My Grave Love

Every night he visits the grave... I cant remember when I started noticing it. At first, I thought maybe he was visiting family. I wanted to ask him.. But thought better of it. After all, what if it was his family? What if I had nothing special to say or worse, something so common and stupid, like; "Hope you feel better!" As if a death was some common illness. Maybe in a morbid way it was...

His hair was a soft chestnut brown. His teeth were so white, I could never stop staring. It's as if he used bleach instead of toothpaste. His body was all lean muscle and he always wore business casual. I couldn't tell if it was designer but he certainly made it look designer.

Me, on the other hand... I am rather minimalist. I mean, so much so that... I make minimalists look as though they aren't. I don't even own a mirror. You could say, I'm the sort that wouldn't even have a "in the dark shot" with a guy like him. My hair, at least, is black - its long enough I can see it. I take care of myself well, but my clothes would probably barely pass as even rags. I would like to say I have muscle but I am afraid I cant even say I am average weight for my age. Always just under.

Tonight was special, not because there was a unique event or because of any holiday. But because this would be one full year since I started seeing him visit the graveyard. He brought flowers once a week, on Wednesday, 7 P.M - On the dot. He visited every other night at 8 P.M and would bring the same book with him to the grave. He read aloud and I would listen from behind a tombstone. I have fallen in love with this whimsical Alice he reads of and have started to see him as my White Rabbit. Though he is never late, I feel like I am always racing to see him.

Tonight, I hope to actually speak to him. Maybe introduce myself. At least be friends... The wind shook the trees and autumn leaves cascaded down as hues of orange and red showered the graves. I listened carefully and heard a car door slam in the distance. With a jolt of surprise I rushed to a tombstone and hid behind it, giving the clock tower a glance. 7:59 P.M. Its him!

The iron grate creaked open and I could hear his footsteps down the cobblestone. He had the book in his hand and a bottle in the other. He looked so clean, and I had never seen him with alcohol before either. He jogged to the same tombstone which was also unusual. I have seen him stumble, and slowly approach but never jog - He almost ran to it this time. Taking a deep breath, I approached him from behind... almost unsure when to announce my presence. I was sure he would hear me approach but as I got closer I saw the book on the ground and his head was on the tombstone, buried in his arms. He sobbed, repeating the same words over and over. But they were so muffled by his arms and tears, I couldn't hear what he said.

I must have picked the worst night to approach him... but it would be weird if I ran now, wouldn't it? What if he saw me? I cleared my throat. He only continued to sob. I cleared it louder... nothing. Feeling defeated I tried one last thing. I knelt beside him, and placed my hand on his shoulder.

"I - You know, I see you visiting every night." I started. He sniffed and lifted his head a little.

"You do?" He asked, his voice sounded hopeful, shattered and lost.

"Yes. I do! I - uh... I love the story that you read! I hope this is not too strange but, my name is Emilia Lexith. I wanted to- " He flinched. I don't know what it was about what I said, but he flinched. His whole body was stiff as he visibly struggled to force his body to move. He lifted his head from the tombstone and tears flooded his eyes as we made eye contact. He tried his best to wipe them away and I saw the ring on his finger. My heart felt like it was ready to rip in two. Not only did I ruin this mans night but he was a married man. I quickly stood up and took a step back.

"No, no! Please! Don't go. I have been waiting to see you!" He yelled. I could not help but flinch at the sound. "My name, is Aldwin Lexith."

I couldn't believe it. Lexith. He was family... all this time... Then I saw the grave. Beloved Wife and Aunt. Emilia Lexith. My head began to spin. I held my head and started to scream. It felt like forever as the rain began to fall from the sky. He was silent, his cries muted behind the rain. When I had the strength to stand again, it was to see another grave. Until today, I never read any of them, but now, I couldn't believe I missed it. This tombstone had a book engraved in it, the same as it had always been... Next to a mans name.

"Aldwin... Lexith." I whispered, realizing now - He was gone.