A hush descended over the room.
Alana walked to the front of the small church and gently laid her book on the podium. Her family sat facing her, and she watched Uncle Ted comforting her Aunt Rose while she sobbed. Alana’s young cousins were sitting in the back pews looking down and she was certain she could hear the soft “pew pew pew” of their video games carried through the thick August air. The church was full, which should have been a testament to the kind of person her Grandma was. Yet it wasn’t.
Her Grandma lay in front of her, her skin soft and pale. Alana hated how they had used blush on her cheeks despite her wishes. Her Grandma never wore blush when she was alive, why the hell would she wear it dead?
Alana cleared her throat and spoke.
“I was asked today to do a reading for Grandma. To celebrate her life and to honor her death with flowery words that will make you all feel better about how full and long her life was.
Grandma did have a long and wonderful life, there is no disputing that. She married her soul mate and had 5 beautiful babies. She dedicated her life to her family and to her church, and she did that every day without complaining.”
Alana paused and closed her eyes. Her anger bubbled slowly to the surface and she wiped a strand of hair from her sweaty brow.
“But I am not going to stand here and tell you that the end of her life was as magical as the beginning. I am not going to stand up here and preach all about love and happiness to you because it would all be a fucking lie.”
She gasped at her own cuss in a church but a quick glance at the Pastor, who was a long time friend of her Grandma, let her know that she had been forgiven.
“I understand that you think this is not the time or the place for me to talk like this, but I am so disgusted by each and every one of you. Not once did you come visit. Not once did you call and talk with her. You can make all of the excuses you want, but that is all they will ever be. Excuses.”
Alana fought back the tears as she continued.
“How can you sit here and cry for a woman’s death when you had nothing to do with her life?”
The tears streamed down her cheeks as she picked up her unopened book and walked back to her seat, already planning how she would pack up the rest of her Grandma’s life, alone, after the service.
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This piece of fiction was written for my crazysexycool lovers over at The Speakeasy. The grid is looking light this week and we sure would love your participation!
Come say hi, read some posts, and write your own! All you have to do is use the first line “A hush descended over the room” and include a reference to the photo prompt. Easy peasy right? My post went to a beloved Grandmother’s funeral. Where will YOU take us?
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well shit on a stick, have you been visiting with my dying grandmother?? this hit me in the gut oh so hard. i wish i could share it with most of my “family”.
I just *knew* that it would resonate with people. I am sorry to hear about your Grandmother and your family’s relationship with her. It must be incredibly hard to deal with, and I wish I was there to help you, lady.
well done Dawn-Marie
Thank you Paula! I enjoy this one too.
People handle death and loss in such different ways. Great piece illustrating a few of these. Sad.
I shouldn’t say “handle” so much as “react.” Handling insinuates a level of responsibility.
This reminds me so much of my own grandmother’s funeral last year. I wanted to say what was said here, but I did not. My grandma wouldn’t have wanted me to. Great story.
Oh Georgina, I am so sorry for your loss. It seems like there are quite a few of us who have felt this way, and I wish I could say that it surprised me.
It’s a sad trend.
Powerful, and all I wished I could have said at my grandmother’s memorial.
Thank you Natalie.
*hugs*
Oh so sad. But a great message to be there for people when they are ALIVE. So true. I loved what you did with the prompts!
Thank you Stacie!
Yes, we need to spend time with our elders while they are still here. There is no excuse. We pack all three kids and the dog up every single Sunday and visit Pat’s grandfather who is 103. We see him throughout the week too as he loves to see the kids and I like to bring food.
It’s so important.
I think there’s at least one person at every old person’s funeral who thinks the exact same thing. I know I’ve been there.
I completely agree with you, although I wish it wasn’t so.
Nice to see the sentiments get an airing. So very true. Well done.
Thank you so much Sandra. You are very kind.
It was really nice to see Alana speak her mind rather than hold it in. I liked that very much. I also like how she expects to be the only one to pack up her grandmother’s stuff, in spite of what she said.
Very well done. I know exactly how Alana feels and know that anger all too well.
I love that chick and am so glad she spoke her mind! Go girl!
Love the raw emotion in this Dawn-Marie. Beautifully done!
I love the emotions in this…