Matthew entered the Octagon House and it was odd; normally they greeted him? Normally they wanted to see how his day was and to catch up. Matthew could hear the clanging of dishes and silverware and voices coming from the direction of the dining room. When Matthew turned the corner into the room what he saw absolutely blew his mind.
Sitting around the table was Ania, Gregory, and Emmeline, but that isn't what was odd. The fact that they were eating was strange. They're dead? Or at least they were? What happened? When did this happen? If Matthew was tired when he entered the Octagon House he wasn't any longer. He was definitely wide awake and millions of questions were floating around in his mind.
Ania waved when she noticed him enter the dining room. Her wave was casual not as if she were eating gluttonously. "I'm so hungry and it all tastes so good!" she said noticing him watching her eat. Ania shrugged her shoulders and continued eating and drinking to her sweet merriment.
"Hey Matthew." Gregory called out as if him eating was the most normal thing in the world.
Was nobody going to address this thought Matthew. But, to be fair he wasn't even sure how to begin.
When Matthew entered the door Emmeline raised her eyes from her plate and looked at Matthew. She stood up so quickly and violently the chair fell to the floor with a thud. She ran over and hugged him. She hugged him as if he was her life-force as if they hadn't seen each other in years. Not just this morning.
But for Emmeline, she hadn't seen him for over a century. When she saw him earlier she was the same old Emmeline neither dead nor alive in some limbo with no memories. But now, now she had her memories and she remembered everything. But most importantly she remembered Matthew.
Matthew took a sudden quick small step back surprised by her sudden onslaught. Really since he had entered the dining room it has been nothing but an attack on his brain. He wrapped his arms around her.
"I've missed you." Emmeline whispered for his ears alone.
Matthew cocked a brow, "I just saw you earlier this evening?"
Emmeline pulled her face back and shook her head softly. She had tears that were falling down her face. "no" she whispered. She reached up and held his cheeks gripping them softly forcing him to look at her, truly look at her; to remember her.
Her eyes were searching his to see if he remember, but apparently he didn't, not yet. It was a long time ago. She would give him time. He would be the Matthew she remembered in no time. He would remember her and their time together.
"No?" Matthew chuckled to himself, "I guess, I technically saw you yesterday."
Emmeline looked at him and held him tighter. "Matthew, you have to remember?" Emmeline spoke her voice strained, she desperately wanted him to remember. He massaged her back trying to comfort her. She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him a simple kiss that she attempted to make him remember, make him remember her.
She moved away and looked into his eyes, please remember my love she thought to herself.
Remember.
***
Emmeline recalled her time growing up at the Octagon House. Following the disappearance of his wife various rumors were spread around town. Gideon did nothing to stop the rumors, he really didn't care. After a couple of years Gideon was able to legally declare his wife dead (failed searches and no evidence). Somewhere in his soul he knew he would never see her again.
On a cool fall day, Gideon and his two young children, Henry and Emmeline buried they're mother. They buried an empty coffin. It was weird thought Gideon, but the symbolic act was refreshing and gave him a spark of life. He was renewed.
Elizabet Harrisson
Born 1836
Mind, Body, and Soul
Was on her tombstone since he didn't know what happened he didn't want to put her death date. She may have left him, but he still loved her dearly.
Shortly after the empty coffin was buried and the paperwork filed Gideon was remarried to a young woman, Lena Neets. Shortly after his marriage to Lena the family moved to Lansing. Gideon claimed it was for work, but truthfully he couldn't bare to remain in the Octagon House, because it was built with his wife, it was hers. However, Gideon also couldn't bare to part with the house. They boarded the house up putting sheets over the furniture and shuttered the windows.
Gideon took one last look at the house. Now, now it felt like his wife was gone. He got in the carriage with his second wife and headed Northwest to Lansing. Gideon became heavily involved in politics and assisted the planning of the new capital building. All in thanks to Mr. Williams.