For You Beth

Written for https://lifeafter50forwomen.com/category/what-do-you-see/

James sat in his usual spot, gazing at the red roses blooming in a quiet corner of the park. Nobody spoke, but he preferred to be alone with his thoughts. Beth; the love of his life. What was he doing?

Clinging to a life-raft of memories, he scraped his hands across the battered grain.

She did everything; from washing the dishes, to paying the bills, and the queen of keeping things in a neat pile. If she were here now, she would have taken a cutting off the rose to plant it in her own garden.

If he did that, nothing but the stem would remain.

‘Hi Granddad …’

His granddaughter, no bigger than a dot, tottered over to him.

‘Hi love, what are you doing here?’

‘You having dinner at our house. We are having pizza! I told Mummy I don’t likes pineapple, so I’m giving mine to you.’

He couldn’t refuse to go; Beth’s wish lingered; be there, share in your joy.

‘For you, Beth,’ he said, holding on to her tiny hand.