The Messenger (2011 reformat) by Edward Lee Read Free Book Online Page B

place.
    They were in
Winter-Damon Cemetery, just outside of Danelleton.
    She'd been to
a graveside service in a cemetery once before, to see her father buried.
    Finches
chirped obliviously in the tall shade trees surrounding that section of the
graveyard. A high sun shone through the trees, in a sky blotted snow-white with
trace clouds. A refreshing breeze slipped through, taking some of the heat out
of the air.
    A stoic
minister stood before the three coffins, his voice resonating:
    "Remember
thy servants, O Lord, Marlene and Michael and Jeff, according to the favor
which thou bearest unto thy people-"
    Jennifer took
Kevin's hand, gripping it reassuringly.
    "-and
whosoever liveth, and believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting
life-"
    The minister
closed his tasseled prayer book, then extended his hands without missing a
beat.
    "-through
Jesus Christ, to whom be glory, forever and ever. Amen."
    In unison, the
standing crowd around the triple grave responded, "Amen."
    Jane put her
arm around the two well-dressed children, hugging them close. Jane was their
mother.
    Yes, she knew
Jennifer was old enough to comprehend the funeral, and she hoped that Kevin was
too. Kevin had been too young to attend her husband's funeral, but now, after
much delicate explaining, the boy had a concept of death. Jennifer had been a
trouper about this, perhaps grasping more. She recalled her father's burial and
she specifically asked to attend this one. The first fact of life was death-all
children had to learn about it. But what bothered Jane were the circumstances
here. Her children had known Marlene's son. Now the son was dead, and it had
been his mother who'd killed him.
    How could
children ever fully understand that?
    "It's all
over, kids," Jane said softly. "We can go home now."
    Jane led the
children down the winding path toward the cars, nodding briefly to other
mourners she knew. Jennifer and Kevin kept silent, still confused by the day
and the redundant comments by others as they left, like: "Life goes
on," and "They're all in a better place now."
    Blue-haired
old Mrs. Baxter, one of the town's fussbudgets, limped contentedly by on her
cane, observing, "It's all God's will, we can't question that. The Lord
works in mysterious ways." Jane smiled curtly, hurt by her son's perplexed
expression. How could she ever explain anything-especially anything about God
or spirituality-on a day like this?
    I just want to
get out of here, she thought. From far off, a bell tolled, and its lonely peal
snagged her. It made her think of that bizarre sketch Steve Higgins had shown
her.
    A sketch of a
bell.
    What had that
been all about? Something the police had found at Marlene's house. Even more
bizarre was Steve's tone of voice when he talked about it. So ambiguous. It
seemed as though the police chief didn't want to reveal everything he knew
about the sketch.
    The service
was disbanding. Not too long from now, Jane knew, the three coffins would be
lowered into the ground and buried, Marlene and her family gone forever. More
facts of life in death.
    "Look,
Mom," Jennifer finally cut into the silence.
    "What,
honey?"
    "There's
Carlton."
    Jane saw her
new manager standing between several parked cars on the path. He stood alone,
in a somber dark suit, and was staring off.
    "Carlton's
cool," Kevin said. "He knows all the cheat codes for Tech Warrior!"
    It was the
name of some video game; Carlton would sometimes come over and entertain the
kids with his gaming skills.
    "Hi,
Carlton!" Kevin called, waving.
    But Carlton
didn't notice their approach. He remained there staring off into the distance.
    "Hey,
Mom, is Carlton okay?" her son asked.
    "He looks
a little out of it," Jennifer added precociously. "I guess he's
depressed about Marlene too."
    Jane squinted
as they got closer. Yeah, he looks out of it, all right. More than that. Was he
drunk? Carlton stood awkwardly, as if tilted, hands limp at his sides. He
seemed to be squinting up at the sky. At