The Last Afternoon

Did you go away , son?
No I'm still here Mama. I'm still holding you.
Yes I can feel that now.
How do you feel Mama? What can I bring you?
Nothing son.
Must I phone the others Mama?
No son. I just want to be here with you. Just you and me

Mama when we were young, did we make you happy?
Always. Always.
When were you the happiest?
When you all came home from school.
Were we then nice to you Mama?
No no. You all just stomped in and shouted "I'm hungry".

Did you like that?
I was so happy son. So happy.
When were you the happiest?
When you were overseas and you sent me those letters,
Yes, wherever I went I wrote to you.
I kept them all. In my cupboard in a box.

May I read them Mama.
Not now. Stay here with me. You'll see that they're all stained.
Stained? How come Mama?
I read them so many times and each time I cried.
Oh I'm so sorry.
No no son. They were tears of happiness.
I laughed softly and nodded.

Then you came home and bought a house.
I remember that Mama. In Hilda street.
And you brought me there. You said Mama this is where you will always stay.
Yes and you did. And we were happy here.
My son....my son...hold me tight.
I will Mama.
You brought me joy son. Like no one else.
Yes Mama.
Kiss me son....

I placed her head back on her pillow and I crossed her arms on her chest..
I went to put on my track suit. I'd never run 20 km before but I did that day.

When I came home I phoned the family and the doctor.

I made dinner for everyone. Spaghetti Bolognaise. It's very easy.
We discussed various matters till late that night. When the subject of the will arose, I walked outside and sat on the garden bench where my mother had often sat.

I looked at the sky and spoke very quietly. I knew that she could now hear even the softest whisper.

"Goodnight Mama. Thank you for every thing. Don't go away. I need to know you're there."