Leaving Without You

The sun shines brightly as the ray of light touches the small house of the Birkin family in the middle of Kentidale, Farmland. A place where lowly farmers live and make a living to survive by crops in small areas of Kentidale.

The small house can fit two people with a small handmade brick kitchenette, a comfy wooden bed and table, and a small fireplace to keep the house warm during the cold night.

A bowl of porridge, a slightly tilted spoon, a cup of black coffee, and a left-over bread prepared by Creighton as the morning sets. He slowly walks towards the bed to check on Liam who has just woken up, yawning so adorably as he stretches his arms up in his cute old baby pajamas. Baby Liam just turned one year old. Wiping his eyes as he smiled at his father's gaze.

"Good morning, my Liam?" Creighton smiles as he slowly carries him out of the bed.

They both took a bath together in a fitted old wooden bathtub with the right warm water temperature, as they enjoy soaking. Liam tapped his hand on the water, as Creighton warmly smiles watching his son in front as he holds him.

He dressed up Liam with the only used toddler clothes given by one of his friends on the farm. And a pair of jandals that fits well to his cute little feet. In his left lap, he holds Liam as he feeds him the porridge he made for breakfast, as he eats a piece of the sliced bread with his coffee. Liam seems to enjoy the porridge as he taps the table with his cute little hands.

"Liam, we will visit your mother before we leave this house," Creighton said as Liam looked at him, with a warm smile, chewing his porridge.

**

Creighton carried his son with a piece of baby wrap made of cotton linen, wrapped around his body, as he carried his old, ragged bag on his right shoulder. Wearing his only decent khaki V neck short sleeve t-shirt paired with used cotton linen brown pants, with a pair of rundown rugged shoes.

Near the side of their house is a big Mahogany Tree, where his wife was buried. Lucy Birkin died after giving birth to Liam. And so, Creighton decided to leave the farmland to start a new life and to give a better future to their son.

"Lucy! I and our son Liam are going far away to start a new life. It will be hard for us, but I will promise that I will provide a better future for our son." he said, standing in front of her grave soil, a wooden cross with her name that was carved by Creighton.

Creighton again flashback the time with Lucy and before she died. He was holding their newly born baby, Liam, as he holds Lucy's left hand sitting beside her on the bed, grasping her breath, she bled too much from giving birth all by herself. They could not afford to pay a midwife. Creighton did his best to help her during her labor.

"Creighton, make sure to give our son a better life, please promise me," Lucy said as she slowly grasps her breath, in tears. She slowly leans forward and tried to reach her right hand to hold their son's head.

"I promise, Lucy," Creighton in tears, he caressed Lucy left hand onto his face, while Liam is soundly asleep.

Lucy slowly lay down on the bed, in tears, yet she warmly smiled looking at Creighton.

"Liam is the fruit of our love. But, when the time comes, and when you are ready, I want you to find your happiness too Creighton. I want you to smile as you used to because you deserve more than this. So, please promise me, that you will smile and love the person who will show you the warmth of love the way you have given to me. I love you, Creighton"

Lucy slowly closes her eyes. Creighton's eyes wide open, as tears drip from his tired eyes, and sobbed holding Lucy's hand.

"I love you too, Lucy,"

***

"Lucy, the memories have, I will keep them forever in my heart."

And, Creighton bid his farewell to his beloved wife, as he keeps his promises to her.