Burn my Shadow

Every night in my dreams/I see you, I feel you/That is how I know you go on./Far across the distance/And spaces between us/You have come to show you go on.../You're here/There's nothing I fear/And I know that/My heart will go on/We'll stay/Forever this way/You are safe in my heart/And my heart will go on and on

I place a half-empty bottle of brandy in front of my brother's tombstone with a small sigh. It's been two years and my brother's death still weighed on me, though I had a few distractions to keep my mind occupied for the most part. Strong arms wrap around my waist from behind, pulling me gently against their chest as they rest their chin on top of my head.

"'Twas noontide of summer, and mid-time of night; and stars, in their orbits, shone pale through the night," I say softly before I turn to smile up at my husband, kissing him on the lips. A little girl with a head of dark girls races over to me, Carl chasing her.

"Momma, is dat un-tle Edgar's," she asks in her broken English, a curious light shining in her hazen eyes.

"That's right, sweetie," Emmett answers, picking her up. "What d'ya say we go feed the horse an apple or two while momma says bye?" The two-year-old giggles, nodding her head emphatically. I look back down at the grave, rubbing my swelling stomach. "I miss you, elder brother," I manage around a sob," Emily has a little boy now and he looks exactly like you, attitude and all. God, we love you Edgar, see you in the next life." I slowly walk away, but something makes me pause and turn around. The bottle I had just sat down was now on its side and completely empty.

I love you, little sister.

Shivering, I smile and walk down the path to my family, knowing my brother had heard me.

The sequel has been posted; its title is Bad Moon Rising! The song is My Heart Will go on by Celine Dion.