The afternoon sun illuminated the Glaston Town Cemetery, causing the white gravestones to gleam.
Luke was walking with Mr. Eisen along a path paved with gray gravel.
On either side of the path, the shadows of tall trees swayed, every leaf bathed in sunlight. The patches of light filtering through the branches dappled the graves, making the entire cemetery feel solemn and serene.
Wildflowers bloomed in the grass beneath the large trees, their petals delicate and vibrant, releasing a fresh fragrance.
The whole cemetery was peaceful and tranquil. In the sunlight, the cemetery made one feel the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing every moment. Every gravestone represented a treasured memory, and the warm stories of the departed were truly moving.
"This cemetery is beautiful. It doesn't feel eerie at all," Luke commented.
"Some interesting people are sleeping here, and I knew every single one of them," Mr. Eisen replied.
Seeing that Luke looked skeptical, Mr. Eisen pointed to a headstone not far away.
"That's Old Hunter's grave. He was a kind, friendly big guy. We all loved drinking and chatting with him. Don't believe me? Check out his epitaph."
Luke walked over. The gravestone read:
Hunter Langer (1923–1998)
By the time you can read this, you're already standing on my chest.
Don't worry, I won't come looking for you tonight.
I'm glad you came to visit. Let's be friends, even though I can't buy you a drink.
"He certainly sounds like an interesting guy. If he were alive, I'd definitely have a couple of drinks with him," Luke said with a laugh.
"That's Mrs. Margaret's grave. She was unlucky, but she was a gentle, kind lady. I loved her apple pie," Mr. Eisen said, pointing to another headstone nearby.
Luke approached the grave. The inscription read:
Margaret Ibsen (1951–1997)
When I was healthy, I always complained about my parents interfering too much in my life.
After I became paralyzed, I often missed the days when I could walk.
After I became bedridden and developed bedsores, I missed the time I spent in my wheelchair.
In my final foggy days, I felt like the time when I had bedsores wasn't so bad after all.
Cherish every day of your life. It is the only meaning we have while we're alive.
"I can tell she was a remarkably optimistic lady. It's a shame she didn't get more time," Luke said, nodding.
He was starting to get curious, so he walked over to a few other headstones to read them himself:
"Thank you for visiting. Please forgive me for not being able to get up to thank you."
"Feel free to tell me your worries or any secrets you can't tell anyone else. I'm guaranteed to keep a secret!"
"I have not gone. I have only stepped out of time. We will meet again in eternity. For now, please enjoy your life."
After reading several epitaphs, Luke smiled and said, "I totally get why you like this place now."
Mr. Eisen spread his arms. "Everyone here is a good person. I'll be their neighbor someday, too."
"But not today. You still have many challenges to complete in your life before you can come back here," Luke countered.
"Yes, at some point in the future. Come on, Luna is waiting for us," Mr. Eisen said, leading the way forward.
They walked another thirty or so feet and arrived at a small flower garden. Bright red roses, vibrant gardenias, elegant orchids, and proud chrysanthemums danced in the breeze, filling the air with a fresh floral scent.
In the center of the garden was a gravestone made entirely of white marble, which had an unearthly sense of peace and tranquility.
The photo on the gravestone was of a woman in her forties. Her skin was as white as snow, and her light makeup suggested an intellectual air. Brown, curly hair draped over her shoulders, making her look softer. Her beige wool coat was neither extravagant nor plain, striking the perfect balance of elegance and dignity. Looking at her, you could almost hear a sweet, slow, ancient, and eternal rhythm, like distant church bells.
Luna Miller (1950–1996).
Seeing the date, Luke realized that Mr. Eisen's wife had passed away six years ago.
Mr. Eisen walked up, placed the bouquet of flowers he was holding down, and said, "Back then, you were 46 and I was 58. Now I'm 64, and you're still 46."
"You can't complain about me being too old when we meet again."
"I thought I'd be down here to join you soon, but I found a new purpose in life, so I have to ask you to wait a few more years."
"Oh, and this is Luke, the young man I told you about. Isn't he a great guy?"
Hearing the introduction, Luke stepped forward and placed his flowers by the tombstone as well.
"Hello, Mrs. Luna. I'm Luke. It's nice to meet you."
"Don't let his good looks fool you; this kid acts like he has a death wish on set. I believe he'll soon surpass Jackie Chan and become the new action superstar legend," Mr. Eisen continued.
Luke just smiled, unsure what to say.
"Come on, let's sit and chat. We can be casual in front of Luna," Mr. Eisen said, patting the grass next to the tombstone, signaling for Luke to sit down.
"Luna and I had a twelve-year age difference, but we weren't a typical May-December relationship," Mr. Eisen said.
Luke nodded. He understood what Mr. Eisen meant—their story wasn't about a rich older man pursuing a younger, gold-digging girl.
"I met Luna when she was 16. She was a wealthy young lady. I was 28, a poor guy who had just opened his first pastry shop. You might not believe it, but she was the one who pursued me. At the time, I thought I was too old and too poor for her. It was only after she insisted that I finally gathered the courage to give it a try," Mr. Eisen said, looking up at the sky, his eyes full of recollection.
"I can totally believe it. Even now, you could stir the hearts of countless middle-aged women. It's perfectly normal that you charmed a young girl in your twenties," Luke said.
Luke knew firsthand how much people who are good-looking are favored by the opposite sex, so he completely understood why Mr. Eisen was pursued.
"Luna and I spent thirty happy years together. We were DINKS [Dual Income, No Kids], so we didn't have children. Our private lives were just for each other," Mr. Eisen continued.
"That's a valid choice. As long as the two of you were happy with it," Luke replied.
"But we made the wrong choice."
"What?"
"We paid a terrible price for it. Luna sacrificed herself to save me!"
Luke suddenly realized that Mr. Eisen hadn't just brought him here for a simple visit to the grave.
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