The Cliff

Water streamed through my whole body. Every new wave dragged me further and further to the unknown of the ocean but every crush of it felt warmer and warmer. At last the feeling stopped and I faced the the deep black pit that was beneath me. At first there were only sparkles of light but then it seemed to move closer to me and getting brighter and larger. Soon this light was everywhere. I had never felt a feeling this intense in my entire life. The fear and joy were dancing their way into my heart and soul and soon there was no room for me there. Time passed.

As I regained consciousness I noticed that everything became pitch black. There were distant voices but I couldn’t make out what they were saying. Where was I? How long have I been gone? And what’s with my body? It feels so… strange. So small actually. Okay, I need to focus right now. What’s the last thing I remember doing? Oh, I remember

– Jane, where did you put my suit? I’m really late for work!
– I’ve put it in the hallway, honey.
– I don’t see it!, — he yelled.
– It’s right there on the coach, Tom.
– Ahh. I’ve found it! What time will you be home?
– I’ve an appointment with doctor after work so I’ll be a little late. You can start making a salad and I’ll join you then.
– All right! Have a good day!
– You too, honey!

I’ve walked out of the house and saw my neighbour Bill was already leaving in his new BMW. He bought it three days ago after a successful merger of his firm. Those german cars really make you wish you had one. Well, with all the mortgage payment for the house and the baby coming I can’t really afford one. I got into my old Ford Fiesta and drove off. The weather was very sunny. There was not a single cloud on the sky. As I walked into the office a skinny man ran to me.

– Mr.Galt?
– Yes?
– I have a package for you, sir.
– Where do I sign?
– Here, please.
– Thank you.

I got to my desk and turned the computer on. There were some emails from the manager. He wants me to get involved into another project that was being discussed with an external partner this month. Well, what the heck, I think I can do it. The money won’t hurt anyway.

Mike was already in his office. I knocked on his partially open door and went in.

– Hello Mike!
– Tom, hello. So good to see you. I take it you’ve received my email?
– Yes. And I wanted to personally tell you that I’m in.
– All right! That’s what I like to hear. I’ll send you the copy of the contract immediately then.
– I’ll get you the signed one by the end of the day.
– Okay!

Finally, I’m getting some work that is both interesting and payed well. During the dinner time I called Jane several times but the number was busy.

If all was going according to the plan I could complete the mortgage payment by the end of this year. Jane will be so glad to hear this. Well, I better take off to home and start preparing the supper. Make a little surprise for her.

Soon I stepped through the entrance door and made my way to the kitchen. Amatriciana pasta was always her favourite. I don’t know what it was about her and Italian food but they always seemed to be good together. Two hours later she was still not here. The sause was ready and I started putting fettuccine into the already boiling water. The loud smash of the door took me by surprise.

– Hi honey!

There was no answer. As I walked to the hall I heard a distant sobbing. She was sitting near the front door on the floor.

– What’s the matter?
– Tom, you need to sit down.
– What’s wrong? Is it the baby?
– Yes and no. The blood sample they took showed signs of metastasis. X ray showed I have a lung cancer. It’s already too far for a treatment. A have over a month left, Tom. I…the baby.. And she started crying. I cuddled her to myself. Seconds seemed like hours. I don’t know how long we were there.
– Will the baby be able to..?
– No… It’s too early for that. Or too late… Damn… what did we do to get something like this?

The following days were very painful for me. Jane didn’t want to come to the hospital. She wanted to be home with me. And I was.

Until the day. I returned from the funerals to my empty home and cried. I never allowed myself to do that before but this was out of reach from my self-control. After all the tears came out there was not a single drop more I got to my feet and started walking outside the house towards the ocean. We always wanted to build a house near the ocean so when the opportunity arose we took it and got into the whole mortgage thing. Well… even if I knew how this would end I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

Soon I got the cliff where me and Jane used to stare into the night sky every saturday night. This all seemed so unreal. Not only the events but the place and also my body.

And then I took the leap and jumped. Yes! That’s how I got here! But where exactly am I? What is this place?

Time passed and I started to forget things. The more I forgot the more sounds I heard. I didn’t remember my parents now or my work, but I could manage to hear cars and distant conversations. Mostly it was a woman walking. Her voice was soft. And touching. The only thing I remembered was her. I couldn’t remember how she looked like but I remembered the beautiful house that we lived in. Maybe this voice that I’m hearing is hers?

Suddenly the water started moving and the flow took me with it. I got scared. But I couldn’t cry. The urge to cry was irresistible.

– There you go!

And the boy cried.

– Well it seems that you’ve got a perfectly healthy son, mam. Did you pick a name already?
– Yes. We’ll call him Tom.