Morte D'Amour

She fingered the pearls adorning her neck and sighed as she thought of who gave them to her. It seemed impossible that he had been gone so long, but really, everyone knows time passes slowly when you’re in emotional agony. The years had passed, her beauty had faded, and the once beautiful dress that she wore had become no more than a delicate cover-up for her aging body. She had yet to come to grips with the ache that resided within her, and she continued to wait for the day when he’d return. The woman ignored the sole tear that slowly made its way down her wrinkled cheek; she left his handkerchief free from anything that smelled of her. At least that way she could still faintly remember the distinct scent of cranberries mixed with pine trees that he had always worn. Her old and tattered fingers touched the ring on her left hand’s fourth finger. She remembered that day well; he had left early one Sunday morning, and she had let him, knowing he’d be home soon. But fate had a different plan for them. He had yet to be back in her waiting arms; arms that were just about worn out with waiting. She looked towards an old grandfather clock that was propped up, as its legs had long since given out, against the far wall of her drawing room. She watched the hands tick quickly- one second, one minuet, and soon enough, one hour had passed. She sat in her chair, waiting still, as she probably would for the rest of her life, watching with a twisted combination of excitement, trepidation, and anxiety; lingering around for the hands to finally stop. Just waiting for it all to end. For it all to cease to exist. The old woman sat in silence, save for the soft whimper she could not suppress through her tears. She never knew exactly how long she continued to sit in that chair before the ticking finally stopped. Her mouth turned upwards in a sardonic smirk and she knew what she had been waiting for was finally going to come to pass. She also knew that due to her old age and pristine health, it wouldn’t hurt. At least, she hoped it wouldn’t. She prayed it would end quickly, the sooner she could see him, the better. Her worn-out blue eyes blinked much slower than they ever had before and she sighed. It wouldn’t be long now.