The cemetery grass felt cold through my stockings.
I knelt there beside the freshly turned earth, my knees sinking into the damp soil, and nobody came to help me stand. The funeral director had packed up 30 minutes ago. The caterers had left 20 minutes before that. Even the pastor was gone now, his black sedan disappearing around the bend of the cemetery road.
I was alone.
53 years of marriage, and I stood alone at my husband’s grave.
My name is Miriam Caldwell. I’m 71 years old and 3 days ago I became a widow when my husband Frederick collapsed in our kitchen while I was upstairs folding his shirts. The EMTs said he died instantly. Massive heart attack. Nothing anyone could have done.
But that’s not the worst part of the story.
The worst part is learning who shows up when you need them most and who doesn’t. Hi viewers, kindly tell us where you’re watching from and what time it is.
The wind picked up, scattering dead leaves across Frederick’s grave. I pulled my black coat tighter and tried to stand, my arthritic knees screaming in protest.
That’s when I heard the car doors slam.
Two of them, one right after the other, like gunshots in the quiet afternoon.
I turned.
My son Trevor stood beside his silver Mercedes, straightening his tie. His wife, Sienna, climbed out from the passenger side, her black Prada probably costing more than most people’s monthly mortgage. They’d been here for the service, late, of course, sitting in the second row instead of beside me. But I thought they’d left with everyone else.
I was wrong.
They walked toward me with purpose, not the slow, respectful pace of mourners, the quick, determined stride of people on a mission.
“Mom.”
Trevor’s voice had that edge to it, the one he used when he wanted something.
“We need to talk.”
I pressed my palm against Frederick’s temporary marker. The metal felt cold. Final.
“Your father just—”
My voice cracked.
“Can’t this wait?”
“No.”
Sienna stopped 3 ft away, far enough that she wouldn’t have to touch me, close enough that I could see her perfectly applied makeup hadn’t smudged once during the service.
“It really can’t.”
Trevor pulled out his phone right there. Standing over his father’s fresh grave, he pulled out his phone and started scrolling.
“Dad’s lawyer keeps dodging calls. Sienna’s father has been trying to reach him all week. We need access to the accounts by Friday.”
Friday. 4 days away. The dirt on Frederick’s grave hadn’t even settled yet.
The story doesn’t end here –
it continues on the next page.
TAP → NEXT PAGE → 👇
