It was a crisp autumn's day, Soren sat on her porch swing as dusk began to set in. She silently sipped her water as the wind played with her brunette hair. Her light pink university pajama pants and grey long sleeve shirt rustled as a tear trickled its way down her pale cheek. It felt odd to her to sit here now. The place that once brought her such comfort now filled her with sadness and loneliness. She placed her water on a table beside the swing and went back to her thoughts.
It had been a year since the accident, but to her it felt like only seconds ago. She placed a hand on her thigh, trying to remind herself of her lovers touch, but to no avail. The wind picked up and forcefully threw her now quite long hair into the wind. Bringing a hand up, Soren smoothed it back down. It reminded her of the way Abby used to do it.
"Abby." she whispered to the wind.
Her angel, her Abby. Absentmindedly, she reached up and touched the silver ring around her neck. It was her last reminder of her beloved Abby.
Soren and Abby had dated happily since they were 15 years old. Their love was pure and innocent, like out of a fairytale. The young teenagers of 15 had become beautiful women of 18. Well, Abby had at least. Abby's birthday was 8 months ahead of Soren's August birthday. Yet only 2 months after Abby's 18th birthday, Soren's worst nightmare had revealed itself. As hard as she tried, she could not fight the urge to go back to that night, that memory.
*** "You promise?" Soren's voice asked silently. "Yes!" Abby laughed, "I just have to drive over to Anna's to grab my book. I'll come right back and we'll study, alright?" "The roads are terrible; it'll probably be a snow day tomorrow anyways. There's no need for you to get your textbook." "Soren, you worry too much. It's a 7 minute drive max. I'll be there and back before you know it." "Alright, just please be careful."
Abby gave her a quick kiss and squeezed her hand before grabbing her jacket and heading out.
"See you later Soren! Oh and please have something edible on the table when I come back." She winked at her lover and was gone.
Little did Soren know that would be the last kiss she ever shared with Abby.
After 30 minutes passed, Soren became worried. She knew Abby should have been back by now. She quickly grabbed the phone and called Abby's cell. Ring. Ring. Ring.
"Hey this is Abby! You know what to do."
Soren listened to the familiar voice on the automated message system.
"Abby it's me. Where are you?"
She clicked off the phone and proceeded with Anna's number.
"Hello?" "Anna? It's Soren." "Oh hey! How are you?" "Uh, fine. Listen, has Abby picked up her textbook yet?" "No, she was supposed to be here a bit ago. She probably is just filling up with gas or something. Want me to call you when she gets here?" "Yah, that'd be great. Thanks Anna." "No problem. I'll talk to you later Soren. Bye!"
An hour passed. Then two. That was all Soren could take. She dialed the police.
"911 what's your emergency?" "Hi, my girlfriend went out to pick something up and should have been back here an hour and 45 minutes ago." "What's your name?" "Soren Forrester." "Where do you live Soren?" "67 Evergreen Terrace." "What's your friend's name Soren?" "Abby McKenzie." "We'll dispatch police to check around the area. Do you know where she was headed?" "Yes, she was heading to pick up her biology textbook from Anna Knight's home." "Do you know where Anna lives?" "Ummm, sorry I can't remember the address. She was more Abby's friend than mine." "Alright, don't worry. We'll find her for you Soren." "Thank you."
She hung up the phone and waited.
Thirty minutes later, there was a knock at the door.
"Abby!"
Soren rushed and opened the door, but it was not Abby standing there. Two policemen with their hats clutched at their chests appeared instead. Her heart immediately began to pound.
"Soren Forrester?" "That's me." "May we come in?"
She nodded slowly and lead them to the last place she saw Abby and they took a seat on the couch.
"I'm afraid we have grave news."
In her heart, Soren knew, but her mind refused to accept it.
"Yes?" "We found Abby's car, it was overturned in a ditch. Abby was unconscious when we found her. We had an ambulance arrive within minutes, but we. lost her while providing treatment to her."
Soren sat there, completely paralyzed. Her mind dwelled on the kiss they briefly shared before leaving.
"Right before she died, she asked us to go into her home and retrieve something. She told us to find you and give it to you."
The policeman reached into his pocked and pulled out a silver ring and passed it to Soren. With no emotion, Soren took it and read the engraving on the outer band.
To my goddess
She directed her gaze to the inside and read the words Abby had left her.
You are mine, and mine you shall stay. I love you Soren.
Tears rose up inside of her and poured themselves out her bi-colored eyes. Clutching the ring, she felt as though her heart was being ripped to shreds. Abby can't be dead, not now! No!
The police left her alone with her tears, a ring and a broken heart.
As she made her way to the community cemetery, the ring seemed to have its own energy that she could feel running through her. She always felt like Abby was with her when she was here.
Gazing upon the rows, she found the stone she was looking for, the one she had visited many times.
Abigail Rachel McKenzie
1988-2005
Loving daughter, sister and friend,
forever shall she remain in our hearts.
Soren smiled sadly as she touched the smooth stone. Tears ran down her cheeks once more as she placed a daisy at the base.
She said the only words she saw fit; from the movie they watched their first night together.
"Abby I swear..."
With that, she kissed the stone and made her way back home, clutching the ring the entire way.