“I’m sure your wife wanted to take Anna to Asia to show her this very sight. For your wife, this was a special memory she shared with you and something she thought should never be forgotten. Since getting actual sakura trees wasn’t feasible, she probably got these petals for you instead.”
“Is that right…?”
“That’s not all, either. Did you know all those herbs in your kitchen were picked out especially for you? Every bottle on that shelf heals something that you deal with.”
Rosemary, lavender, hibiscus, chamomile, ginger. These herbs calmed the nerves, relieved stress, and warmed up the body. Most of the herbs in Dr. Hendy’s wife’s cabinet had some sort of relaxing effect.
Being a doctor was a stressful job, both mentally and physically. I could tell Dr. Hendy’s wife left behind the perfect herb cabinet for him.
“You still might have regrets about neglecting your wife for your work while she was alive, but I think your wife knew how you truly felt. Look at all the herbs, the sakura petals, and the flowers she used to get for you… There aren’t many people who show their love for their family as she did. I think she truly loved you and your daughter from the bottom of her heart.”
“Meg…”
I gently tightened my grip around Anna’s hand as she looked up at the falling sakura petals.
“I think your mother is fine now. She finally got to show her beloved daughter the sight she wanted to most. You don’t have to worry anymore.”
Then it happened. Anna’s big wide eyes went glossy.
“I don’t need…to hold it in anymore?”
“Nope. Everything is all right now.”
“Really?”
“Really. You did good, Anna.”
When she heard these words, two big tears escaped Anna’s watery eyes and ran down either side of her cheeks.
“Ever since Mummy went away…I’ve been so lonely…and Daddy is always so sad…and Mummy’s gone…forever and ever…”
“Anna…!”
Dr. Hendy gave his daughter a firm hug.
“I’m so sorry, Anna. Daddy feels better now. I won’t let you feel lonely ever again. Okay?”
“Okay…!”
Large tears gushed out and ran down the sides of both of their faces. It was like the feelings they had both been holding deep inside were being let out all at once.
Watching them made me think of something: Anna’s mother was smiling in every picture there was of her, even up until her death. I’m sure this wasn’t because she was unafraid of her own death, but that when her family looked back on their time with her, she wanted their memories to be good. She wanted them to remember her smiling. She wanted to be a wonderful memory.
“I think your mother wanted you to smile after she passed away…”
Tears fell from their cheeks like the pink petals from the trees above, and I heard the soft tinkling of crystallized shards falling into the bottle at my waist.
“Thank you, Miss Meg.”
By the time my magic’s effect wore off, the sun was low in the sky, and our shadows extended long on the ground.
I walked the pair back to their home, where we said our good-byes.
“Do you think that was enough for your mum?”
“Yeah, I think she’s super happy.”
“Even though they weren’t real sakura trees?”
“Well…um…yeah…”
You gotta give me something to work with, kid, I privately lamented to myself, when Dr. Hendy came forward with a bow of his head.
“It looks like my daughter and I hadn’t moved on since my wife passed. But you made me realize that’s not what Iris would’ve wanted. She wanted us to be happy more than anything else. I don’t think I could’ve figured this out without you.”
“You need to be the father Anna needs, and I have faith you can be. Although, is your practice okay? You ended up staying out during your afternoon check-ups.”
“Ha-ha… I think my patients will forgive me for one day.”
Just as Dr. Hendy said this, the clock at the center of town rang out, indicating that it was five o’clock.
“Oh man! I gotta run, or Teach is gonna kill me! Until we meet again…!”
I spun on my heel and prepared to sprint, but then Anna called out, “Miss Meg!”
I turned once more to see her staring at me with sparkles in her eyes.
“Are you gonna be like Lady Faust someday, too?”
“Huh? What’s this all of a sudden?”
“I think you will! You showed us my mummy’s favorite flowers! I think you’ll be a great witch, just like Lady Faust! I really do! So promise me you will become one!”
“Uhhh… ’Kay…”
I couldn’t say it. That I only had a year left to live.
My inability to come up with a response must’ve been all too clear, because Dr. Hendy picked up his daughter from behind and stepped in.
“You don’t have to worry about young Meg, Anna. She will become one of the greatest mages to ever live.”
He was being so straightforward; I could tell there wasn’t a doubt in the doctor’s mind when he said that. In fact, his eyes were beginning to sparkle just like his daughter’s. I wiped my nose to hide my embarrassment.
“Fine! When I become a real witch, I’ll fulfill our promise by showing you a real sakura tree.”
“Really?!”
I couldn’t help smiling at the glimmer in Anna’s eyes, and I nodded firmly.
“Yup! You just wait and see!”
The evening view of this town was one thing I really liked about it.
There were people on their way home from work, the market was alive with busybody housewives, and the smell of stew for dinner escaped from the brick homes into the streets.
It was a nice sight to see but also somewhat lonely. I felt something warm brush up against my leg as I walked. It was Carbuncle, and he was scratching at my feet.
“Oh, whoops. I completely forgot about you.”
I picked him up, and he yowled at me. Evidently, he was mad.
“C’mere, you,” I said and gave him a good petting, which he seemed to like because before long, he responded with his usual “Squeak…” and then quieted down.
The squeak means he’s happy. I’m sure of it…
I placed him on my shoulder, then continued down the same path we’d used to enter the town.
“Hey! You’re Lady Faust’s disciple! You on your way home?”
“Yup.”
“It’s the disciple. Hope you had a good day.”
“You too.”
“Wait! Would you mind bringing this to Lady Faust for me? It’s a little treat for dinner.”
“Thanks, Granny.”
I was always greeted by many people when I walked these streets. Their smiles stayed with me that day, though. I then recalled a day long ago when I’d walked this same road with my teacher.
I used to be bullied by the kids in town when I was younger. We would get into fights, and if I fought back, they would beat me down with their numbers. That day, I’d been clenching my fists in frustration as I sat in a corner of the town.
“There you are, Meg.”
It was my teacher. She’d come to pick me up.