The Parting

He was dying he knew it, it was his time. In fact it was past his time. He was so old that he suspected most people already thought he was dead. He had been thinking about the past a lot lately, especially about Mary, God he missed her.

“Would you hurry up Tom, the ship isn’t going to wait for us you know”. “I’m coming, Mary I don’t know why you are in such a hurry to leave your home and family.” It is not that I want to leave, but there is nothing to keep me here. “What are you smiling at Michael O’Shannon,” “Nothing” Michael said as he steadied the horse and wagon.

He, Mary and Tom had been friends since they could walk. Mary and Tom were going to marry, that was the truth. It was true as the sun rising in the East and setting in the West. That didn’t stop him from staring. He loved how Mary stood with her hand on her hip with he skirt fitting tightly over her hip. He smiled again.

Mary and Tom walked toward the dock. “I don’t want to go” “What do you mean.” Mary stared back at Tom, her mind racing a 100 miles and hour. They had planned and saved for almost a year for this trip. Tom had always been the steady and down to earth one. It was Michael who had always been unpredictable and full of fire. A little bit like her if she was being honest. Ever since the famine had gotten worst in their area the world had turned upside down. Now Michael was the steady one and Tom had gone all dreamy. “This is my home and land and I don’t want to leave it.” “I have no reason to stay, I want something better for my future or at least my children future”

“What the heck is going on Michael thought as he saw Tom coming back toward him. His head was down looking like a puppy who had been kicked. There as nothing in the wagon he had left behind. In fact there had been vey little to start with. ”Why are you back.“ ”I am not going, I need you to go and make sure Mary is okay.“ Michael stood there and stared at Tom, mouth open swearing that the sun had just stopped in the sky. ”But, what about you and Mary, you are supposed to be married.“ ”I know“ Tom said his voice fading away. ”Maybe I’ll come later, I just can’t go now and Mary will not wait. Michael saw Mary in the distance standing facing the ship, trying not to look back. “Ok, are you sure,” “Yes”, said Tom.

Michael walked toward Mary and stood by her. He could tell she was trying not to cry. “I am supposed to go with you,” “Yes” Mary said quietly. They started toward the ship and went up the plank. They stood on the deck looking back at Tom. “Maybe he will come later” Michael said. Mary looked at him with a sad smile. They both knew that wasn’t true. The ship began to slip it’s mooring and they were ordered down below. They took one more look back at Tom, and somehow both of them knew it would be the last time they would see him.