Red_Roses_and_Black_Dahlias_-_Macy_T

Faster than I could comprehend, the service was being moved from the
church to the cemetery right behind it. As people walked quietly towards the
two empty graves, I fell in step next to Sofia. I wanted to hold her hand, hug
her or even just put my arm on her shoulders, but I knew how people would
react to that sort of public demonstration of affection.
Before we knew it, the caskets were lowered into the ground and covered
in dirt. I heard Sofia gulp next to me, as Valentina buried her face in the skirt
of her dress. The eldest Raymond daughter played with her little sister’s hair,
caressing it and soothing her while maintaining a stoic stature. Her lips were
pinched together and I couldn’t see her eyes but I could have bet they were
red from crying.
Valentina had shed a few of her own as she watched her parents being
buried. It was as heartbreaking as it was reassuring, to see her have a
reaction, see her express feelings she had repressed up until then.
As the ceremony came to an end, people went and threw petals of flowers
on the freshly covered graves before making their way back to their cars to
attend the reception that was supposed to take place in a posh restaurant
downtown.
Adam had left my side to go wait in his car with Selena. They filtered
away until the only ones standing there were us.
Sofia’s bottom lip was caught between her teeth as she stared at the
tombstones.
Jack Raymond, beloved husband, father and mayor.
Marcela Raymond, beloved wife and mother.
It was simple, loving but straight to the point. Conan had probably
ordered them, since he took care of everything else.
Sensing she might need to be alone for a few minutes, because Sofia was
bashful when it came to her feelings, I squatted down in front of Valentina
and presented my hand to her, asking her quietly to come with me.