The Last Candle - 3. Chapter 3

Death

Of a

Fallen

Leaf - 2012

A huge explosion rocked the house.

Serrina O’Connell dashed down the rickety staircase into the basement and found Plato lying face down on the floor.

‘Senora de la Luz! What on earth have zhew done this time? Zhew always making these big bangs like a stupido! And zhew know my heart she won’t take it but still zhew go on and on and on. What am I going to do with zhew?’ By this time she had her hands in the air, a small woman, with a robust mouth that spat Spanish words out by the dozen. Black eyes gazed at the mess the egg had made. She disliked swearing in English, it sounded raw and course. Spanish swearing was a lot more subtle.

‘Sorry, Mom. The egg exploded! I thought I could submerse it in hydrochloric acid and it wasn’t supposed to explode but it did.’

‘Zhew put an egg in acid and what then did zhew expect it to do, lie there and suntan? ‘Los Cojones! (This is a milder form of cursing in Spanish). I juuust don’ know anymore. One day I will be lucky to have a roof over my head if zhew don’t stop making portazo’s (bangs) all over the place.’

‘Sorry, mom. I won’t do it again.’

She quietened down. Spoke a little softer. ‘Sjour father’s mother is on her death bed and zhew are trying to keel sjourself. She used to be like a crisp fallen leaf, full of cracking.’

‘There’s no such phrase as full of cracking. It’s crackling.’

She flung her hands into the air, venting her frustration. ‘Of course I know. But zhew get what I mean. Entiendes ! Full of life. Electric energy. Did zhew know she was an aarcheeooolog ist.’

‘You mean an archaeologist.’

‘Siiiii, they study …I dunno … she told me but it don’ make sense.’

‘They study the past, myths, legends, that kind of thing…gran told me a long time ago. I’d like to discover things. Create a history. I was thinking of studying archaeology myself.’

‘Si, well, zhew do whatever rocks sjour sticks or something like that. Now clean this place up! Nosotros visitamos a abuela. – We will be visiting your Gran today - And zhew better be ready in fifteen minutes or else zhew don’t got the car this weekend.’

‘Its not sticks ma! It’s boat! Boat. B - o – a – T. And all this bribery will get you … everywhere.’

She popped her head back into the doorway, ‘Zhew theenk zhew are too clever for shjour age. Fifteen minutes.’

‘I’ll beat you to it you still have to make up.’ He raced towards his cupboard and retrieved a pair of jeans and a white button up linen shirt.

‘Never underestimate sjour mother.’ She said, running up the staircase.

He was ready in ten and waiting at the car.

Fifteen minutes. Twenty minutes. Twenty five minutes later, he pressed the hooter. At that moment she appeared at the door, and locked it.

This was new to him. He disliked watching the frail pass on. It was like watching a history, a culture, a philosophy, disintegrate. The nurse had told the guests to say goodbye without disturbing her. Her breathing was heavy, and all that was keeping her alive was the morphine. Relatives, friends and past enemies, all gathered beside her bed to say their goodbyes. Some cried. Some held her hand a little longer. Some kissed her forehead or cheek.

She had a good life; a conversation overheard.

Everyone should be proud of her.

She worked hard for her children. But it’s time she let go, someone said.

Her breathing normalized. Colour returned to her face and arms and she relaxed. A few minutes later she took a last forced breathe.

The wailing and crying from the sisters and brothers and closer relatives began almost immediately. They hugged and kissed and blew their noses and wiped away the tears.

The undertaker arrived. Then the pastor. They gathered around her body and the pastor convened a prayer session. After prayers, Plato preferred the balcony where a group of people had gathered away from the crying.

He watched his mother make a call, probably to his father who ran the pizza shop. And then she called him aside and led him into a small bedroom.

‘She told me to give zhew theez envelope on the day of her death.’ She handed it over and he read it first to himself.

‘This is not possible.’

‘What is it?’

He gave the document to her.

It was written in Spanish.

“Plato. How I wish your mama had never given you such a name. I told her don’t do it, she said you are her child and she will give you whatever name she wants. Who am I to argue these things? So, I’m dead. During my life I watched you grow and become a man and just because you like men doesn’t change my love for you. I’ve known for a very long time. You did not have to tell me. But, what I want from you now, is to protect something for me. I know you have a profound interest in archaeology. I miss those days. If you are a brave, honest, pure person, you will find the address written below where the item may be collected. Do not attempt to open it. Whatever you do, resist the temptation to enquire. I emplore you. All I ask, is that you protect it from harm.

I trust you will make the correct decision.”

‘This thing doesn’t sound too good. Sjour father won’t allow it. I think zhew should keep it where it is and forget about it.’

‘It’s her last dying wish, mama. I have to do this. I can’t let her down. I’d do the same for you and anyone whom I love.’

‘Then we are all doomed. Do it! Zhew will see what kind of thing zhew will protect? It brought her nothing but misery.’

‘Then why would she ask me to protect it?’

‘If zhew accept this responsibility, zhew will find out.’

Later on that night, beneath the quiet shine of the stars, he contemplated his decision. He was a logical thinker. One step always led to another. Action and reaction. Subsequence and consequence. It’s the natural flow of human relationships with everything around him. If he were to accept this responsibility, naturally he’ll want to know more about this thing. Whatever this object was, it was his to do with as he pleased, maybe make him a rich man.

On the other hand, if he failed to take on this task, he would be thoroughly disappointed in himself.

In the morning he sneaked out earlier than usual, by foot, and followed the map given with the address highlighted in a bright green.

49 Maiden Road