Father Alejandro Suarez wasn’t sure he wanted to make this visit. Even though he was visiting a friend, this was going to be a somber, one sided reunion. He took a breath and opened the door to the Welcome Center and walked in, stopping just inside to look around. It’s been a while since he had been here. Father Suarez wondered how many ghosts walked around here with unfinished business. He’d been to Arlington National Cemetery many years before to visit other friends he’d lost a lifetime ago. It brought back memories of good and bad times.
“Can I help you, Father?” asked the man at the information desk.
Father Suarez walked up to the desk.
“Us yes. I’m here to visit a grave. I had a map with the location, but I think I lost it,” said the priest.
“Oh, that’s not a problem. If you have the name, I can pull that up for you and mark it on a new map,” said the man.
As Alejandro was about to say the name of his friend, a tapping sound began. Both men looked to see a crow, standing on the ground just outside the door the priest had walked through. It was tapping at the glass and seemingly paused between taps to look inside the building.
“Weird. Almost looks like it wants to come in or something,” said the man.
Alejandro sighed, remembering something.
“You know, legends say, that when we die, the blackbird caries our souls into the afterlife. But not all souls stay at rest. Sometimes, something so tragic and painful happens, a crow carries the restless soul back. Sometimes a soul gets to make right what went wrong,” said the priest.
“Father?” asked the man at the desk, confused.
“Sorry... It’s something a friend told me once. Anyway, I just remembered where the grave is,” said Father Suarez.
“Do you still need a map?” asked the man.
“Oh, no. I’ll be fine,” said Alejandro.
“Okay. Well, if you need any assistance you can come back here. There’s also other staff on the grounds that can help,” said the man.
“Thanks,” said the priest as he walked out of the building.
When he stepped outside he heard cawing. The crow was sitting on a branch, string at him. It cawed and then flew off over the gardens of stone.
“Lead the way,” said Father Suarez.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OYuhjwrA8
