Dreamers Awake: Chapter 5.

Chapter 5

Tadgh

The scent of flowers was heavy in the quiet, muffled air. He saw them as he walked, lining every wall, spilling around corners, seeming to claim chairs for themselves. He felt his brother beside him, walking slowly, and keeping pace, both of their heads hung low, quiet. It was the same as it had always been, silent and tense, the sense of peace attempted to be recreated failing and failing miserably. Black dresses and black blazers, white hair visible under black hats. There were flowers of all colors, but mostly white, the sharp, stinging scent of lilies smothering in his nostrils.

            He moved as if he were floating, each step light, unfelt. Until slowly he sat, turning his head expecting to see Trey’s face but instead saw Aunt Esme, her lips pale and smiling. She looked healthy, content as she nodded at him and gave his knee a pat. He noted the veins, sharp blue lines under paper thin skin. The freckles, the thin white hair on her arms, a soft pearl bracelet loose about her bone thin wrist. And dangling from her fingertips was a simple black rosary, the crucifix tapping lightly against his leg. He saw also that her nails were painted, a French manicure. She always loved her French manicures.

            The old woman gave his knee another squeeze and a smile, the chair creaking stubbornly as he stood. Again, the light, fleeting footsteps and he stood at the front of the hall, the kneeler covered in plush red velvet. A thin white hand reached forward to rest on the edge of the casket, smiling sadly at the old woman who lay within. Her skin was still pale, the same blue veins sharp and clear. That pearl bracelet lay stark against the simple black dress she wore. And around her hands the same black rosary lay, twisted tight around her fingers but still unable to cover the perfect French manicure that she had, even in death.

            A slow glance turned his head to see that Aunt Esme no longer sat in the chair where she had been. She was no longer smiling at him from afar. But she was with him now, peaceful, at rest in the simple, sleek casket set before his feet. Another soft smile and he let fingertips touch against his forehead, his shoulders, making the signs of the cross as he knelt and said his last words to his Great Aunt, wishing her peace for eternity in Heaven.

            His leg twitched and he breathed in deep, suddenly awake. A mumbled groan broke in his chest and he sighed, simply laying still, not bothering to move.

There was something on the TV but he had stopped paying attention a long time ago. It was late, really late but he didn’t feel like going up to bed. He had just slumped on the couch, telling himself he’d head upstairs in a few minutes but his body was having none of it. His long legs were thrown about, one resting atop a cushion, the other propped up on the arm of the couch. A pale hand thrown over his eyes, the other tucked comfortably behind his head and his mouth hung open slightly as the sounds of the TV muttered through his mind.

Somewhere a door creaked and he twitched slightly again, moving to flop over onto his side, pulling the pillow out from under his head and pushing it against his ear. His breathing was heavy as the door creaked again; closing this time followed by footsteps treading lightly down the hallway. They were headed towards him and with a heavy sigh he opened his eyes but didn’t move the pillow away from his face. The footsteps stopped and he heard breathing, knowing it was his older brother Trey just getting home.

The smell of pot hung heavy on the air and Tadgh cleared his throat, listening as the older boy spoke in a rough whisper.

            “Ey…Mum up?”

            “Nah…”

            “Dah gone?”

            “Yeah…”

            His words were muffled as he answered his brother’s questions automatically. It was the same basically every weekend. Tadgh didn’t really care what his brother did, as long as he got home safely and before the sun rose. Though out of habit it seemed, Trey always checked in with Tadgh to see if his parents were around. Their Father worked nights, their Mother went to bed by 2 AM at the latest. It was smooth sailing from there.

            He listened as Trey stood there for a moment still, Tadgh moving the pillow the slightest inch to glance at his brother with lifted brow. But he was just watching the flickering images on TV. It was some sort of Anime, Tadgh had no idea what about and he wasn’t really interested. Tossing the pillow aside he sat up and rubbed at his eyes, yawning as he glanced at his brother and started to speak, “’Ow were ih…ave fu…” but his words were cut off by the sharp ringing of the telephone.

            Blinking sharply both boys turned to look at the phone at the same time. Who would call at this hour? Instantly the cold feeling of dread spread through his chest but Tadgh tried to swallow it down. With a frown the younger glanced at the older, who simply shrugged and soon Tadgh had the phone in his hand and pressed to his ear. It was his Father on the other end, his voice heavy, thick, and the hint of tears painfully obvious.

            “Tadgh…wake yer Motha…Aunt Esme’s dead.”