They hadn't been here in a long while, both Gabriel and Cassy. Gab sideglanced at Cassy as she stood beside him, almost transfixed at the sight of The Kiln. He saw her lips move and even though he knew it was a soundless muttering, in his mind he heard her call Matthew's name.
For sixty years he never actually heard her say Matthew's name, never even talked about him. When discussions, with anyone, veered towards The Kiln or Matthew, Cassy always found a way to avoid it. But Gab knew Matt was always there with them, he felt his presence all the time. So when on their anniversary, she asked to see the new Brickworks, Gab was surprised.
He had loved Cassy, from when they were this high. When they were still three, Cassy, Matthew and him, Gabriel, he had loved her. As teenagers, when he declared that he would marry Cassy and that they will live happily ever after, Matthew laughed and Cassy blushed. Then Matthew took to the seas for years and years. After college, Gab proposed to Cassy and she reluctantly accepted. Reluctant as in the three of them promised they would be present when any of them got married. Three months before the wedding, Matthew came home, surprised at their engagement and yet seemed happy for the both of them.
Matt needed a job and Gab was a manager at the Brickworks. Gab noticed that Cassy's visits to the factory became more frequent, toting a picnic basket with lunch for the three of them. They sat on the grass on the escarpment, watching the birds, and reminiscing their threesome adventures as young kids.
On the day of Gabriel and Cassy's wedding, Matthew was nowhere. Some said the adventurer in him happened to call and he just had to leave. Some said he was in love with Cassy and couldn't bear to lose her to Gabriel.
The truth was, something happened between Cassy and Matthew during the week that Gab attended a meeting in London. Cassy told Gab she could not marry him because she was pregnant with Matthew's child. But Matthew said he wasn't serious, Cassy cried and threatened to kill herself, a decent woman just didn't get pregnant during that time. Gab told Cassy he would still marry her despite.
It happened a long time ago, in another century, in another world, it seemed to Gab. Now the kiln houses are being repaired and renovated yet again, and he wondered if they would find Matthew's remains this time.
-o0o-
for the 52-week challenge, the challenge this week is 'landscape: reflection' - finding a way to show your landscape/natural beauty in reflection.
you might remember the kiln house on the right from a posting from last july
here.
thank you for your kind visits and comments; know that they are truly appreciated.
