I'll See You Next Week, Darling

The first beams of the rising sun guide him. Step by step he goes; walking slowly, no rush. He’s contemplating the spring greenest grass like the perfect carpet; the new shapes of the trees that invite their friends (birds and squirrels) to come back and to stay; the colors of the new flowers whose natural perfumes call colorful butterflies and fast hummingbirds to have their best banquet. His moderate walking allows him to watch everything in slow motion, to genuinely notice and appreciate this world’s details.

This early morning, Carlos took a long hot bath, then he shaved carefully, he combed his hair the way she loved him to do, and he dressed up, he even wore his best cologne. They had decided to meet always on this day of the week. Thus, today he meets his sweetheart, the love of his life, his first and only love: Mia.

Mia and Carlos met, for the first time, at a friend’s birthday party. They were young and full of life.

“Hey, Carlos!”

“What’s up?”

“Haven’t you noticed?”

“What, man?!”

“You’re such a case! Someone is looking at you, I mean, staring!”

“Don’t you dare to start with your weird things!”

“No, bro, for real! Turn, left, slowly, and you’ll see Emma and her beautiful friends, they’ve been talking and giggling. I think Emma’s flirting. They all are dolls but Emma, man… she’s the prize for any man.”

“So, what?”

“Right, you’re right, Carlos. I just forgot to tell you… I’ve been observing them. First, I thought it was me Emma was paying attention to… Then I realized Emma is VERY interested in YOU… which, quite frankly, I don’t understand since I’m much PRETTIER than you, man. Lucky bastard you are! Turn, slowly, don’t let them notice you’re looking.” The good-looking blonde boy with blue eyes said.

“All right, all right. I will.”

Emma and her friends were, indeed, very attractive town girls. Actually, any boy would have gone crazy about knowing Emma -the most popular girl at school- was having some kind of interest in him; especially, when that boy’s just arrived to the USA. Being the new student at school doesn't help much to achieve that task.

There were 5 girls, Emma was standing at the left end. However, even though Carlos was interested in flirting back to Emma, when he turned, Mia’s eyes trapped him in. Mia was standing at the right end, and Carlos couldn’t continue looking at the rest of the girls. His look was stuck right there, within Mia’s look. He wasn’t able to fight Mia’s love’s call. He just surrendered at that moment and from that moment on… and for always!

That was the beginning of Mia and Carlos’s story.

Carlos kept walking, slowly. He’s been carrying a bouquet of petunias all along from home. He always remembers to take some flowers with him, but petunias are Mia’s favorites. That’s why Carlos is always busy in their garden to provide Mia with all kinds of flowers.

Some more steps… and she’s right there.

“Hello, sweetheart! I’m on time, am I not?”, Carlos said, kind of worried about being late. He wouldn’t allow himself to make Mia wait for him. He’ll never waste a minute being without her. Time is a precious element!

Mia smiled at him, her real love.

“I’ve been walking a lot; so, I’m kind of tired, I’m sorry. But you know that, darling, don’t you?”, Carlos explained.

“Yes, I know, honey, but I know your love will always bring you back to me and that’s what matters”, Mia replied and accepted his tender apology.

After catching his breath, Carlos added.

“Honey, I’ll set everything for breakfast in a minute.”

Carlos put his picnic basket and flowers down on the grass. First, he set a tablecloth on the ground. Then he set everything else. Finally, Carlos put a vase in the middle of the tablecloth, then he poured some water into it in order to put the bouquet of petunias into the vase.

“Everything is set and wonderful; right, sweetheart?”, Carlos exclaimed.

“Everything is perfect, darling… just the way you are! God has given me the perfect companion to share my lives”, Mia complemented.

Carlos started to prepare a sandwich for Mia, turkey and ham, and a sandwich for himself, peanut butter and jelly; despite his doctor’s disapproval! He even brought some fine Costa Rican coffee, Ateneo, to spoil Mia and to cheer him up! (Carlos breaks into tears every time he is with Mia, so many emotions he cannot refuse)

Carlos starts his talking routine when he visits his wife’s grave at the cemetery. He tells her all events during his week, how their 2 children and grandchildren are doing, how much they miss her and how much Carlos misses her. That’s when he breaks into tears.

“Darling, I know Heaven is timeless, endless, but I’m counting the minutes to be with you… Your death turned our heaven into a hell. Don'´t misunderstand me, honey, but it hasn’t been the same since you… passed away. I keep praying the Lord to deserve His forgiveness and love to be with you, then with Him.”

Believe it or not, Mia’s spirit is there with Carlos. Mia pays attention to every word Carlos has to say. She also misses their conversations and making love with him. Carlos is her heaven and Heaven understands it! That’s the reason why God gives Mia a little earthly paradise to be in every Sunday morning, with Carlos.

On every Sunday, after talking to his wife, Mia, Carlos stands up, picks everything up. Then he cleans his wife’s gravestone, carefully, slowly, while Mia’s spirit floats in the air, above him, always watching him from above. Mia watches, with her heavenly young eyes, his wrinkled hands working. She’s waiting for him to share her lives (earthly and heavenly ones), forever… for always!

“I’ll see you next week, darling.”

Carlos started to walk his long way back home, slowly, no rush, according to his old body’s pace. His only hope is seeing his wife soon, in the cemetery and beyond.

“I’ll see you next week, sweetheart.” Mia said goodbye.