Gladys had been with Rachel over two months. She slowly gained some strength back but most days it was a struggle. Gladys children had all come to visit when Gladys first took ill, but now their visits were few and far between, only her son had stayed on. On Gladys request her house was sold and all the furniture was given away to charities or given to friends of hers and Rachel's. This surprisingly was organised by Gladys son, who had been a great help during this time. Gladys only needed some clothes and a large wooden box from her house she said, everything else could be dispersed. Rachel had been curious about the box ever since she brought it from the house, but never pressed it, figuring it was full of old photos and mementoes that Gladys may not have wanted to share.
Rachel had taken compassionate leave from work when Gladys got sick. She now worked only a few days a week, enough to make repayments on the house and live, the rest of the time was used to take care of Gladys. Their weekly visits to the cemetery had stopped long before Gladys got sick. Rachel had stopped going so often after the first anniversary of Gary's death, she now only went on special occasions. Gladys had ceased going when she couldn't get herself there any more. She still made a wish every week, just not at the wishing well.
In the middle of the night Rachel awoke to Gladys calling for her. She raced down to Gladys room to find Gladys reaching for her. Rachel rushed to the bed and sank to her knees beside the bed clutching Gladys hand.
"Let me get an ambulance for you, please!" Rachel exclaimed trying to get up.
"Please don't" Gladys breathed with difficulty "I want to go home. I want to be with Brian. I need to ask you to do something for me though."
"Anything, anything just please don't leave me" Rachel had begun to sob.
Gladys spoke slowly "I have never known anyone like you. You are the sweetest, kindest person. You mean the absolute world to me. My children are wonderful, they are very important to me. But you, you are something else. You are special. The kids will take care of all the legalities, but I need you to do something very important." She tried to raise her hand to point to the dresser. Rachel saw what she was wanting and grabbed the wooden box.
"Take this to the wishing well. This is my wish. I never got to go and wish it for myself, so I want you to wish it for me. Please"
"Of course, of course I will" Rachel was now sobbing uncontrollably. "You have been like family to me Gladys. What will I ever do without you" Tears were now rolling freely down her face.
Gladys took Rachel's chin and made her look up at her. "You are my kindred spirit. You will never know the joy you have brought to my life. My heart swells with pride for you. Never lose yourself Rachel. You are precious. I will always watch over you and will never be far away if you need me.
Rachel nodded.
"Could you open the blinds for me Rachel, I want to see the sun rise."
Rachel stood up and went over to the window and pulled open the blinds. She heard the wooden box fall with a crash to the floor. She drew breathe in sharply and put her hand over her heart leaning forward as if in pain. Her heart started thumping violently in her chest. She leaned her hand on the windowsill, looked out the window and cried.
The day of Gladys funeral was a beautiful spring day. It was a simple ceremony. Her children were there and so were her grandchildren and a scattering of friends. After the burial Rachel looked at the grave stone. She was laid next to her husband, exactly where she wanted to. She had left some money to Rachel in her will. Rachel kissed her fingers and bent to press them against the stone. She sighed and walked with the wooden box over to the wishing well.
Rachel hadn't looked in this box since Gladys had gone. She unlocked it and opened it carefully now and looked in side. She expected a number of wishes in there, but there was only one slip of paper wrapped around a silk handkerchief with a perfect coin inside. She took the coin out of the silk and placed the handkerchief in her pocket. She opened the note and read
"I love you like you were my family. My last wish is for you to be everything you ever wanted to be. Be happy Rachel, all the days of your life. I wish for not more sorrow to cross your path. With love Gladys."
As a tear fell down her cheek Rachel threw the coin in followed by the paper.
She dabbed at her cheek, let out a sigh and smiled as she walked away. She looked up to the sky and said, "I love you Gladys. Thank you".
