Susan's throwback

A clock was ticking.

Tick-tock…

Susan leant back in her favorite old-fashioned armchair, her eyes staring at the decorated Christmas tree. She watched the lights melting her weariness and grief with warmth of the flashing colors. Not only was she a mother of four, but also a strong woman in charge of an international company.

She took the business over from her father – a wealthy, clear-minded visionary who could turn everything he touched into gold. The firm he had established manufactured machines used for timber processing and had it not been for his death of cancer, he would have arguably made it to the top. 

Susan used to divide the responsibilities between her husband and her. They were a loving couple almost from the time they had first met. Mark, the husband, was a gentle, dedicated family guy who really cared for its members. After every tough day spent at work, he would play along with kids – paint their faces, make believe they were Indians, tickle their little Indian feet as well as their childish fancy when reading books for them before they were supposed to fall asleep.

Tick-tock…

In no time Susan felt like hearing the kids burst into innocent laughter. It occurred to her that it had been four years since Mark and she had last kissed each other. Four long years spent with the kids alone.

Tick-tock…

She missed the late evenings in his company. Missed his touch and tender words. Susan closed her eyes and went on recalling good things from the past. She found herself at the seaside, her hand being held by his. They were crossing the golden sandy beach, their contours outlined by the sun hiding itself beyond the horizon as if it were drowning in the cold, foamed water. It was the day when Mark proposed to Susan.

Tick-tock…

She remembered his “Will you marry me?” and her “Yes!” very well. There was no doubt whatsoever that could kick in then. Not a thing that would be able to spoil the priceless moment. Later on, there were an engagement and a wedding in Oklahoma City and L.A. respectively. After tying the knot, Susan and Mark decided to spend their honeymoon in Tuscany, Italy.

“Tuscany is the sunniest place all over the world!”, Mark said raising his eyebrows slightly. “You will love it just as much as I do.” 

Tick-tock…

Susan’s yearned spirit spread wings and paid it a visit once again. She observed Mark and herself sunbathing on one of the beaches Italy is known for.

“You are the prettiest woman in the world”, Mark said, his eyes easily winning Susan’s attention.

“And you are the most handsome man on the planet”, Susan whispered in return, her lips getting close to his ear.

Tick-tock…

Within the next few months Susan got pregnant with quadruplets. When born, you could scarcely tell the boys apart, though in the course of time the siblings started to differ from one another. Susan enjoyed watching them playing and liked the way one stood up for another in the event of any quarrel between them.

In a meanwhile Susan observed her eight-year-olds have an argument which was quickly settled by two of them. It was like a whiff of memories. On the spur of the moment Susan started to cry, her face buried in her hands lest the kids see her in so bad a mood. She was a strong woman, but every once in a while she really needed a shoulder to cry on. She wished Mark was here again, sitting next to her and smiling. Making up his wonderful stories and trying to trick her into thinking they were real.

“Are you serious?”, Susan tended to ask Mark rhetorically at the end of each of them.

“Why would I tell you lies?”, Mark replied with such naturally-looking irritation she always started to smile deep inside, still outside she remained indifferent.

Tick-tock…

No sooner did Susan look at the photograph of Mark than her eyes began to drip again. Back then, happy and much in love, little did they know that their relationship was to be star-crossed. However, the situation was to change soon.

Tick-tock…

One day Mark was feeling under the weather. He complained about a severe pain in his chest. Having heard this, Susan took him to hospital without any hesitation. It came as a shock to both of them that Mark turned out to be seriously ill. The medical diagnosis left no illusions – sad though it was, he was supposed to pass away within the following month. It was cancer that was to put an abrupt end to his short life.

Susan bore in mind the last days spent by Mark’s side, his smile through the pain he was suffering from. She knew well that he bit the bullet so as not to show any weakness in front of the kids and her. He urged that the boys should not see him in such a bad condition, but Susan did not care. She did not want him to sink into oblivion and hoped only this way he would live forever in the kids’ memory and hearts.

Tick-tock…

Emptiness – it was the word best describing Susan’s feelings at the moment. Try as she might, she could not get rid of the accompanying solitude dwelling in her soul. Lost in thought, Susan reached for the photograph standing on a fireplace. She touched Mark’s face delicately, her fingers moving slowly through its contours. In a meantime she felt a hand on her hand.

“Mummy, it’s high time we opened the boxes!”, a voice from nowhere burst in on Susan’s thoughts. “The first star has just turned up in the sky!”

Tick-tock…

Susan put the photograph back. Barely did she saw her kids smiling when she felt better. Having had her spirits raised, Susan got up from her armchair and approached the boys who were having fun with tearing wrapping paper apart. She joined the squad in no time, Mark watching them from the fireplace.