Before Us

Prologue

“I'll see you soon” standing at the porch I waved goodbye to my Mom. Outside, a red 1968 Chevrolet Camaro was waiting for her. The driver— Mr. William, a long time family friend —opened the car door for my Mom and carefully helped her to sit comfortably. He closes the car door and heads to the driver seat. Mr. William starts the car and Mom peeked through the window, smiled and waved at me.

I tugged my shirt and went inside to see what Madeline is doing. “Madi?” knocking on her door twice, “Come in, Dad“ joyfully, she reply. I sat on her bed as she continues to search something in her closet. “What are you looking for?” I asked out of curiousity “You haven't got a chance to wave goodbye to your Grandma” I added “I'm sorry, Dad. I will make it up to Nana soon” she answered but still digging in her closet “I'm looking for the necklace you gave me on my 18th birthday, Dad. I wanna wear it on the day of my wedding. You said it was very special so I have to wear it on my special day.” Looking at her face you can see that she is so worried, her beautiful black hair tied up in a bun says that she is really concentrating on what she is doing. “Sweetheart, its okay you aren't able to find it. I'll just give you another one.” I said as if my words are comforting her. “Found it!” It was on the lid of a big white box “Maybe it fell from one of my bags” Madeline took the box out and opened it. Inside was a beautiful simple white gown, it kind of discolored due to storage. It has sparkling sequins all over and a short sleeve lace top. Madi pulled the dress out, words came out nothing from her as she gasped and admires how beautiful the gown is. “Madi, put that dress down” I commanded “Dad, can I wear this for my wedding? It would be a lot of money to save up”. From her bed I stood up and grabbed the dress from her hand and folded it. “No!” I replied aggressively “You can't!”. Madi slighty looked down and with her voice she said softly “It was Mom's huh? You wouldn't let me touch Mom's stuffs.”

A moment later after I got out from Madi's room, I went to the kitchen and get myself a glass of water. Memories... they came back, I thought to myself I don't want to remember the day that I last saw my wife, it just pains me. “Dad?” I snapped out from my thought not noticing the tear that have already fallen. “I-I'm so sorry for the way I acted up” I said focusing still on the glass I'm holding. “It's fine, Dad,” slightly rubbing my back to comfort me. “I'm sorry too” she added.

She doesn't know what happened to her mom, Maureen. I prefer not to talk about her for it only bring the memories back that shouldn't be remembered. But she has the right to know every single details, how her mom and me met, the laugh we both shared and the moment we both cherished.

“I think it's now the time to tell you, Madi”

“It's fine if you're not ready to tell me everything about Mom, Dad”

“I'm sure about this” I insisted. She just nodded as an answer.

I went to my room and took out a black notebook as Madi patiently waits for me to come back in the kitchen. “What is that?” she asked with a confused face, looking at the notebook I was holding “A journal” I replied. I opened the cover as my fingers runs through the edge and flipped some pages. Here, I said under my breath. “It will took us until morning to finish this” I let out a small chuckle when she said “I don't mind if it will took a week to finish the story, I just wanna know what happened” she smiled. I nodded and read the first two words that was written,

“It was...”