Chapter Text
The cabin was about to feel even lonelier than usual, as sickness desperately tried to drag Alexa’s father to an early grave. The man had been confined to his bed for weeks, unable to provide for their small family of two. But Alexa didn’t mind working, she simply wished for her father to have a swift recovery.
The cabin was a decent size, allowing for two single beds on one side of the house with a kitchen across them. Between the two beds was a windowed door to a small balcony, where you could easily overlook the garden and see if the cellar door outside was open or not.
Alexa walked from the kitchen to her father’s bed, holding a plate with some mashed potatoes she had recently prepared. Near the beginning of his illness, he used to insist on getting his food himself, but with each day, walking got harder and harder. He had started to eat less, Alexa being unsure if it was due to a lack of appetite or the shame of having to count on someone like this. But each day she would be there with a meal she had prepared for him.
“You should eat. You look famished,” Alexa said as she handed the plate of food to her father. The man shook his head at the request.
“You’re too kind to me, but I feel I must refuse. This old body of mine won’t hold on for much longer,” the man spoke in a voice that was rough and tired. “Save the food for yourself, you deserve it more than I do.”
Alexa sighed, sitting on the side of his bed and taking the man’s hand, holding it tight. His skin was getting wrinkly and you could see the veins in his hand clear as day. Feels as if just yesterday her father was dancing with her in the garden, back when her feet could barely keep up with his. It’d be hard to recognize him as the spry young man who taught her everything she knew if it weren’t for those teal eyes of his. The same ones she inherited.
“It’s merely a cold, right? You’ll heal,” her voice cracked. It felt as if something had gotten stuck in her throat, making it harder and harder to speak.
Her father placed the plate on the nightstand that remained by his bed, putting his hands on top of his daughter’s. Everyday for the past 20 years, he wished he could freeze time so he could admire her for a little longer. Sure, the garden was nice, but she was his pride and joy.
“Alexa, my beautiful girl. If only your mother could see you now, she’d be so proud. Everyday by your side has been a blessing I never deserved. Believe me, I’d give anything to stay with you, but I’m afraid my time is running out. When the day comes that they take me away from you, I know you’ll take good care of the garden for us. You’ve grown into a beautiful woman and I love you so much,” he said with a smile on his face.
Alexa teared up upon hearing those words. How words can wound and heal at the same time was a mystery to her. Before she could respond, her father had slowly closed his eyes and drifted to sleep. Alexa kissed her father’s forehead, whispering a quick “I love you”, before getting up on her feet. As she pondered what to do with the mashed potatoes, her stomach growled, reminding that she hadn’t eaten all day. She grabbed the plate before sitting down on her bed, eating it and falling into a food coma not long after.
When the sun rose and Alexa woke up, she went straight to her father’s bed to check how he was feeling, but to her surprise, he was already gone. His lifeless body laid there, cold and pale. Alexa tried desperately to wake him, but there was no response, not even the weakest heart beat could be felt. Alexa sobbed, hugging her old man tightly: “You didn’t let me say goodbye.”