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The loss of love in all its forms seems to be firmly entwined within the very fabric of life's intricate tapestry. The heartache it inevitably unleashes becomes an intolerable burden, at times plunging you into the deepest depths of despair and suffering. It seems that it is only in those darkest times that your quest begins in earnest to seek out answers to quell your inner turmoil. Maybe that is the truest purpose of suffering in your life, to propel you on a journey to the revelation of your true inner power as a Divine being. "The Well" is a fictionalized journey of such a discovery; where Lilly, overcome with grief following the death of her son, seeks to end her own life in the forests of Michigan. Her intention, however, is thwarted by the accidental plunge to the bottom of an old farming well. Through her haze of confusion, Lilly is confronted by the image of a man who calls himself the Prophet. As he projects back to her scenes from her past, the prophet reveals the hidden nature of her reality and how she is a powerful co-creator within the Divine Mind of the cosmos. Lilly is at last able to see, that lying within the synchronistic events of her life, there is a far deeper meaning and purpose than she ever could have known.For those who have eyes ready to see and a heart willing to heal, this story is for you.
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THE WELL
Revealing the Hidden Nature of Reality
By Lilly Andaman
Copyright © 2024 Lilly Andaman
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher and copyright holder; except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
For Mitch, Richie and Grace the stars in my Universe
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 14
CHAPTER 15
“Is not the quest for reality in a world of illusions the task for which each comes into the world?”
Manly P. Hall
CHAPTER 1
Empire, Michigan
21st December 2012
The thought of her mother’s words emerged clearly into her mind, as if she were standing there whispering into her ear at that very moment. She turned her head ever so slightly, acknowledging an eerie presence.
“Lilly” she said, “The hardest thing about life is living it. The rest is easy.”
At the time, as an eight-year-old she didn’t really understand what she meant. But now, at this moment 20 years on, she understood perfectly well. In fact, it seemed a silent prophecy.
Lilly returned her focus to the bathroom basin and the flow of blood winding its way in a circular motion towards the abyss of the plug-hole. It mesmerised her. The elixir of her life being offered from the chalice of her body; a sacrifice; a gesture of her surrender to the overwhelming despair that had engulfed her being. The sign of the cross, engraved deeply within the pink flesh of her wrist, was now a visible symbol of the ultimate abandonment by that of her God.
She felt no pain despite the deepness of the wound. Physical pain had been obliterated by the constant emotional numbness that she had felt for months. The release of her blood provided a temporary relief, even if only for minutes until it congealed and ceased to flow; a sign of her body’s innate wisdom to ensure the preservation of her life, despite her deep longing to the contrary.
Lilly placed the blade gently on the edge of the basin, satisfied that the task was complete. She opened the bathroom cabinet in front of her to retrieve a bandage to swathe her bloodied wrist. The multiple bottles and coloured packets of medication stared back at her; their promise of lifting the dark cloud of despair that was her constant shadow had remained unfulfilled. Nothing seemed to help. But then, how do you heal a broken heart, she thought.
She took the soft white bandage from the shelf and closed the cabinet door. The mirror on the cabinet provided a brief opportunity to catch a glimpse of her reflection, as her tired brown eyes stared back at her, moist from tears. Her long, brown hair draped to her shoulders, enjoying the freedom from her usual style of wearing it up. Even without make-up, the features of her face exuded a natural beauty. Her sadness stared back to her as a perfect reflection of her broken heart; which caused Lilly to quickly look away and return her attention to her bleeding wound.
She started to wrap her wrist with the soft bandage; the blood was seeping through and leaving its blotchy, red pattern with each turn until eventually, it was hidden from view. Lilly turned the faucet on to wash away the blood and return the basin to its pristine white. When satisfied with its cleanliness, Lilly left the bathroom and moved back down the hallway towards the living room.
As she reached the blue, panelled door with its gold-coloured door-knob, Lilly paused for a moment, then opened the door and entered. The little bed with its red racing car bedcover was perfectly made, guarded over by a vibrant yellow Winnie-the-Pooh bear sitting on the pillow.
Lilly sat down on the bed and picked up the book that lay on the bedside table under the lamp; the title “Pinocchio” was neatly embossed in silver on the front cover. As she flicked through the pages, Lilly remembered his beautiful laughter when she had read his favourite book to him at bedtime. We never did get to finish it, she thought to herself. She clutched the book to her chest, not wanting to put it down. As she looked around the room she took in the toy box filled to the brim with colourful toys, the wooden bookcase laden with various books neatly stacked and the little brown boots standing together as loyal companions.
It was so very quiet and had been like that for a long time. She could still smell him; still feel him, as if he were an unseen part of her. Lilly finally placed the book back down and with a deep sigh, stood up. She left the room and gently shut the door; locking the memories in a timeless vault yet again.
Lilly walked into the living room and stood for a few moments staring out of the large panoramic window. Her eyes settled on the swing set and slide, lightly covered in snow in the yard, silent and still. Behind it lay the vista of Lake Michigan in all its expanse and beauty. The view reminded Lilly of the glorious sunsets that the lake shared each evening; like a blessed, endless gift, freely given with no thought of return.
Continuing with her reminiscence, she turned her gaze towards the large, jarrah-framed picture hanging above the stone fireplace. Knowing this would be the last time, she savoured every last reflection and memory being offered up in this moment. The photo was her favourite, a moment captured forever in the annals of time. The Point Betsie Lighthouse, with its fire-red roof, surrounded by icy-white snow mounds, stood proudly in the background. Lilly looked at the photo of herself, locked in a loving embrace with her young son and husband; laughter and love etched on their faces. A snowman with stony eyes and stick nose, crowned with a woollen blue and red beanie, completed the montage.
How quickly life can change she thought. It seemed as if grace had turned on her in apparent rage. “Why? Why me?” she had asked the heavens. The answer had never come, despite her desperate prayers. But now it didn’t matter. Nothing mattered to her anymore. It was too late for answers, even if there were any. With her reminiscing complete, Lilly decided it was time to leave. She moved slowly to the kitchen and collected her car keys and the rope that lay patiently awaiting its purpose on the kitchen table. She took one final look around, satisfied that everything was in its place, left neat and tidy the way she had always preferred.
Lilly walked slowly towards the front door and took her jacket from the hall stand. As she opened the door the cold air slapped her face and entered her warm lungs. Putting her jacket on, she left and shut the door behind her. She stood for a moment on the porch looking at the surrounds of her peaceful neighbourhood; scattered leafless maple trees patiently awaiting the return of their green leaves in spring.
Lilly walked down the steps to her Volvo parked in the driveway and lightly covered in snow. She brushed away the snow from the windscreen, feeling the iciness bite into her bare fingers. Climbing into the driver’s seat, she placed the rope on the passenger seat.
As she slowly reversed her car into Lake Michigan Drive she headed back towards the village of Empire. Lilly had lived in the village since childhood; enjoying the adventures of the national parks and sunny days on the beachfront with her family. Her parents had eventually moved to Florida in search of sunshine and her sister, now happily married with children of her own, followed her husband’s new work promotion to Toronto. Despite missing them dearly, Lilly had decided to stay on with intentions to raise her own family here. She hadn’t spoken to them in months as her deep despair took its hold and she withdrew into its dark cave of isolation and solitude.
As she passed the Manning Lighthouse, she contemplated the multitude of lighthouses that dotted the shoreline of the vast Lake Michigan. Each lighthouse was a symbol of an enduring legacy and commitment by its keepers to ensure a safe passage home for the lake’s adventurous seamen. The guiding light illuminated the darkness and revealed the hidden shores. A loss of a single life was considered intolerable.
She pondered the irony of her own situation. Where was her lighthouse? What happens when a soul is so bruised, so lost on the sea of darkness that the light of life can’t be seen through the storm? Who guides the way then, when the will to live is lost? No-one, she thought, no-one. She had never felt more alone than at that moment in her life. A war raged in her mind and the ache in her heart was relentless. Her hand moved to clutch at her chest, clinging tightly to the front of her jacket. How she wished she could reach in and take hold of her heart in her hands and comfort it, to stop it from its constant throbbing of pain. “Please Godstop it, please,” she spoke out loud.
She turned her car to drive one last time up Empire’s Front Street. It was quiet. In summer the village was filled with tourists enjoying the beach and the nearby Sleeping Bear Dunes, but in winter the village enjoyed a peaceful solitude. Lilly slowly drove past the market and tavern, then the Secret Garden gallery with its quaint ornaments displayed in the window; everything carried with it a host of memories.
As she drove the image of her husband flooded her mind. The month since he had left had felt like eternity, but the scene replayed clearly in her mind as if it had happened only a few moments before.
He had stood there in front of her in the very room she had just left. With intense rage in his eyes and anger in his voice that seemed to erupt from a hidden place that could suppress it no longer.
“He was our son, for fuck’s sake Lilly.”
“It was your responsibility to keep him safe; was that too hard? Was that sofucking hard?”
“Richie trusted you to do that for him. He trusted you.”
“The day he died, I died as well. Know that. You lost both of us that day.”
“All I know is that I can’t forgive you; there’s just no place inside me where I can find any forgiveness. There just isn’t.”
“I can’t forgive you. I can’t forgive you.”
Those had been the last words she heard from her husband’s mouth. “I can’t forgive you”. He had then turned from her; picked up the bag he had packed and walked out the door. He might as well have plunged a knife into her heart in that moment; the result would have been the same. His words had inflicted a mortal wound, destroying what little life she had left in her. Already unable to forgive herself for the death of their son, her heart couldn’t endure such a deathly blow and it now propelled her towards an inevitable destiny in search of atonement.
Lilly snapped her attention back to the present, realising she had arrived at her destination. She drove into the car park, relieved there were no other vehicles present, ensuring her the privacy she needed. She turned off the engine and left the keys in the ignition. She gathered the rope off the passenger seat and opened the door; her leather shoes crunching the thin layer of snow underfoot as she stepped out. The white sign declaring Empire Bluff Trail welcomed her. This was a familiar spot, as she had been here many times before to enjoy the trek to the top of the bluff and its spectacular views of the lake. Today though, the surrounding forest of beech maple would serve a different purpose.
As she commenced her slow walk along the trail the silence engulfed her. She began to feel an overwhelming sense of peace, a feeling of being liberated from within. Her awareness expanded at the feeling of being part of all that surrounded her: the trees, the sky, the snow. It was like she had ceased to exist within the boundaries of her own flesh and had become a living part of what she was looking at. For the first time she experienced quietness in her mind, free from the constant barrage of thoughts ebbing and flowing like relentless waves crashing on to the shore.
After a short walk she reached the number two marker and turned to look back at where she had come. Her single shoe prints left in the snow seemed a symbolic gesture of her aloneness. She turned away to her right, making her way into the forest off the trail. Two old, rusted wagon wheels revealed their presence above the snow on the ground next to her. She touched them, knowing that they were a historic reminder of the past when this area was used as a farming district.
With the rope in her hand, she continued to walk. Just a little further from the trail, she thought. As she moved she looked ahead, quietly surveying the trees to find the right one.
As she took the next step onto the soft snow underfoot, the solidity she expected disappeared as the ground gave way beneath her; plunging her down into darkness.
CHAPTER 2
Lilly’s rapid descent to the bottom of the pit, like Alice down the rabbit hole, was an undignified arrival of sprawling legs and arms, accompanied by the loud crash of rotten timber boards. She lay there motionless for some minutes, entombed in dirt, snow and broken wood; her breath having been sucked from her body in the sickening thud of her landing.
She lay there for a few moments until she had consumed a replacement of air back into her lungs with deep heavy breaths, her body beginning to shake with the shock. Eventually she dared to move, slowly at first, satisfied she hadn’t managed to kill herself prematurely and arrive in a version of hell. Lilly tentatively propped herself up, her aching back finding support in a solid wall behind her. Several shattered pieces of board lying across her legs were pushed to the side as she dusted herself off from the dirt and snow on her clothing and hair.
She looked up towards the light that was reflecting downwards upon her, forming a perfect circle that framed the outline of a grey sky and leafless maple tree branches observing her predicament below. Lilly made a foggy calculation that she must have fallen at least eight metres. The feeling of being trapped enveloped her as she observed the circular stone wall that surrounded her. The realisation that she had fallen into an old well fell into place like a completed jigsaw of disparate pieces finally coming together to reveal itself. Along with this realisation came an explosion of anger and rage bursting to the surface. Her mind became consumed with the thought and feeling that God was yet again demonstrating some persistent conspiracy to turn her life into a living nightmare.
“Damn you! Damn You! Damn you!” Lilly screamed upwards to the heavens, at the same time throwing snow, dirt and pieces of timber against the walls of her cell. The sounds of her intense sobbing were interspersed with her loud vocal expressions claiming damnation.
“Damn you, damn you, damn you,” she repeated, until the words tapered off into silence, where only the sound of her sobbing remained.
As the emotional storm inside her began to subside, Lilly found some composure. She turned her eyes upwards again and affirmed her initial thought that there was no way out of this well except up. The rope that now lay beside her had miraculously transformed its role from one of salvation, to now become a symbol of the futility of her situation. Self-rescue was not an option.
She looked at her wrist in search of her watch to see how much time had passed. Instead she saw the bandage, prompting a memory that her watch was comfortably sitting on the bathroom basin where she had placed it earlier. Her solitary confinement seemed complete with this inclusion of timelessness. There was absolutely nothing she could do but sit and wait. Any previous delusion that she held any power or control over her own destiny was now completely revealed for the illusion that it was; and with that thought in her mind she burst into hysterical laughter. The great cosmic joke had her. Lilly couldn’t even remember the last time she had laughed so uncontrollably. Maybe she had finally descended into madness, insanity she thought.
It was in that moment, with endorphins flooding her body that she became aware of something very strange happening. The walls of the well started to become defined by lines of light, as if an artist with a white fluorescent pen was drawing the well on a black surface. Her laughing stopped as this mysterious change in her surroundings absorbed her attention. She shut her eyes, thinking she was hallucinating, willing it to disappear. However, on opening them again, the lines of brilliant light were still there.
An image then started to emerge in front of her, arising from the same incandescent light. It was the shape of a man, sitting with legs crossed and hands clasped in his lap. By now Lilly had become extremely agitated in reaction to the hallucination coming into form before her eyes. Thinking that she may have been more injured than she realised, Lilly began running her fingers around her head and through her hair, feeling for injuries. This can’t be real she thought, this can’t be real. Her fingers settled on a large lump at the back of her head. As she pressed on it pain shot through her body.
Lilly repeated out loud to herself, “It’s not real, it’s just a hallucination. I’ve hit my head, that’s all. It’s not real.”
Her attempt at reassurance was not working particularly well as the image continued to take on more detailed form. She watched, filled with anxiety, but also with an intense fascination at the illusion her brain was performing without her apparent conscious participation.
The image of the man was quite stunning. His short, wavy, brown hair was brushed back, framing a handsome, older face sporting a closely cropped beard. The eyes that stared back at her were the darkest she had ever seen, yet exuding overwhelming warmth. His lips were too beautiful for a man, yet fitted well with such a handsome face. He was clothed in white pants and a white linen shirt, buttoned to the top. An embroidered pattern of gold and purple circles ran down the middle of the shirt, each containing a small black dot in the centre.
The image now seemed complete in its revelation. To Lilly it now looked more like an elaborate, colourful hologram with dimension and depth, rather than its vague beginnings as a black and white mirage. It looked so real. Her curiosity couldn’t be contained any longer, and she reached out to touch the image. However, her hand completely passed through the hologram, being completely devoid of solidity.
“I love you very much you know,” he said softly to her.
Lilly recoiled in absolute surprise as the holographic image of the man spoke, ramming her back hard into the stone wall behind her and quickly pulling her curious hand back towards her chest. Her eyes widened and she was frozen with fear. Yet again her mind raced with the notion that she was delusional.
He spoke again, slowly and quietly, this time with an accent that was clearly noticeable, “I love you very much, you know. You don’t have to be frightened.”
A holographic illusion that speaks with an accent, she thought, feeling considerably crazier than she even did minutes before.
“It has been a long time since you have known how much you are loved, hasn’t it, my dear? Indeed, you have endured great suffering,” he said with such empathy.
Lilly’s heart felt an enormous surge of pain run through it like an arrow striking her squarely in the chest. His words had found their sacred mark, causing tears to well in her eyes, despite her trying not to let them free.
Finally breaking the silence that had followed his comment, Lilly asked, “Who are you?”
“Well, that is an interesting question, my love. I have walked this earth as a mortal entity many times and have been known by many names. My last life was one of a Bulgarian prophet, so that is how I appear to you today. I could just as easily have manifested myself to you in the form of a lighthouse, but then we wouldn’t have been able to chat as we are, would we?” he replied to her with a slight chuckle in his voice.
“I don’t understand why. Am I crazy? Am I talking to my own illusion like a crazy person? I don’t understand,” Lilly spoke with distress rising in her voice and feeling utterly confused.
The prophet replied tenderly, “You are not crazy at all. Did you not pray to the Divine for an answer? You asked why, did you not? No prayer ever goes unanswered you know. The answer may not be heard, or come in a way that you expect, but it is never unanswered.”
“You are just an illusion, so you can go now, just go. I’m not going to get drawn into this. I don’t need this. Just go, please!” Lilly spoke with a certain pleading in her voice.
“Well, to you I am a holographic illusion, but to me you are also an illusion, my love. Isn’t that curious? The only difference between you and me is our rate of vibrations,”the prophet replied, before falling silent for a moment to let his comments settle in Lilly’s mind.
He then continued, “I am here to help you. The cause of all your pain and suffering is simply ignorance, that is all. Nobody has ever told you the truth. Nobody.”
Lilly was quick to reply, “What are you talking about, what truth? I don’t know what you are talking about.”
“You gave up my love. Your journey has been a difficult one indeed. So you decided you wanted to go home early…hmm? Well, I am here to tell you that you still have much to do here as a mortal entity. Many wonderful things are yet to happen in this lifetime for you. So I have come to wake you up, to help you remember who you really are. Together we will lift your veil of ignorance and move you to a new mind of enlightened understanding.”
The prophet paused, allowing the silence to embrace them both.
Lilly stared back into the prophet’s eyes that seemed to hold her there, trance-like, for some moments. Her mind was spinning, trying to comprehend what he was saying. He seemed to be waiting patiently for her to say something.
With anger in her voice, Lilly finally spoke again. “My son is dead. My husband has abandoned me. Nothing can change that. So don’t sit there like you’re some god-damn almighty, spinning me this bullshit story about waking me up. It’s my choice if I decide to bail out of this hell. This time I get to make the choice, nobody else. It’s my choice. So go and be a prophet in someone else’s nightmare, because I don’t need you in mine. Got it?”
By the time Lilly had finished speaking the venom in her voice was obvious, but the tears in her eyes at the same time belied the strength she was trying to convey.
The prophet waited again patiently, his compassion for her palatable. He then spoke very quietly in reply. “Your son, Richie, is a beauteous soul. You taught him much about the nature of love, even in the short time he was here in this particular life time. His love has never left you, you know. Even when you thought you were so alone, his light is always within you.”
“How do you know Richie’s name? How could you know that?” Lilly spat back quickly, demanding a reply.
“There are many things about your reality that are hidden from you, my love, including the aspect you consider as death. You believe that you exist only to the boundaries of your flesh that you know as your body; and the death of that body is considered as the end of life. It is this meaning that causes the human entity to experience this limited understanding with anguish and sorrow, an immense source of suffering indeed. Yet nothing could be further from the truth, my love. The demise of the body is not the end of life at all, it never could be.”
“You asked the Divine ‘Why?’ did you not? A magnificent question if ever there was one, indeed. To contemplate one’s own existence and the nature of the life you live is a profound quest for the human entity. You see, my love, the truth is never held from you when it is asked for and you stand in receivership, ready with an open mind. Even your own scriptures proclaimed this promise when these words were inscribed: Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.”
“Then tell me why, prophet. Tell me why my heart aches with so much pain that I can’t take it anymore. Tell me why a small child has to die. Tell me why a husband abandons his wife when she needed him the most. Tell me why I lost my best friend. Tell me why my life seems so meaningless if there is no-one to love. Answer me that prophet, tell me why, I’m listening,” Lilly burst forth in utter frustration.
The prophet replied quickly, “Let me tell you, my love, that all of your life has been lived in the valley of ignorance, unaware that in the mountains, unseen by your limited perspective there dwells great causes and purpose beyond your knowledge and awareness. These causes rumble down from above and leave you only to experience the effects that you call your reality. At the core of your being you have a suspicion of sorts, that maybe there is something greater than the life you know, a greater power that reigns. Is that not who you pray to for your answers? Well, I am here to share with you what lies in those mountains hidden from your view. It is time for you to know the truth because you have dared to ask the great question.”
“I am going to take you on a journey. I will take you to this loftier vantage point of your reality so that you can perceive from a different perspective. It is only with new knowledge that you can ever understand, so I am going to share many new truths with you. I want to help ease much of the pain and suffering you have endured. You will need great courage to walk this path, as I am going to show you your life from a different perspective; as an observer high on the mountain away from the valley you have been lost in.
So just watch, my love …. just watch.”
As Lilly watched, the prophet began to morph from a human form into a screen-like projection onto the wall of the well. She felt like she was watching a movie. Her eyes widened as the screen began to play a scene that had been burned in her memory like a laser beam.
CHAPTER 3
Empire, Michigan
26th December 2011
Mitch Andaman struck an imposing figure as he walked into the kitchen of their home. He was a tall man with a muscular build and broad shoulders; an enduring legacy of his military training. His short, cropped, black hair suited him. A strong voice declared his presence to Lilly, who was busy with her back to him, cooking eggs and bacon on the stove.
“Morning babe, have you seen my cap anywhere?”
Lilly turned to acknowledge her husband’s question and arrival. She never tired of seeing him in his US Coast Guard uniform. He always looked impeccable in his starched navy blues adorned with emblems and insignia, perfectly hugging the rugged frame of his body. His trousers, with single, stark crease lines running down the centre of both legs, disappeared into highly polished boots reflecting the world around him. She smiled warmly at him and was instantly drawn closer, to retrieve a loving hug and kiss that he was always quick to offer first thing in the morning. At times they behaved like young lovers on a first date, rather than a married couple of six years.
As she embraced him tenderly, she responded to his question, “The last time I saw your cap it was sitting on your son’s head.”
As they released from their embrace Mitch turned his attention to their five-year-old son, Richie, sitting on the floor playing a short distance away near the Christmas tree. He seemed totally absorbed with the Transformer toy he had received from Santa the day before. As Mitch moved nearer to him he had to step over empty boxes and Christmas wrapping paper that still remained after yesterday’s festivities.
“Hey Sport, have you seen Daddy’s cap? I need to go to work,” Mitch asked as he ruffled his son’s hair in obvious affection.
Ignoring his dad’s question, the young boy replied, “Daddy, can you help me with this, the wheels don’t work.”
“Mate, help me find my work cap first and then I’ll have a look at it for you,” Mitch said firmly.
Lilly had always loved the sound of her husband’s Australian accent. It just added to his irresistible charm, she thought. As she placed a plateful of breakfast on the table, she watched her two beautiful young men begin a search of the living room for the elusive cap. A smile settled on her face as she did so.
“I found it,” yelled Richie in delight, holding in the air a cap bearing the blue and gold seal of the Coast Guard emblem above the peak.
Mitch grabbed his son around the waist and hoisted him off the ground, hugging him like a grizzly bear with a cub, growling noises and all. He placed the cap on his son’s head and pulled it down over his eyes, which left the small child giggling with delight.
“OK, bring your toy over here and let me have a look,” Mitch said, placing his wriggling son back down on to the carpeted floor.
As Mitch sat down at the kitchen table he hoisted Richie on to his lap. His attempt at eating eggs and bacon while simultaneously contorting the Transformer toy into all sorts of poses was proving to be more of a challenge than he had anticipated.
“It’s meant to look like a fire truck daddy, not like that,” said his son, who was critically evaluating Mitch’s every move.
“Well, this Transformer can look like anything it wants to buddy,” Mitch replied, attempting to cover his tracks of failing to conquer the little toy.
After about five minutes, Mitch conceded defeat and decided that going to work was a better option.
Lifting Richie off his lap, Mitch spoke with his mouth half-full of bacon, “I gotta go mate. I’ll give it another shot after work.”
As Richie returned to his place near the Christmas tree, Mitch placed his cap firmly on his head and loaded his pockets with car keys and mobile phone that were waiting on the bench.
Lilly approached Mitch for another hug, saying, “Have I ever told you how much I love a man in uniform?”
“Well as long as I’m the only one in a uniform that you’re loving sweetheart, that’s fine by me,” Mitch replied as he locked Lilly in his arms with a firm embrace.
As they kissed tenderly, Mitch then reluctantly pulled apart remembering he had to go to work. “I’d love to stay here babe, but I have to go. I’ll give you a call if I’m going to be late.”
“OK, that’s fine. I love you,” Lilly replied lovingly.
“Love you too,” Mitch replied as he grabbed his jacket and duffle bag and then turned towards his son.
“See you Sport, be a good boy for mummy won’t you?”
Looking up for a brief moment from his attention with his set of new toys, Richie yelled back, “Bye Daddy”.
As Lilly followed Mitch to the front door and closed it behind him, she felt a surge of love flow through her body. She couldn’t believe how lucky she was at times; she wondered what she had done to deserve these two beautiful young men in her life.
Returning to the kitchen, Lilly cleared the breakfast dishes from the table. A bowl of half-eaten Corn Flakes remained as Richie’s feeble effort at having breakfast, before being lured back to his new stack of toys.
She looked over towards her son playing quite happily by himself and said, “Well, it looks like it’s just you and me today, Richie.”
He looked at her for a brief moment and then promptly returned to what he was doing, with an obvious contentment with the situation.
The next couple of hours passed quickly as Lilly busied herself cleaning up the Christmas aftermath left from the day before, washing dishes and doing the laundry. After calling her mother in Florida, Lilly made herself a fresh cup of coffee and finally sat down for a few minutes’ rest.
Sitting at the kitchen table, her attention was drawn to Richie sitting by the window looking rather forlorn as he gazed outside. Next to him was the colourful kite sporting an image of SpongeBob that Mitch had personally picked out for him and wrapped as a gift from Santa. Lilly took her coffee and sat down on the carpet next to him.
As she looked out of the large panoramic window facing towards Lake Michigan, she observed a flock of American Robins perched on the snow covered swing set in the yard.
“Are you looking at the birds, sweetie?” she inquired.
With a sad little look on his face, Richie turned to his mother and replied, “I wish I could go outside and fly my kite.”
Lilly returned her gaze to the scene outside, observing the snow-covered ground and the clear sky. “Well, you’ve been stuck inside all week and it’s not snowing today. What say we go down to the playground near the beachfront and then we can fly the kite near the lake. How does that sound?”
Richie didn’t need to be asked twice. He bounded up with obvious delight and started jumping up and down.
“Yay! Let’s go, let’s go,” he squealed, grabbing the kite and running towards the door. Lilly smiled to herself. He was so much like his dad, easily excited, she thought.
“Hang on, hang on, you need your jacket and beanie …. And change your shoes,” she yelled after him before he made it to the front door.
Considering their excursion involved only a short trip down Lake Michigan Drive to the playground near the beach, it amazed her how long it always took to get organised with a small child. As they stood near the front door, Richie awaited a final inspection by his mother.
Lilly crouched down to eye level with her son and zipped up his red jacket with its Wiggles emblem displayed proudly over his chest. A cute face of brown eyes and pert nose peered back to her under a blue and white-striped beanie. To Lilly he was a perfect re-creation of Mitch, albeit a smaller version. Placing her hands around his head she pulled him closer to her and planted a wet kiss on his cheek.
“I love you, little man,” she said tenderly.
“I love you too, Mummy,” he replied in his sweetest little voice before breaking free of her grasp and whipping the front door open to vanish in a flash.
Lilly followed with bag and kite in hand, pushing the remote for the garage door in the process. With Richie safely strapped into the back seat, Lilly reversed the Volvo and began the short journey along Lake Michigan Drive back towards the beachfront. Having arrived in the car park, which had been swept clear of snow, Lilly pulled into a space facing the playground on the shore of South Bar Lake glistening under a cosy blanket of ice.
She noticed only one other car present in the car park. As she hopped out of the warm confines of her car her attention was drawn to a warmly dressed man pushing a little girl on a radiant pink bicycle around the car park. On seeing her alight from the Volvo he waved vigorously and walked towards them.
“Hi Lilly, how was your Christmas?” he asked with a warm smile on his face.
She immediately recognised him as one of Mitch’s work colleagues from the US Coast Guard base in Frankfort. “Hello Dan. It was hectic,” she laughed in reply. “Looks like Santa left a few goodies at your place as well,” she continued, admiring the pink bike the little girl was riding.
“Santa was very generous,” he said, looking proudly at his daughter waiting patiently for his return. “What’s Mitch up to today, is he rostered on?”
“Yes, he’s on day shift. So you have some time off over Christmas Dan?” Lilly asked.
