She held the flowers loosely in her hand as her brown eyes gazed upon the various names etched in cold stone. Her movement ceased when she saw the small grave marker covered in dirt and overgrown grass.
Lightly her fingers brushed against the hidden letters. “William Austin,” she whispered into the wind, tucking a stray piece of shoulder length sandy blond hair behind her ear. She uncovered the stone carefully and set the petite bouquet of daisies and lily of the valley near the base, sitting down softly in the stiff grass.
She sat quietly for a moment, thinking about the name before her, waiting for any memories to float her way. Minutes later, after the birds continued singing sweetly from the ash tree above, she spoke again.
“Well, Mr. Austin, I don’t know if we’ve ever met...” She looked quickly at the dates listed: 1911- 1976. “I guess that’s a no, but we could have been acquaintances somewhere down the line. And if not, everybody could use a visitor now and then, right?” She paused again, looking around at the lonesome cemetery. “Nobody should be forgotten.”
“I guess I should introduce myself. My name is Chloe Hamilton. I live not too far from here, maybe twenty minutes or so. On my way home, from school that is, I stop here from time to time, just to visit. I know it sounds weird, but for some reason I don’t think that you mind.”
She laughed at herself briefly, a light smile coming to her face. “I would think I’m crazy too. It’s just that, like I said, nobody should be forgotten. I, myself feel that way sometimes. I ran away when I was eleven. When I was out there by myself, I fell. I don’t remember a thing now. So I guess it was me choosing to forget. It’s all for the best I presume. I must have been running from something, and I can’t imagine anything good being left behind. Besides, life now is great. I’m truly blessed.”
“My dad just broke his leg at work. That’s why I’m heading home. I’m going to spend some time there, maybe a month or so. Then I’ll be back at school. Only a year left of college. It’s hard being away sometimes, especially with Kat growing up. She’s fifteen now. I’m looking forward to seeing her.”
She checked her silver watch quickly, seeing it read 5:25. “With that I guess I should go. Dinner’s going to be starting soon. It was very nice meeting you, Mr. Austin. I’ll try and come back again. I promise. And this,” she waved her hand around, “will be our little secret.”
Chloe stood up slowly, wiping a small piece of grass from her jeans and smiling before turning back to her car that waited just on the small dirt road. Coming to the cemetery was something she found herself doing from time to time, always alone, always looking for that forgotten grave. It made her feel a bit better about things, comforted her in a strange way. It was something all her own. Her little secret.