Farewell

"My deepest condolences."

The heavy rain that pours down on the graveyard and the visitors of the funeral ceremony doesn't seem to let up anytime soon. Therefore, everyone has equipped themselves with an umbrella to seek cover from the relentless shower. The grave, surrounded by various flowers, bears a photograph of an old, smiling man on it. The tombstone's engraving goes like this:

"In loving memory - Edgar"

Next to the grave stands a similarly aged woman, shoulder-long, slightly curly hair which once was blonde but turned gray long ago. Nevertheless, it didn't lose its former shine, as much as her amber eyes didn't lose their charm. Although ‐ the many wrinkles and her countenance filled with sadness might undermine it right now. Dressed in a black skirt suit and a matching fascinator with veil, she warmly accepts the condolence card offered to her by one of the black-clothed people in line opposite to her.

Evelyn: Thank you for your sympathy.
"It must be hard for you. Losing your husband this early..."
Evelyn: It is. But no matter what life has in store for us, we all have to move on somehow, right?
"Right. Please take good care from now on, my thoughts are with you."
Evelyn: Thank you so much for coming, I just know Edgar was happy to have you here.

The guest leaves, and while Evelyn tries to keep up her slightly forced smile, the next in line follows up to her.

Evelyn(thought): This takes sooooo long... I appreciate their wishes and support, but it really drains both my body and heart. Receiving their sympathy is so very exhausting...I wish it was already over.

Continuing to unwillingly greet all attendants the queue gets smaller and smaller - very slowly, yet steadily - and Evelyn worked all her way through them at last, leaving her the only one with her husband's grave.

Evelyn: Finally. Now we are finally alone.

The elderly woman turns around to face Edgar's grave, which is decorated with even more flowers now. She deeply breathes in and out, as if she were inhaling the moment itself.

Evelyn: Edgar. I... know it was hard at times, but... I think we did quite well. How do I put this...? I was glad with our marriage. You listened when I needed you to, and sometimes,  you also would say just the right thing to cheer me up.

Then, all of a sudden, tears form right under her sorrowful amber eyes.

Evelyn: But...! Everything ended just too sudden! Why?

She goes down like the rain, falling to her knees and resting her face in her palms. Evelyn cries and cries, strangely resonating with the downpour around her. For a long while she stays just like this, and as the rain suddenly weakens, Evelyn's tears stop.

Evelyn: Well, I feel... a little bit better.

Behind her a couple with child approach Evelyn, who now carefully dries her tears with a handkerchief and stands up again.

Sarah: There you are, Mom. We thought we were supposed to wait for you at the parking lot, but you wouldn't come.

Her daughter is a fairly tall woman with blonde hair and green eyes, standing in great contrast to her giant of a husband with brown hair and grey eyes. The boy, about twelve years old and a spitting image of his father, runs up to Evelyn to tug her skirt.

Timmy: Yeah, Granny! What were you doing all this time?
Evelyn: I am sorry, little munchkin. We can leave, I am ready now.

Evelyn turns around to her grandson to give him a little hug.

Sarah: Okay. And... thank you again for taking care of meeting the guests. I was in no state to do that.
Evelyn: It is alright, I know exactly how you feel.
Sarah: I still can't believe it... I miss Dad so much already. That sudden heart attack came as a shock.
Evelyn: I know, my dear. I know. Let us take our leave for now.

A last glance at Edgar's grave follows, then everyone leaves for the car. Sarah and her husband go to sit in the front car seats while the little guy and his grandma go sit on the back. Evelyn twitches a bit while entering, then sits down.

Evelyn(thought): Ow, my back. These old bones surely have seen better days, the pain comes to haunt me time and time again.

With everyone in the vehicle, Sarah's husband finally starts the engine and drives off. A bit down the road, they come to a street with several little houses in a row, stopping in front of the yellow-painted one. Evelyn exits, seeing the others off at the window and leaves to enter her house. As she opens the door, a bit of melancholy shows in her face.

Evelyn(thought): Still the same house... Although everything changed. The smell is still like home, too... but you are no longer here. It has gotten very lonely in here since your parting five days ago, Edgar.


The elderly woman passes the entrance and closes the adorned door behind her. On a small table by the entrance, she takes a black handbag, but leaves her flashy fascinator behind where she took the bag. Then she turns around again to leave once more.

Evelyn: I am off again, Edgar. Back to where we met, so I can not allow myself to be late, right? And I have to admit... I am looking forward to it.

And so, after only one minute, Evelyn exits her house. The rain completely stopped by now, making space for a bit of sunlight between the clouds.