by Matt Juhl
Until that time, I won’t let anyone tell me I can’t love Harper. It doesn't matter who stands in my way, no one will keep us apart. My heart and soul burn for her. My body aches for her. I could make love to her a thousand times, but I’d never feel we’re close enough. I'd always want more and will always fight for her…with all of me.’”
“Nik, I didn't know how to cope with all of this, but I learned somethin’ so important. I realized what you’ve been tryin’ to get me to figure out all along—what we learn about ourselves is sometimes more important than the actual things we accomplish. I’m grateful for what you did. It was real brave. No one will ever do somethin’ more important as long as I live. To be honest, it made me feel guilty. Everyone’s sayin’ I can’t think like that, and I know you’d say the same thing. So instead, I need to look at the person I've become. After we met, I found out I wasn’t so tough. ‘Cause of you, I'm able to be open and honest with everyone, includin’ myself, about who I am. I ain’t afraid of what others think of me anymore. Now I know how to be confident and proud…and humble. None of that would have happened if we hadn’t met.”
Harper exhaled, struggling to maintain composure through her tears. "Thank you, babe, for showin’ me that it's okay to be myself, and that I was actually worthy of someone like you. It inspired me to write a lil’ somethin’. I know you’re probably laughin’, thinkin’ what in the hell could I possibly write.”
Harper dried her eyes and walked to the damp shoreline, cradling Nik’s urn in her arms. A shiver enveloped her body as the frozen touch of the tide tickled her ankles.
Then, she recited from memory, "This is our place. Through the harsh waves, the lighthouse stands strong and guides the wanderers safely home. Like many others, who may be lost and fightin’ for everything, we search for the promise of its glow. The beach meant everything to us. That’s why you belong here. Every time I come back, I want it to be alive with your memory. So if you ever need me, just call and I’ll come runnin’. I mean it, any ole’ time you ever need me, just look up for that lonely beacon and I'll be waitin’ here for you. When I see the waves crashin’ against the shore, I’ll know that it’s you reachin’ out, lettin’ me know that you're always here, always comin’ back to me…always comin’ home."
In that instance, all the time she’d spent with Nik flooded back. Images of his handsome face replayed along with everything they’d endured, including their highs and their lows.
Most importantly, she felt his tenderness, everything from Nik’s gentle nature, to the romantic evening at the marina, and to their passionate escapade inside the lighthouse. Those sweet moments were etched in her memory like a scrapbook. They were all she had left, but she’d never let them go for anything.
Overwhelmed with emotion, Harper carefully opened the urn and walked to the water’s edge. After letting out a long breath, she carefully scattered Nik’s ashes into the gentle waves.
One by one, they glimmered and sparkled against the water, fading into the brilliant sunset.
Uncontrollably sobbing, Harper fell to her knees. She ran her fingers through the cold water and whispered, “I’ll see you soon.”
As the calm waves crashed against her body, she closed her tear-soaked eyes. Harper felt reprieve deep in her heart, a reassurance that it was Nik reaching back for her. She knew that he’d be there whenever she needed him, just as he promised he always would. And even though she couldn’t see him, their love would live forever…neither of them would ever let that die.
THE END
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rockton, Illinois native Matt Juhl has been storytelling from an early age. Growing up the youngest of five children, he was always looking for a way to assert himself. Discovering a passion for writing, Matt penned his first piece at the age of twelve. He went on to create more works, including several plays, short stories, and poems.
In the summer of 2010, while visiting the breathtaking coastline of Western Michigan, the picturesque surroundings of the desolate beaches breathed life into one of Matt's stories, culminating in the creation of his first novel, The Straight Crimes.
Matt resides in Fort Worth, Texas. He's currently working on his next novel.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/writemattjuhl
Twitter: @writemattjuhl
Website: www.mattjuhl.net
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