Their Special Place

Standing at the edge of the treeline, Archer Bishop looked to the field beyond his eyes. Long rows of marigolds stood side by side, their beauty calling to anyone who passed. Taking in his surroundings, he tried to submerge the memories that were bleeding into his consciousness. This was their spot. This was where they would go to escape. Endless days running through those fields, full of laughter and light, days that would never dawn again. Drawing a deep breath he willed his feet to take those much needed steps to reach the fields, the steps towards the flowers that she loved so dearly. It was a place so full of beauty and peace. A place where the sun embraced all, where the flowers danced with the wind, and the sounds blended into a harmonious song. A place she loved more than anything. Approaching the flowers he outstretched his trembling hand, pausing before he could touch the petals. Marigolds were always her favourite, especially the ones from this field. He remembered the first time Grace had led him here, like it was yesterday. It was the day after they had lost their mother.

The day they lost their mother was just an ordinary day. The sky was clear and the weather was inviting, but everything around him felt like nothing; nothing beyond tones of grey. He no longer knew how to see the world as it once was. His father became silent and as cold as the world around him felt, but Gracie, well she never stopped smiling. She babbled and laughed to herself nonstop, seemingly oblivious to what had happened, going about her normal play. After many moments of silence Grace shuffled across the room to her brother, her smile turning to a frown once she saw the sadness plastered across his face.

“What’s wrong Archie?” Her voice full of question.

“I'm just,’ needing to pause to gain his composure ’I’m just a little sad, Gracie.” Her head tilted at his words.

“Why are you sad?” Her voice still holding that questioning tone.

“Because we won't see mummy anymore.” Archer's voice cracked as the words left his mouth. He lowered his head into his hands, tears threatening to fall from his eyes. It wasn't until Gracie placed her hands on his flushed cheeks that he looked up again.

“Don’t worry Archie, mummy is still here.” I looked at Gracie with sorrow and doubt reflecting in my eyes.

“She is!’ Grace insisted, “She's still here, I promise, come I'll show you.” I gazed into Gracie’s big brown eyes - our mothers eyes - noticing a glimmer within. Interlocking her fingers with mine she pulled me from the house that was now filled with so much despair. Her little legs could only walk so fast despite her determination but mine struggled to move. The further we walked the more I fell into the darkness that had overwhelmed my senses. The light that filled our home had disappeared and now felt as void as I did. Gracie never noticed the change in me as she continued to drag me along the beaten path behind our house.

“Don't worry big brother, it's not far.” There was so much joy and happiness in her voice, you wouldn't have believed she would have suffered such a loss. Especially one so recent.

“Gracie, where are we going?” I tried to keep my voice as neutral as possible, disallowing the emptiness I felt to come through. “Gracie, come on we should really head back, I'm sure father will be starting to get worried,” yet I knew that wasn’t the truth.

Ever since they arrived home from the funeral his father hadn't uttered a single word. He would walk through the house like a ghost and sit by the window never taking his eyes off the horizon. It was like he was waiting for his wife to come home after a long day.

Gracie turned to look at Archer, her eyes wide.

“Don't you want to see Mumma?” Her gaze held something that left him without words. Archer just nodded. humming, she turned away and continued to walk. No more than five minutes later she let go of his hand and started to run - giggling louder than Archie had ever heard before.

“GRACIE!” He called for his sister, racing after her. Where he struggled to manoeuvre, she bobbed and weaved with ease. Approaching the end of the path, a bright white light beamed through the trees ahead, blinding him to a standstill. As his eyes adjusted, he found himself holding his breath. Gracie was now a few metres in front of him, still running and laughing with the wind. Beyond her he saw a field of Marigolds. Beautiful flecks of yellow swam upon a sea of green for all the world to see. The sight that had captured his breath moments earlier now pulled him closer. How could something so beautiful and full of spectre live in this kind of world.

The warmth of the sun seemed to replace the chill in his bones, the light filling in his darkness.

“Can you feel her?” He turned to face his baby sister who was looking up from behind the flowering shrubs.

“Feel?” Archer questioned. Grace started spinning - her arms outstretched to brush the flowers around her.

“Mumma, can’t you feel her?” Archer turned around trying to search for his mother, trying to find any traces of her. It wasn't until he felt his sister's hand slip into his that he turned back.

“This was our special place” Grace squeezed Archer's hand tighter “our little Eden Mumma called it and now it's yours too.” She looked at her big brother with the same hue of light as flowers that surrounded them.

“Here you will always be with Mumma whenever you need. As she will be with me.” As if summoned, a slight breeze embraced the two, leaving them with a warm feeling they would always remember. He closed his eyes and felt his mum embracing them like the wind.

Every day after that one he found himself in this field - Gracie by his side - talking to the flowers about their day. Laughing and playing without a care in the world. It did in fact become their own piece of Eden, just like little Grace had said. A little piece of heaven right here on Earth, just for them. That was until the day Gracie followed their mother into the light. It was unbelievable that someone so tiny could be so full of life one day and not wake up the next. It wasn't fair and no amount of time made that loss hurt any less. After that he struggled to return to the marigold fields.

A tear slipped from his eye as the memories filled his being. Standing by the fields for the first time in 8 years, they still held the same light and beauty as the day he left them behind. The same warmth filled the air and he knew that if he closed his eyes he would still be able to feel his mother right by his side. A familiar warmth that was joined by another.

“DADDY!” His head snapped towards the source of the sound. A bubbly little girl dressed in yellow came running across the hill towards him. Trailing was a woman with a swelling belly. The little girl dived right into his awaiting arms, swinging her around before settling her on his hip.

“Ah there’s my girl, I thought you were waiting in the car?” The child giggled in response.

“You were taking too long so mummy said I could come find you.”

“Oh did she now.” His face turned to the beautiful woman that was slowly approaching them.

“Hey!” The smiling woman called out as she reached them. “I thought we were a team, little miss. I can't believe you gave me up so easily.” The girl giggled before reaching for her mothers arms.

“We are but only if daddy's is in it with us.” The mother's nose touched the little girl's, smiling she replied.

“Of course.” Archer looked at his family before turning back toward the field. Sensing his sadness his wife placed their daughter down and slipped her hand into his, pulling him closer.

“This is the place hey?” She and Archer shared a glance. “It's beautiful, thank you for sharing this with us.” she said, placing her head on his shoulder. They stood and watched as their daughter danced amongst the flowers like his sister once did.

“They would want you to see this place, to feel its warmth,” He turned his head to look at his wife, squeezing her hand tighter, “for you and Grace to feel their warmth.”

His wife smiled at him with nothing but pure love. She let go of his hand and walked to join their daughter. Moments later a wind blew through the field rustling the flowers and surrounding him like the warm embrace he knew so fondly; a small sound passed through his ears. He knew if he closed his eyes he could picture his mother and Gracie hugging them all, whispering to him that it is okay and that they will always be by his side. Allowing the tears to roll down his cheeks, he took one last look at the flowers around him. He knew that no matter where life took him, he would always be able to close his eyes and imagine his baby sister holding their mothers hand walking through those fields of marigold.