The Funeral

                                             Glance      
Nancy knew Mom was dying months ago, having prepared her young daughter, but her death was still a shock.  She heard the stories; Mom hadn’t actually died of cancer but a broken heart having finally showed Nancy the picture of the man who lifted her pregnant.
Inside the gated cemetery, the whole town had come out for Mom’s funeral. Nancy thought the preacher spoke eloquently; receiving everyone’s condolences through her pain and tears, hopeful he’ll come. Nancy looked for his face among this crowd of mourners.  She thought, for just a moment, the town’s drunk held her father’s fac

                                       
                                     Drown

Among the mourners stood the town drunk Patrick, clutching his life in a single threadbare bag, whispers surrounded him. Still, Patrick was compelled to attend her funeral. Once upstanding and successful, destined to wed, Patrick’s constant jealousy cost him everything.  

Weeping softly he remembered the day when he wasn’t man enough to listen; her love wasn’t enough to soothe his doubts and fears of infidelity, choosing instead to drown his suspicions in booze.

Tearfully, he watched her casket lowered, whispering, “I’m sorry.” Patrick turned leaving his beloved with the gated-dead; to disappear into a life drowning in Bitters and tears.


                                            Linger
 She knew she would die, having had cancer, it’s always possible, but Sharon’s sudden death was a surprise and probably the reason she stood there witnessing her own funeral. Sharon wished she could hold her daughter Nancy, now all alone in this world.

It was one of those affairs where everyone spoke a kind word, even those that hadn’t liked the deceased. Having heard Patrick’s words of remorse, she watched him retreat.

“What should I….” She thought; following him shouting. “Nancy is your daughter!”  
Patrick stopped, blinked; turned to look into his daughter’s face.
Satisfied, Sharon was able to vanish.