She was burying her lover. Her darling Joseph. Just thinking of him makes her want to break down and sob but she retains her composure. A tear forms and slides down her face. She quickly reaches up and wipes it away before returning to her stand. With each shovel of dirt her heart is twisted and cries out, though no sound comes from her lips. The last one is thrown and the mourners depart.
The priest stands before her. "I am sorry for your loss Miss Dell. I am sure he was a great and honorable man."
A slight nod of her head and he is gone. She stares at the mound of dirt before her and sighs deeply, feeling a hand touch her shoulder. It is her dear friend Evan.
"Come Katherine. He is not the first and he will not be the last."
She turns to him, rage in her eyes. "But he will be avenged!" He steps back as if slapped. She turns away from him and speaks more softly. "Leave me Evan. I will come in a moment." His feet crunch over the dead leaves and slowly fade as he walks away. She is left alone.
Children laugh and yell in the distance. A bird chirps happily and another replies. Such a beautiful day for such a sad event. Ironic.
"Ah, Joseph. Why, why are you gone?" She asked the mound. Silence was the reply. "Joseph I'm sorry, I'm so sorry for not being there. I should have gotten there faster, quicker...." her voiced cracked and she took a deep ragged, breath. "You shall be avenged my love. Your death will serve as my motivation for hunting down that bastard and putting an end to his existence. Until then...," She extended her hand and placed a single white rose atop the mound, "...good bye."
