I ran my fingertips over the sweatshirt and noticed a slight, recognizable smell—that of his cologne—that vanished quickly.
When I turned to go, the finality hit me.
Dad had really passed away. I gripped the box tighter, as though holding on to it would keep him with me. Silent tears were streaming down my cheeks as I got to my car.
I sobbed until my tears dried up while sitting in the car. My phone repeatedly rang and beeped, but Matt was the only one there. I think he was worried about me, but there are some grievances you have to go through on your own.
When I got home, the last thing I thought I would see was my entire life scattered across the front lawn like a deranged estate auction.
The memories I’d painstakingly packed into boxes and dragged down from the attic were scattered as the wind started up.
All of Dad’s books, Mom’s old recipes, her crockery, and the faded plaid quilt he liked to cuddle beneath were all spread out in the open, unsecured, as though they held no significance. Heart thumping, I staggered out of my car.
“What in God’s name…” My voice was muffled by the wind as I muttered.
“Well, that’s good. At last, you’re back. I was growing weary of standing by.”
Jessica was there, sitting on my patio furniture sporting an overly bright lipstick and fashionable sunglasses. There was no way my daughter-in-law looked up from her phone. She sipped slowly from her coffee, a barely concealed grin curling her lips.
“Jessica… What’s the deal with everything?” My chest tightened with disbelief as I scanned the commotion with my eyes. “What are you doing?”
She lifted her head and lowered her shades slightly enough that I could see the contempt in her eyes. She dismissed it with a well-groomed hand wave.
