CHAPTER 22

Singing Under the Stars

♧

Lena held the poem in her cold hands as she lay still against the wall by the window. The poem she didn't read yet was opened but kept closely against her bosom. The countenance she had was something no one could describe in words. But it seemed to express a look of faith and courage. She was a symbol of devotion. When she was ready to read the written words before her eyes, she sighed to begin over the old piece of paper.

The hours we share

The eyes that shine green

Can't tell how it gleams

Dear Madonna, you look lost to be here

I, however, will show you if you let me

Dear lost soul, I can't go on like this

I'll take you so that we can be there by each other's side

Please come to me and bear to wait

Spell the answer, my Lena, for I want to know what you mean

No answer, I'll wait for you till my heart ends a beat

-James Allan

Short and simple. Somehow sweet. He had a way with words and somewhere in it-it sounded like him then. Her mind brought a quote from what Olivia used to say,

"He shall go, yet the lover will stay." Matched by the event an hour ago. The heart of hers was never wounded nor neglected. She sat up and folded the piece of paper.

Up she went the stairs and stood before the door where she peered in to see Serena's room. A small form was curled, leaning over her knees on the bed. Her face was morose and she acted fairly quiet as soon as she got home. Lena's attention towards her sister grew in concern when she managed to sit beside her on the foot of the bed.

"What's with the silent mood, Serena?" and there fell a pouty look from the child.

"Argh-It's about Aileen. She called me just now if I can come to her house for mother's day this week. Almost all of the kids in our class will bring their mothers and I've got no mother with me. So I said I want to come, but I didn't tell her about mom because I was ashamed to tell. Everyone will bring their mothers. Although I want to imagine you as my mom, Lena. I mean you always take care of me since when I was a baby. That's what a mother does, right? They'll take you as my mom if you can come with me tomorrow."

"They will find out eventually, little sister."

"Yes. I know." She murmured as her little head lowered in sorrow.

"But if they find out, they'll make fun of me. Especially the boys and Dan," Serena lamented in sheer worry.

"How do you know if they'll make fun of you?" Lena inquired in a mild voice.

"I just know it. I know Aileen won't, but the rest of the girls will. They'll always poke you for fun if you don't have something they have. Just like last time in school, Molly borrowed her brother's goggles when we were in swimming lessons because she didn't bring any. Then the rest of the girls in the swimming pool snickered because it wasn't girly enough and it was too boyish to use, so none of Molly's friends sat next to her during class. Because normally the girls in our grade wear those sparkly white, pink or purple ones and you must wear it or else no one will want to sit next to you except the boys. It's a nightmare and then you'll be laughed at as a couple if any girl sits next to a boy. Oh, will you still come and not tell them?"

"Of course, little sister. I can come with you and I will avoid saying anything that makes you feel embarrassed." Lena pushed aside her little sister's hair from her droopy face. "You know, Serena, the kids will not make fun of you. I don't think they dare to because their mothers won't laugh when it comes to matters like this. Everyone will understand and they will not make fun of you, believe me." and Lena wiped off the child's hidden tears under her thick lashes. Then not a minute passed, Serena began to burst out a sob.

"Hey, Serena." Lena hugged her little sister soothingly. "You can always count on me."

Her weep of woe lasted only for a short time. Serena straightened herself with a sniff and wiped off the tears again. Making an effort not to cry. The child didn't like to show her pain especially when it comes to her sister.

"Can we go to her gravestone today?" Serena suddenly asked.

Lena nodded without hesitating.

"Sure. I'll get the car started, okay?"

It was Serena's turn to nod her little head.

Every of the dead was laid under the earth where dark hidden secrets of the past remained in the roots of the soil. The ominous atmosphere was haunting despite the evening hour. It was cold, but not heavy with snow. Beyond the sky, birds flew by.

The Foster sisters wore their winter clothes in the graveyard of their mother. Serena brought a bouquet of flowers in her hands and stooped down to rest it across the gravestone of Mrs. Foster.

They stood there before the gravestone for a while and gravely stared down to see that the written words were half-covered in white crystalline snow. The winter wind howled lightly against the pale silhouette tree and beneath the crinkled leaves. The emptiness of the graveyard was merely filled and welcomed for the dead. They were in fact, the only living beings who were there. Not wasting any time, the Foster sisters left the misty place.

In the garden of their house when night came, Lena sat in the patio under the roof where stars glinted above the dark southern sky. All alone but not lonely.

Her green emerald eyes wandered around the shimmering stars above. Thoughts came floating in her mind- not one of those ideals or nonsensical notions, or whatever sort of irrelevant ideas that came into her mind. She wasn't even thinking about her memories or flashbacks in the first place. Lena had tried to leave the past behind her. As a young woman, she would have to move on from the burden she'd put on herself all this time.

At this moment, she was not in the mood to dwell in the past. Lena would rather brush the burden off and would get rid of every morose thoughts. A sudden eagerness took place, and she felt the need to do it under the stars. When she began to sing, a great relief swept over her. With a fine voice, her aura shined. It was as if she was a pretty picture, a rose that bloom. Each time she raised her voice, the ardor grew. It was exceedingly pleasant to look at if there were anyone witnessing the wonderful scene.

She was still singing along under the starlit sky. The world seemed to leave her a good impression of life and the beauty within it. Unconscious of the mere sight behind her, a sound of a creak from the door was heard and a shadow lurked. Lena suddenly saw a dark form holding a sharp knife behind her presence. Bolting up to her feet, a sudden gasp of horror escaped from her mouth the moment she turned.

Hoo-hoo scary isn't it?

No? Okay, it's okay. This is just a wholesome novel. I assure you, there will be no murders in this story. I just wanted to see your reaction that's all.