Title: Joshua's Grave
Author: Patsy Nova (doggettdame@aol.com)
Rating: PG
Summary: I just can't tell you what it's about because that would ruin the whole point. Trust me.
In New York, a man sat alone inside a cemetery. The fog from the city floated around his cold body and surrounded the hundreds of graves that filled a whole city block. He sat on the wet grass with his knees curled around his skinny body. His face, hidden by his hands, was twisted with angst and sorrow.
In front of him, sat a fresh grave that had been set just two days before. Blooming roses were piled on top of the stone and colourful, funeral wreaths left heartfelt messages for the deceased. For a moment, the man looked up from his hands and looked at the colour surrounding the grave. It reminded him of a week before in a park with his son.
It had been early when they left the house for a walk in the park. The man had told his tiny son that they could only spend an hour there because he needed to get into work. The little boy didn't seem to notice the time or he didn't care, he just wanted to go to the park and spend time with his father.
When they arrived in the park, the little boy spotted a balloon man, walking along the sidewalk. He was carrying at least a dozen balloons, all of them a different colour. This excited the boy and he pulled on his father's jacket sleeve. He wanted a balloon more than anything. So, the father went over to the balloon man, and asked him how much. The balloon man told him the amount and the father knelt down beside his son. He asked him what colour he wanted and the little boy shouted, red.
So, the father paid the balloon man and received a giant, red balloon to give to the little boy. Looking down on his tiny face, the man saw the boy's bright, blue eyes glisten in the sun and he smiled. The boy giggled with delight as his father wrapped the balloon around his arm. He told the boy to hold on to it so it wouldn't get away. And the boy just nodded with happiness. He took his father's hand and together they walked further down the park. They passed by many people walking along the crowded sidewalks. An artist drew tourists with charcoals, a man sold hot-dogs from a big, yellow cart. All of these vivid sites amazed the little boy and whenever the passed something new he would run up to them and watch. After walking for a few minutes, the two came upon a fountain in the middle of the park. Climbing on the railing the little boy gazed at the water gushing from the top. He looked back at his dad with huge eyes and pointed to the beautiful monument. His dad had never seen the little boy so happy. He scooped him up in his arms and hugged him. The little boy laughed with joy in response.
Unfortunately, the balloon on his wrist broke loose and began to float towards the sky. The man tried to catch it, but it was too late. They both watched it drift slowly away in sadness. Then, the man looked down on his son as a single tear drifted down his fragile face.
"It's alright," he whispered in his ear. "I'll get you another one.." But, still the little boy cried as his bright, red balloon disappeared into the clouds.
Abruptly, the man found himself in the solitary cemetery again. He could still feel his son crying in his arms and he began to cry. His tan cheeks were streaked with tears and his ice, blue eyes were stricken with grief. Running his hand through his short hair, he let out a sob. He reached for his son's grave and let his hand rest on the cool stone. He rose from his tight position and kissed it, letting his lips remain on the surface for a moment.
When he raised his head to leave he paused to look back at the marker. Standing in front of the flowers and wreaths stood his small son. He had his frail arms open as if to hug the man. He sighed and closed his eyes , trying to hold onto the memories, but when he opened them, the little boy was gone. Idly, he walked away into the fog. Catching a last glimpse of his dead son and the grave marked 'In Loving Memory of My Son, Joshua Doggett'.
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