Those Companions (Finale 3)

Late autumn sunlight filtered through the gaps between the plane tree leaves and fell across the cemetery path. Mr. Eisen leaned on a black ebony cane as he slowly made his way toward the place he knew so well.

His steps were far heavier than usual, not merely because of his advancing years. His posture was no longer straight, and his once eagle-sharp eyes had sunk deep into their sockets, surrounded by wrinkles.

He stopped before the flower bed and looked at the white jade headstone in its center.

Luna in the photograph was forever forty-six, gazing gently at him.

Mr. Eisen took a deep breath. The mingled fragrance of roses, gardenias, orchids, and chrysanthemums filled his nostrils, yet it could not dispel the crushing weight in his chest.

"I came to see you again, darling." His voice was hoarser than usual, and the tip of his cane sank deeply into the soft earth.

He took a neatly folded sheet of paper from his coat's inner pocket and slowly unfolded it with trembling fingers.

It was the diagnosis the doctor had given him three days ago—late-stage pancreatic cancer.

Estimated remaining lifespan: five months.

"Luna, I'll be joining you soon." He gave a bitter smile, placed the diagnosis before the headstone, and weighed it down with a fresh bouquet of white calla lilies.

"The doctor called it the 'King of Cancer.' There isn't even a chance for surgery. The pain has already begun. Right here." He pressed a hand to his upper abdomen, where an invisible demon was devouring his life.

The autumn wind swept up several fallen leaves, sending them circling around the headstone.

Mr. Eisen painfully lowered himself into a squat, and that simple movement brought fine beads of sweat to his forehead.

He gently stroked his wife's photograph