Short Story: It's Not Dark Yet

Short Story: It's Not Dark Yet

I slip up the backstairs. I’m no stranger here but I tread softly, find your room, slip in like a shadow, sit on your bed and lay one red rose against your cheek. Dylan murmurs in the background. He is the soundtrack of our life together. Remember how we ‘sat together in the park as the evening sky drew dark’ – you looked at me and I felt a spark tingle to my bones. That’s a ‘Simple Twist of Fate’, isn’t it? That’s what you said life is, just simple twists of fate, and I said, no, life’s what happens to you when you’re busy making other plans.

One red rose against your cheek. Am I to be the Prince who wakes you from your slumber? I lay fingertips on your lips. Against the paleness of your skin your lips are blood red. My love is like a red, red rose. What was it you used to sing? ‘And I will love thee still, my Dear, till a’ the seas gang dry.’ I brush away the tear on my cheek. I don’t deserve you. I never did. I never will. But I’ll go on trying – till ‘a the seas gang dry, my love, till a’ the seas gang dry.

The warmth of your breath on my fingers makes me smile. You’re breathing through your mouth. You said you don’t but you do. I’ve spent so many hours watching you through the night. You begin breathing through your mouth; they sound like little sighs. You give a little ‘hhrrumph’ of annoyance, close your lips and begin breathing through your nose again. The smile on your lips makes me smile. You’re smiling now. I wonder what you’re smiling about. Are you dreaming? Is there enough room in your dreams for me?

I look around the room. Shadows are falling. I set this room up for you. I know the way you like things. There’s your mum, your dad, your sister, your brother. There’s us, on the ski slopes at Aviemore, me on my arse in the snow, you standing over me, laughing, laughing with me, not at me. Seems like only yesterday. Valentine’s Day, on the slopes at Aviemore. And I know you don’t like flowers in your room, but I’m hoping you won’t mind this single rose because today, too, is Valentine’s Day, and I’m here to keep my promise.

It’s a year since they gave us the news. They wouldn’t let me be your consultant – too close they said though I could never be close enough. And, as you drifted away, you made me promise. And if it were not to be me, who else could it be?

So, love of my life, I’m switching off now. And I will lie by your side, take you in my arms, and hold you till a’ the seas gang dry, my love, till a’ the seas gang dry.

And it’s not dark yet – but it’s getting there.