No Regrets

Zara woke up in a good mood that morning, deciding that she wanted to spend time with her daughter.

“Karson?” She called, entering the study where the man was reading.

“What’s up, beautiful?” He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. He looked tired.

“I’m taking Riley out for breakfast before school.”

“Oh, that sounds wonderful! Have fun,”

She pulled him into a hug before pecking his cheek and getting dressed.

“Ready, Riley?” She called up the stairs. Her teenage daughter came down the stairs fast, dressed and ready with a smile on her face.

“Granny serves the best eggs!” Riley commented when they arrived at the diner.

Zara nodded, “I don’t know how she does it. I need that recipe!”

She giggled, “Too bad she guards it with a samurai sword.”

“You’re kidding…”

“Not even a little,”

“Welcome, ladies!” The waiter greeted them with a smile, pulling out his notepad. “What can I get you both?”

“Coffee,” Zara answered. “And your famous scrambled eggs and bacon.”

“I want that, too, but with a soda instead.”

“Sure thing!”

It was nice having some mother-daughter time together, but they soon had to return home so Riley wouldn’t miss the bus. They returned just as the bus pulled up.

“See ya later, mom! Give dad a hug for me!” She smiled as she ran over to the bus.

Zara smiled and approached the house. It was beginning to rain, a light sprinkle of cold on a hot summer day. Karson exited the house and greeted her with a kiss before playing in the rain and stomping around in a pile of trash near the bin.

She shook her head at his childish behavior, putting her hand on her hip. “You’re cleaning that up!”

He just laughed, continuing to play around.

Zara entered the house, changing out of her wet clothes before settling down in her study. An hour had passed when Karson slumped into the room, a sad smile on his face.

“Tire yourself out?” She chuckled.

He shook his head lightly. “Beautiful, it’s time.”

“Time for what?” She raised a brow, standing up to meet him. “You’re acting strange,”

Karson pressed a soft kiss to her cheek, his voice tired. “I have no regrets. I lived a good life with a beautiful woman and amazing children. I only wish I could be there when Kori grows up.”

“What are you – ”

He fell to the ground, the last words out of his mouth were barely audible, “I love you, Zara.”

“No no no, don’t you dare leave me!” She shook his body, but he didn’t respond.

“Ma-ma?” Kori came waddling into the room after hearing the commotion, seeing her father on the floor. She didn’t understand what was happening but seeing how upset her mother was made her start crying.

‘This can’t be happening, I…’ Sobs racked her body.

The reaper appeared, floating into the room.

“Wait, no!” She pushed him out of the room, nearly on her hands and knees. “Please don’t take him! Give him a little more time, please!”

The reaper spoke, his voice deep and dark. “It is his time,”

“Please, I… please…” Zara sunk to the floor and the reaper re-entered the room, taking the soul of her beloved fiance.

Contrary to popular belief, the reaper does feel sympathy for the families of those he takes, but he must do his job to keep the balance of the world. It’s not an easy job, but it must be done.

Zara was still in the hallway on the floor, slumped against the wall. She managed to text her daughter with shaking hands, telling her to come home immediately.

With her heart gripped with anxiety, Riley ran out of class and returned home, finding her mom a wreck on the floor. Just inside the study, Kori was still standing there, staring at the floor with tears in her eyes.

“Mom, what happened?!” She kneeled in front of her mother. “Where’s dad?!”

The question made her burst into loud sobs and Riley quickly realized what had happened. With her heart sinking to her stomach, she fought back her tears and picked up her baby sister, taking her away from the scene. She distracted her the only way she knew how – by teaching her.

Sympathetic for the Petrichor family, the reaper offered his own type of condolence by cleaning out the potty chair and taking it to the bin at the street.

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