Henry's Favorite Meal

Henry woke up, splashed some water on his face and headed to the kitchen in anticipation of breakfast. 

He could smell the eggs and bacon on the stove while the coffee permeated throughout the house as he lumbered down the stairway. 

His stomach growled and eyes stung a little from the smell of smoke. The vision of Martha preparing it all made him smile. 

Snow was gathering on the ground and the sound of shovels hitting the pavement echoed outside the front window. 

Henry asked his lovely wife if there’s anything he could do to help and as usual she said, “No thank you dear. Grab a cup of coffee and breakfast will be done in two minutes.” 

The table was decorated with white snowflakes and a red tablecloth. 

Henry plopped down on one of the wooden chairs and took the first sip of delicious, eye opening coffee. Martha placed a plate filled with food in front of his face. 

He looked down and took a hearty whiff indulging in the smell of his favorite meal .

He remembered how happy this meal made him when his mother made it for him whenever he was feeling sick or on special occasions. 

Tears rolled down Henry’s face as memories of his childhood came bubbling to the surface. All of those holidays spent together with the family. 

One memory stands out from the rest. 

Christmas morning 23 years ago. Henry and his 3 siblings all met at Mom’s house along with their spouses and children. Henry and his wife were unable to have kids which almost crippled them and their marriage. 

Henry’s nieces and nephews ripped open presents as each one screamed with excitement with every present discovered. 

Mom and Henry’s sister started making breakfast which was Henry’s favorite meal. 

Mom made the eggs and bacon with her own special ingredients which she never revealed to the family but did teach Henry’s wife who she loved like a daughter.

Henry’s father passed away earlier in the year and this was their first holiday together as a family without him. As painful as it was to lose him at least they all still had each other to comfort each other. 

Henry and the family sat around the table telling stories of Dad and recalling all the great advice he gave. Dad was always to give his opinion whether you wanted it or not. 

Henry’s sister reminisced about the time she was going off to college and the advice Dad gave her, ‘Do the best you can at school but always remember that C students run the world.’ Enjoy your time there but don’t get in trouble or else don’t come home.’ 

Dad was always a stickler for stating out of trouble because he knew it could wreck your life later.

The only person who didn’t seem to be enjoying themselves was Mom. She was still grief stricken and in mourning especially during this time of the year. 

Henry and his siblings took turns watching over mom ever since Dad’s passing and making sure she had everything she needed during this difficult time. 

Henry’s [parents were married for over 50 years and were never apart from each other for longer than a couple of days. So the kids new that Mom was going to struggle. 

Seven months after Christmas the family learned of Mom’s fateful diagnosis and rapid decline and eventual death. 

Everyone knew Mom died of a broken heart and couldn’t go on without her best friend. 

Little did Henry or his siblings know that they spent the last Christmas with Mom.  

Just as he brought the food-filled fork to his mouth tears started to roll down his cheek. 

His wife asked him what was wrong and he told her about the memory he was having about his mom and the last Christmas they spent together. 

The day continued as Henry and his wife exchanged gifts and nestled on the couch ready to watch their favorite Christmas movie, It’s A Wonderful Life. 

Snow was coming down outside as the windows developed frost but inside was warm and cozy with decorations galore. A couple of stockings hung over the fireplace as lights adorned the windows in the front living room. 

The eight foot Norway Spruce handed down from Henry’s great grandfather stood proud in the living room. 

Legend has it that Henry’s great grandfather chopped it down using a ten-inch outdoor hatchet and took over two and a half weeks to get it down. 

The tree was to be handed down to Henry’s brother’s son after a lengthy discussion and some arguing, they finally all agreed on this decision.  

The alarm went off and Henry awoke from his slumber. Best sleep he had in months. 

He rubbed his eyes, stared up at the ceiling, took  a deep breath and looked over to see it was 6:16 in the morning. 

The bed felt cold and uncomfortable. His stomach growled as he waited for his smell to return to normal or at least he thought it was gone. 

He rolled over to his wife’s side of the bed and hugged the empty space next to him. He felt every curve and contour of her body. He could hear her sweet, caring voice say Good morning as he snuggled up close to smell her aroma. 

Celebrations, anniversaries, parties, flashed like a still picture movie in his mind. Their wedding day with all their loved ones, the 20th anniversary trip to Italy, the numerous times she made him laugh so hard he nearly peed himself. 

Tears soaked the pillow and blanket as Henry became overcome with emotion as the dark days surfaced in his mind. 

Images of his wife struggling to get around, always sleeping, becoming a shell of her former self. The woman he fell in love with disappeared right before his eyes.   

Henry reached over to the bedside table, grabbed a bottle of pills and emptied them in his mouth.

This would be the last Christmas he would be alone.