The Sunset

The Sunset

The SunsetBella steps out onto the veranda and watches the sunset, reminding her of the time when she and her lover used to set out every night hand in hand and listen to the tadpoles sing. Those were the good days when Jack used to love me and promise he would never leave me.

Tears formed in her eyes. He’ll never come back to me. She thought. Does the sunset remind him of me, as it reminds me of him? How could he leave me? Bella decided to check her mail from this afternoon. When she saw a letter that looked like Jack’s handwriting, she hurried to open it. When she noticed it was from Jack, she ripped it open. She started reading, and the more she read, the more she cried. It read:

Dear Bella, my sweetheart. I am here writing with tears in my eyes. Hope you are doing fine and you haven’t forgotten me. Oh, Bella, does your heart still beat for me? Remember the nights we set out watching the sunsets. Do you still think of me? I still think of you. I have never forgotten the touch of your warm soft hands. I can still see how beautiful the sunset made you look. I never planned to leave you, but because being put in jail when I got here in Florida to find work over something I never did. I’m here until those guys have gone to trial. That is in a few days. If they can prove I’m innocent, they will let me go. Pray for me. I know you think I don’t love you anymore, but I love you more than ever. It was the bad guys who forced me against my will to give them all my money and wouldn’t let me go because they said I had to help them rob a bank. The guy ahead of them had his girlfriend write you to make you think I didn’t love you anymore and wouldn’t be back. When they broke into the bank, the cops came, and they blamed everything on me. Please wait for me, baby. I want to marry you.

When Bella finished the letter, she sat on her chair on the veranda and cried as she watched another beautiful sunset. Her tears flowed when she realized Jack still loved her. I can see his face in the sun, and he still looks like he always has. Come home, my darling, we can enjoy the colours of the sunset. I am lonely and need you. It's been a week since I received your letter. I watch for you every day. I have a secret I want to share with you. Come home.

Shortly after Bella sent her letter, a car drove in. When the man got out, it surprised me. It was my Jack. I ran to him, and we kissed. The sun was beginning to set.

“I am home now, baby, to stay. I missed you so much. I will never leave again.”

“I’m so happy to hear that. I have missed you and prayed God would bring you home to me.”

“It’s been lonely nights without you. Not even the setting sun had meaning. The next time you leave, I am going with you. I thought I lost you when I revived that letter from the girl you told me about. I nearly went out of my mind.”

“Those men were cruel to me. They took almost all my money except the money I had in my savings for us to get married. They won’t be getting out of jail until they pay every cent back to me.”

“That’s great, baby.”

“Now what’s the surprise?”

“Before I do, let me show you something.” When Bella showed him a picture of a beautiful sunset, his eyes nearly popped out of his head. “What is this all about? This is the most beautiful sunset picture I have ever seen.”

“Remember when I told you my grandfather loved art and painting, but his cancer slowed him down, and he got this picture painted before he got too weak. He wanted me to give it to you, so he put your name on the back.” Bella stared at him.

“Yes. So he’s gone?” A tear came to his eye.

“Yes, he passed away, but he’s in a better place.”

“I thought a lot of that man,” he wiped his tears.

“I know you did, and he told me if ever I had a baby boy, call it after him. His name was Sunny, meaning warm, happiness, and brightness. So the secret I want to share with you is I am two months along.”

“No, way, really? Oh, baby, I am so happy. Do you know what it is?”

“It’s a boy.”

“Really? So we will call him Sunny.” Jack smiled.

“Yes, I wish my grandfather were still alive.” Bella started to cry.

“Honey, don’t be sad. It’s hard, I know, but one day you will meet him. We will call him Sunny, as grandfather wanted, and take our baby to church every Sunday.”

“Yes. We will.”

“Your grandfather was a great man,” Jack told her.

“For sure. One of the best.”

Jack laid his hand on Bella’s belly. Is it moving yet?”

“I just feel a little move now and again. I haven’t told you the other surprise.”

“No, what is it?”

“When Bella showed him a check, he couldn’t believe it. He gave us that? That’s over five million dollars.”

“Yes, but we can’t let a soul know.” Bella stuck the check back in her purse. “So really that will do us a lifetime.”

“Yes, and now maybe we can go see my mother and father.”

“Sure, we will. Should we go before the baby comes or after?”

“Let’s wait till it’s born. My parents would want to see it.”

“Okay, if that is what you want.”

“Mom would be so proud of it, and even my father. He loves children.”