettes matched with slick and modern furniture and finishing from black and white comfortable leather furnishings to the state of the art kitchen cabinetry and appliances to the five majestic bedrooms complete with bathroom amenities including a whirlpool bath at the master bedroom.

Mr. Clements has always been a man of vision. Without certainty, he bought the place for his soon-to-be visitors from Bremerton while planning for the day fate would allow him to meet with Elizabeth and Melody and hopefully be reconciled with them.

Everything that just happened in the morning was what Melody had hoped to be. Yet she wasn't sure how it would really turn out from the start. She had actually absorbed great stress not knowing how things were going to be upon arriving in Cincinnati. Uncertain and nervous, it would be the first seeing her father, who wouldn't be anxious?

Feeling the breeze of silence, it hasn't sunk in yet what have just happened at the hospital. There was also something that has been nagging her, something she couldn't quite put her finger on. She was forgetting about something, something important.

As much as she tried, she couldn't seem to place it. The event of the day had left her feeling drained and jittery. She looked up. Stars were beginning to light up, spread across the dark sky and the temperature was falling.

Behind her, she heard a voice saying, "Your father asked me to remind you to read Eric's letter." Elizabeth interrupted and within seconds, she was gone.

The letter. It was the thing that Melody had forgotten. Melody slowly stood up and went to the living room to reach for the letter from her bag on the sofa. Not wanting to be seen by Elizabeth or Clayton reading it she went back to the terrace.

After some minutes, she examined it. The outer envelope was with her name scribed on it. Her heart started to pound heavily. There was something frightening about the unopened letter even though she wasn't sure why. She had some thoughts on what it contained but she was afraid to know the detail. Her fear made her untouched it for three months after the wedding.

Giving in with her father's suggestion, she turned the envelope over and lifted the seal. In the waning light, she sat on a chair and ran her finger over the yellow legal paper before unfolding the pages. Finally, she began to read.

To the woman whom my heart beats for,

If you think it's cowardly of me writing this instead of saying it to you face-to-face, you're right. I'm really a craven before and even today. You can end it here and just throw this away if you don't want to continue. But this is the only way I can tell you and I have no assurance that I may not be able to tell it to you even in the future.

Melody stopped reading and looked at the letter in her hands, unable to absorb confidence to continue. Taking a deep breath, she gripped the pages, feeling the strong memories she'd been struggling with to forget. The memories she cried in pain not knowing why Eric left her. The moment she found out that she was pregnant with Eric by her side. And the moments she had difficulties explaining to Clayton where his father was.

Okay, she thought to herself. I'm ready to hear what you have to say.

… Let me start by saying this: I've come to believe that in everyone's life, there's one undeniable moment of decision to be made; a set of circumstances that would suddenly alters one's decision. For me that moment was when I have left you without a notice. You may not believe me but I didn't want to do it and yet I didn't regret doing it. I know it sounds paradoxical but it is what it is. Even if fate would let the sun return from west to east, I would do the same thing.

Dying is a strange business. Most of us are afraid to die or seeing someone who's about to die. Everything changes when one is confronted by his own death or the near-death of his or her loved ones. Cliché as it may seem, I left New York that day because I needed to be by my father's side in Newport. He was dying at that time. How can I not go if the person who raised me to be who I was, whom I believe you have loved, is about to leave this world?

I found myself reflecting on the essential actions, which I would take. Would I inform you about my absence without a guarantee of return or leave you without any notice? Whatever I chose, I was surely ended up hurting you.

I came up with the decision of letting you go without any note not because I wanted to but because I had no choice. I wanted you to wait for me but I, myself, have no assurance when would I be able to go back in New York and be by your side again.

By the grace of God, my father gained eternal peace after two years of agony. It was only then that I was free of the burden to follow my own desire that is to be with you. I wanted to see you again. Scratch that. I wanted to be with you again. But the moment I came back to New York, I knew I was already late. You were already with someone else.

That was the first time I saw your future husband. I knew it wasn't just merely a date. I saw in your eyes the sparkle that you had during our own dates. From a distance, I followed you. I saw him waiting for you after your school. I saw both your laughter and your smile while having some coffee with him at George café, the same coffee shop where we first met. I was beginning to see red but I know I'm in no position to be jealous or even get angry. After all, I was the one who left without any notice. Instead, I took it as a sign for me to stop.

There are times when we did things we cannot undo them. There are moments we lose things we cannot give them back. There are instances we hurt someone we cannot heal. I did all those things with you. I did something, which I shouldn't have done. I did lose and hurt you which I should have fought for but didn't. Not wanting to complicate things further, I decided to leave and never again would I see you.

As much as I wanted to distance myself from you, fate has made the move. I couldn't believe what I was seeing after receiving the information about the daughter of Mr. Clements. It was you on the picture but has a different name on it.

It didn't even make me hesitate to travel and confirm it even it means seeing you again. I thought I would be able to control myself. Yet, the moment I found out that you were getting married in less than a week time, I realized that I should have not come. It was a mistake for me to come back to Bremerton.

I know leaving you again without any words before your wedding is an echo of the past. However if I won't, I can't guarantee that I wouldn't try to win you back. I know that I wouldn't be able to control myself even if doing something wrong. I decided to repeat the past and this time, forever not show my face again.

I'm jealous at him and angry with myself, as I mentioned you. If he would be the one who could forever make you smile, I would gladly accept the pain of losing you. All I can do now is to assure you that you have my silence and my everlasting love.

P.S. Your son, Clayton, is a wonderful kid. It reminds me of my childhood. I maybe wrong but part of me wanted to ask if he is my son. But knowing you, you should have told me if he is, right?

Love,

Eric

When Melody finished reading the letter, she wiped her tears and ran her finger over the pages before slipping them back into the envelope.

"Mom, are you okay?" Clayton said while standing in front of Melody.

She wasn't able to feel his presence since the letter of his dad wrapped her up. Melody smiled at him and hugged him tightly. "I love you! I love you!" she whispered as her tears started to fall again.