After a prayer, Oscar made his way to the front of the large room, and those gathered quieted once again as he began to speak into the microphone.
Oscar read the obituary that had been printed in the paper and online, the one stating Richard’s age and marital details, family left behind. There was no mention of the poor girl he’d been with when she died or of their relationship.
“…and that’s why we’re gathered here today,” Oscar said in closing. “Out of love for an imperfect man, but most importantly, love for his wife, daughters, and friends. It’s a reminder to never take life for granted and to live the type of life that honors those we love. Rayna Jo, Dara, and Devon, on behalf of everyone gathered here, you have our condolences for your loss and our support for the days ahead.”
Oh, that boy. Rayna Jo watched as Oscar folded the slip of paper he’d carried to the podium and tucked the paper into his suit pocket as he stepped down.
Leave it to Oscar to find something positive to focus on. On love and the girls. On moving forward.
The funeral director said a few words as well as gave instructions to those going on to the burial at the cemetery.
The director had the family leave first, and as they left the building, cameras sounded from all sides. The girls hurried Rayna Jo into the limo once more.
The ride to the cemetery took about thirty minutes, and during that time, no one spoke. All three of them simply sat there, lost in her own thoughts and emotions.
She didn’t doubt the girls were flabbergasted by what they’d discovered, and she promised herself when she was better that she’d make a motherly inquiry into their well-being. But for now, it was too much when she wasn’t sure of her own. Her mortification over Richard’s behavior left her feeling less of a woman, and all pretense regarding their marriage had been laid bare for the world to see.
They arrived at the plot and waited in their cushioned chairs, staring at the casket while the others parked and made their way to the burial site.
The wind flapped the edges of the tent providing shade, and a few verses were read while single roses were laid atop the casket by Devon and Dara.
Rayna Jo knew she ought to walk up and do the same, at least say goodbye, but she couldn’t find the strength to stand. Maybe she’d said her goodbyes a long time ago.
Or maybe she never would.
After one last prayer, people began to wander away. Rayna Jo sat there while others talked in whispers, staring at the casket and the fake green drape over the earth that would cover Richard for eternity.
Was it worth it, his affairs? Had he made his peace before he’d succumbed? Would he face the higher power he’d claimed he believed in without repenting? Face judgment?
Emotions warred within her. Anger and disgust, fear and heartbreak. Agony for the love she’d held for him despite the pain it had brought. You didn’t spend forty-two years of your life with someone and not love.
For the first time in her life, she realized she was alone, and her mind whirled with the awareness. She’d gone from her parents’ home to marriage and children. Children who now had their own lives to live.
Could she handle being alone? Did she want to be?
“Mama? Mama, it’s time to go home.”
Home. The house had always been home, but now it seemed beautifully broken. Empty.
The girls grasped each of her arms to prod her up and across the uneven ground, past headstones aged by time and weather.
She walked, though her feet felt as though they belonged to someone else.
“Mrs. Teeks.”
Rayna Jo blinked at the man walking toward her. He was young, probably mid-twenties, and dressed far too casually for a funeral. “Yes?”
“What do you want?” Dara asked.
The young man held out an envelope, and Rayna Jo automatically held out a hand to receive it.
“You’ve been served. I’m sorry for your loss, ma’am.”
“Are you freaking kidding me?” Dara asked, letting go of Rayna Jo to charge toward the man now backing away. He held his hands up as though in surrender.
“Just doing my job,” he said before he turned and hurried back in the direction of the cars parked along the cemetery road.
Dara muttered a few choice words before she stopped and turned to face them. Rayna Jo stared in horror at the envelope in her hand, the law firm’s name boldly sprawled across the top.