Why did I buy these?

Because they remind me of you.

Small and round. Red and sweet.

My only memory of you.

“I’m home!” I sang out as I went in the front door. I frowned when there was no answer. That was weird. You were usually home before me. “Matt? Hello?” I took off my coat and hung it up. “You here or what?” That’s when I noticed something on the floor. I bent down to take a closer look. It was a cherry. What was that doing there? “Matt?” I called again. There was another cherry further along the corridor. Then another. It was a trail, leading into the kitchen. “Matt? What’s going on?” I pushed open the door to the kitchen. “What are you doing?”

You grinned at me, “What d’you think?”

“I think I see you cooking, but that can’t be right…” The room was lit with the soft glow of candles. The cherries trailed over to a white sheeted table with places set for two. There was a single red rose in the glass vase in the middle. There was yet another cherry on one of the chairs, then another sitting on a plate on the table in front of the chair. I assumed that was where you wanted me to sit. I picked up the cherry so I wouldn’t squash it and slid onto the seat, dangling my cherry in my mouth by the stalk.

You laughed slightly, “Don’t say that. For all you know, I could be a master chef.”

“You could,” I agreed, putting the cherry in my mouth. “But it’s unlikely.

“Oi!” You came over to me and pulled me up out of my seat. “Don’t insult the cook. You never know what he might put in the food…”

“You gonna poison me then?” I asked with a giggle. “No. Wait. You don’t have to add anything to do that…”

A look of mock insult crossed your face, “How dare you?!” You looped an arm round my waist and pulled me closer. “You’ll regret that later. I’ll punish you, y’know…”

“Oh, will you now?” I stared into your hazel eyes, getting lost in their depth. “I love you. Thanks for all this.”

Your lips brushed mine. “I love you too, Jay…” you whispered to me before placing your mouth gently over mine.

After a moment I pulled back, and grinned at you suggestively “Is there enough cooking time left that you can start the punishment now?”

That night, they were there. On that perfect night. With the food you made yourself and the perfect atmosphere.

Before you left me.

No-one saw it coming. The doctors were all stumped. One year ago. The morning after that incredible night.

The incredible night shattered by the pain-stricken morning.

You could see it coming. The way you raised my hands to your lips and whispered your love one last time before your knees gave out.

No-one else was there. No-one else had to see you die.

But they were there. They were part of it.

Cherries.