I woke up to the aroma of pancakes and coffee. Mark was in the kitchen making breakfast. I was snuggled in all my big fluffy blankets, they were like giant clouds. It was so nice seeing the rays of light coming through my bedroom window. I was so comfortable.
"Come on, wake up babe."
"I'm up, I'm up." Even though I really wasn't because I remained in the same position with my eyes closed.
He came into the room and jumped on the bed. "It's going to be a beautiful day, so we've got to take advantage of our time together and enjoy it while the gorgeous weather lasts."
It wasn't long till I gave up on my attempt to sleep in. It was Saturday morning. The day when Mark and I got to relax and spend the whole day together. I got up and walked to the kitchen table, grabbed my cup of coffee, and started reading the paper. I turned to the obituary section, where I saw a tiny caption and layout of Fil. I read, "Our beloved Fil died in a fatal tree accident. He will never be forgotten." I read on and discovered the poor guy died from a tree fall. Apparently he was sleeping in his make-shift tree house trying to hide from that treacherous thunderstorm, when lighting and wind took down his home.
He lived on his own for a while in that tree. Even though he was homeless, he was fine living there. His crushed body was discovered by grandma Pearl early in the morning.
"Wow I never thought such a kind young man would lose his life so suddenly." I frowned.
"I guess it was just his time. Everything happens for a reason, and besides he's in a much better place." he said with sympathy.
His words were appeasing, and I told Mark that I would like to pay my respects at the funeral later today. He just nodded and said "I would be happy to come along."
The two of us left for our morning run. For the first time ever, Washington Heights actually looked pretty. Despite the trash on the street and the sight of a number of overtly struggling businesses, the city looked beautiful. I never noticed how much beautifully colored trees lined the streets. Washington Heights didn't look as much like the ghetto, but more just like a highly populated urbanized area. I was really enjoying it and so was Mark.
We ate lunch and this time walked back home. It was three o'clock and we had to be ready to go to Fil's funeral by five. The funeral was nice, and everyone got the chance to say their goodbyes.
"It's so terrible how Fil died." Mark said to Mr. Dupont.
"I know, it's just not right." He replied.
In an attempt to bring Mark and Henry out of their sadness I said, "I think heaven above is taking good care of him. Just look at how gorgeous this day is. It's trullly a divine gift."
The sunny weather was nice. It made Washington Heights a place where more smiles and laughter exists. The city was actually normal for a short time, that is until the clouds began to come in. That's when the familiar feeling of depression came in. I absolutely hated bad weather, and I had had enough. Mark and I decided to get the apartment in another city. We began packing up our clothes, dishes, furniture,and everything else we wanted to take with us. The next morning was moving day and I couldn't wait.
Before Mark and I went to bed I said, "Finally the day we've been waiting for is tomorrow. We've prepared and now we are ready to make our dreams of living in a normal place a reality."
Mark looked into my eyes and stared at me with a serious face. We both understood how not only moving would take us out of this hell we call home, but it would also be us taking the next step into our relationship...
A couple seconds went by, and we just began to smile at each other. "I can't believe this will be our LAST night sleeping in this god foresaken place." I leaned over to turn off the light, then I snuggled closer to him and kissed him goodnight.
"I love you Lucy."
"I love you too."
