Dave knew Rebecca had arrived even before he opened his eyes. He could sense the subtle change in the wind, the feel of another being disrupting the peace of the hilltop. The smell of her perfume, like the old friend you haven't heard from in a while who suddenly stops by to say hello, and good-bye. The way she approached him, here, where he'd taken her on their first date. The slight cold of apprehension that arose from somewhere within him.
He opened his eyes before she'd gotten to him, and he looked out from where he sat at the pinnacle of the hill. Looking out from his lotus posture, he watched the sun slowly descend towards the horizon for just a moment before slightly turning his head to let her know he knew she was there. Slowly standing, he walked to her, meeting her just beyond halfway from her car.
"Julie said you were here..." she said, giving him a hesitant smile, not knowing what to say. Taking a deep calming breath, shuddering ever so slightly, she began "I need to tell you..."
He stopped her, ever so gently laying the middle three fingers of his right hand upon her lips. Just below his throat, near to the heart, Dave felt that feeling again. The need for breath to stop the quivering. Shaking his head to hide the slight sob that crept into that breath, he lowered his hand from her mouth, taking her hand in his and leading her to the hilltop from which he just came. He lightly pulled her down, crossing his legs Indian style. She did the same.
He sat so the edges of his knees touched hers.
"Close your eyes, 'Becca..." he whispered. She did so, a small tear rolling from the corner of one, down her cheek. He reached out, brushing it away. His hand stayed there, just a second too long, before returning to his lap.
He would share this with her, he had decided. His last gift.
"Breath in through your nose, deeply, slowly, feeling the life of the air, as it fills you. Breath out through your mouth, and let go the anger, the pain. You have no need of it any more."
Rebecca did as Dave bid, slowly coming to the place of calm he had so often talked about, of which she had never understood. Still watching her, he smiled.
"Now, remember a time you were happy. Truly happy, and content. Breath in. Breath out. Remember. Feel the memory, embrace it. Feel the love that all who know you share for you. Let it become one with you. Do you feel it, 'Becca?"
She smiled, the first time he'd seen her truly smile in so long.
"Yes, Dave, I feel it..." she whispered, another tear lightly following the dry path of the last.
"Now open your eyes," he replied, reaching out and slightly turning her head towards the sunset.
Rebecca drew in her breath. "It's so beautiful..." She watched as the last of the sun slipped down past the horizon, leaving its colors blazing in the sky, like a ghost that fruitlessly tries to remain behind.
"You should probably go, now. Jules will be wondering how it went, how you are."
Looking back to him, she said softly "I'm sorry."
Dave smiled, and reached out to brush away one last tear.
"Don't be," he replied, "Just be happy. That's all I ask of you."
*****
Dave watched as she drove away. And remembered.
He watched until he could no longer see her car, could no longer hear it. Sighing, he walked back to the top of the hill. The lingering light had faded fast, as though it had never existed. Kneeling at the spot where they had sat, Dave drew in a deep breath, and held on to it as long as he could.
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