A Tinn’s tale

After midwinter, the days were beginning to get longer. Every tree hid life, but if Robyn took another look, she could see that everything almost burst out of the buds.

They had, finally, been able to sneak off together and now they walked in the outskirts of the woods.

‘Are you sure you know the way back?’ asked Robyn, just to be certain.

‘Sure.’

They walked on a while in silence, but then Robyn felt like bursting.

‘I am so happy it’ll be spring,’ she blurted out. ‘I felt like exploding all that time in the house, all those worries and not being able to get outside..’

‘But now we are.’

‘Now we are.’

They sat on a fallen trunk. Robyn leaned happily against Frank and sighed.

‘So, how are things? Last time I saw you properly, you were busy and that was a week ago.’

‘They are fine,’ Frank replied. ‘Obviously we miss dad a lot, but you see.. It’s been quite a while now, and even mum is over her worst grief now, and I am just very glad I apologized to him.’

‘I see,’ Robyn mumbled.

‘The worst sorrow is gone now, and all that is left of him now is a happy memory and an aching gap in our heart. I am sure you feel the same way about your own father.’

‘Yes. But the aching gap is healing a little now, having you to fill it with love,’ Robyn stroked his hand.

‘I think it will never quite heal. But there is some callosity growing on it.’

They sat quietly quite a while, just sharing their love and grief.

‘You know,’ Robyn said, ‘I’ve always wondered what you were like. I used to watch you from a distance and couldn’t help but wonder, what would such a typical boy be like?’

‘And, do you like what you know now?’ Frank eyed her with an odd look.

‘Yes,’ she whispered.

‘And?’ he mumbled into her hair.

‘I’d never have guessed that you’d be so full of love.’

He looked at her tenderly and kissed her full on her lips.