— Hi, Mom!
— Emily exclaimed joyfully upon seeing her mother.
— Emily, hello, my darling! I want to introduce you to my friend Lizzie!
— her mom said quietly, gesturing to the woman beside her. Emily smiled and greeted Elizabeth Marie, her mom’s best friend. She examined the woman in the snow-white dress closely; her enchanting charm had evolved into serene wisdom, evident in the wrinkles on her forehead, around her mouth, and at the corners of her eyes.
Despite her age, traces of that youthful Lizzie were still visible. Elizabeth Marie smiled warmly and said that Emily’s mom often spoke of her. Then the woman expressed her thanks for tending to her grave and curiously asked if she liked the gift mentioned earlier.
Emily gratefully replied that the gift was wonderful.
— Now we must say goodbye,
— Emily’s mom said gently, looking at her with love.
— Please, be happy, my daughter!
Emily, her heart aching from the farewell, warmly thanked her mom and Elizabeth Marie. She called after them as they began to fade away.
She was awakened by Michael, concerned about his wife’s cries in her sleep. He carefully asked,
— Honey, did you dream something?
Still moved, Emily hugged her husband tightly and recounted the dream where she’d seen her mom and his grandmother. Michael was amazed and asked in confusion,
— But how is that possible?
The woman just shook her head,
— I don’t know, but Mom said they’ve become best friends.
At that moment, Michael remembered the photo they’d received the day before and hurried to show it to his wife. The snapshot from the cemetery depicted two well-kept graves surrounded by vibrant green grass and blooming white and pink flowers. The headstones stood side by side, with one showing Emily’s mom smiling softly, and the other featuring a serious young Elizabeth Marie.
They appeared to be gazing toward each other, their eyes brimming with deep tenderness and warmth. That’s how close friends look at one another.