Read Online Love Never Dies by Loren Lockner - Free Book Online Page B

I never realized it was the last time I’d see him alive. That evening, when I arrived home, I found him sitting in his office with his head drooping; a bullet-hole placed accurately through his skull. His note was brief and to the point. ‘When your mother took my soul, I didn’t realize it would take my life as well. I cannot live without her, so I must seek her.’ He was only fifty years old.”
    Angie gulped and whispered softly. “So you really believe your father had only half a soul when your mother died?”
    “Yes. I believe that when she died the essence of h is soul went with her body into her grave or even perhaps to heaven. I’m not sure about the hereafter, that’s a whole other realm to contemplate within itself, but I do know my father was an empty shell after she died. Without his soul mate there was no reason for him to linger upon this earth any longer.”
    “So what you’re really saying,” said Paul , trying to lighten the somber mood and the expressions of horror mirrored on his sister and girlfriend’s faces, “is that having a soul mate has certain drawbacks?”
    “And certain benef its,” responded Seth. “But it’s not for the faint of heart. We all believe that when we love and marry we will love forever, living to ripe old age and dying within a couple of weeks of each other to rest side by side in a cemetery of our choice. That’s a wonderful fantasy, one I cherish myself; but you see, they didn’t bury my father in a churchyard next to my mother where he belonged. Because he committed suicide and was a Catholic, Dad couldn’t be buried inside the church walls.”
    “That’s terrible,” exclaimed Julia , watching Seth’s face narrow grimly at the remembrance of his father’s fate.
    “So what did you do? I can’t believe you couldn’t bury your father next to your mother! That’s ludicrous!” exclaimed Angie heatedly.
    “I had her disinterred and buried her and my father side by side in non-denominational cemetery. It was the least I could do in honor of their undying love. I would expect my children to do the same for me if that happened.”
    Paul seemed about to retort but the waitress arrived, laden with heavy plates of steaming Mexican food. The four ate quietly, Julia occasionally stealing furtive glances at Seth’s quiet serious face. The sad story of his mother penetrated her heart and she recalled some previously forgotten words he’d stated at the beginning of their love affair.
    “You’ re my soul mate,” he had said, and suddenly Julia realized Seth expected her to share her soul with him, just like his mother and father had done so many years before.
     
     
    “So are you ready for my f amily’s Christmas Eve madness?” asked Paul, collecting the four gifts he’d wrapped just that afternoon and depositing them into a large red paper bag with handles.
    “ I think so. I’ve been warned about what to expect,” replied Seth, adding another log to the fire he’d built only minutes before. It now burned brightly in the lovely living room, casting dancing shadows over the fragrant Christmas tree they’d erected only three days previously.
    “Remember that my Grandma Rose is nice, but nosy. She will be asking everything about you from your deodorant brand to if you ever had braces. I swear she works for the CIA.”
    Seth laughed. “I’ll be on my guard. So you’re off to Angie’s now?”
    “Yeah, I need to deliver the gifts for her folks and then head over later to Mom and Dad’s to finish putting together Mom’s exercise bike. Dad’s about ready to pull out his remaining hair. Julia’s coming here right?”
    “In about forty minutes.”
    “Don’t tell Angie what I got her. If you do I’ll kill you!”
    “I would never spoil another’s special moment. She’s one lucky lady and the diamond pendant is lovely.”
    “I like it too. Ah, Seth? About that stuff you said the other night. Angie’s been going on and on about it and, well,