The Janitor's Requiem

n-laws' estate, his shoulders hunched under an invisible burden. The grandeur of the enormous house that loomed ahead was revealed by t

us had left long before his shift ended, and as he had no car, he was forced to walk. By the time he re

l music. Thomas stopped at the gate, his hand on the bars of the wrought iron. He coul

ightly. Every step seemed heavier on the cobblestone road. When he reached th

eplace. Her lips, which highlighted her sharp features, were painted the same shade as the fabric of her sleek, red o

, of course," in a playful manner, as if she were discu

usion. Getting married? The remarks seemed odd and unsuitable as

at softly, but Caro

his voice low and coll

and distant. A little, sardonic smile came to her

tured towards the table in the corner of the room. A stack of

r's edges, "I sent them yesterday." "The decr

lief as he studied the documents. "Divorce?" he mana

g. Caroline's mother, Elaine, arrived holding a familiar package in her clean hands. Sh

one. She marched up to him and shoved the envelope into his hands. Plea

r words weighing hard on him. He remarked in a

understand? You have been a burden in this family ever s

ade himself maintain his composure. He turned to face Caroline and sa

held out a hand to halt him. "

of no use to this

e, but Thomas's eyes scanned hers for any sign of the lady he had once loved. Som

asked in a firm voice. "The man you're getting

s," she answered plainly. "He has the capacity to do well. He will suppo

ther. "This is enough," she snapped. After signing the documen

carefully penned words. Every statement was a sharp reminder of h

n felt strange in his hands. After finishing, he turne

mumbled to hersel

nd let them know that he was more than just a spectre. However, the words refus

ies flashed through his mind: of late hours spent striving to support ot

nd desire, while his feet carried him aimlessly. He wished that he had been more, that

d with the tears he neglected to clean away. He stopped beneath a f

d towards him. By this late night, what might she be doing all by herself on this lonely road? He meditated. Good

Thomas Ward?" in a calm, resol

g through his clothing. His he

" the individual remarked and

the stranger's face was lighted by the lamppost around the corner.