Mareka’s Farewell
This is chapter 1 of The Inheritance, a serial fiction novel on FITK
Wednesday Morning, July 8, 2020, near Decorah, Iowa
“Goodbye Tina,” said Mareka, as she threw a small bouquet of wildflowers onto her great-aunt’s casket as it was being lowered into the grave.
Seven-year-old Mareka and her parents, Sean Carroll and Mary Robinson, were standing with a widely-spaced group of mostly elderly people in a cemetery outside of Decorah, Iowa. Sean’s aunt Tina had died in her sleep at an assisted living facility in town a few days earlier. Edwin Duddle, Tina’s late-life paramour, stood at Sean’s side. The group of mourners stood in silence for several minutes after Mareka’s farewell. The only sound was the wind whispering through the prairie grasses surrounding the cemetery. Finally, when an elderly woman in a wheelchair started making noises to her attendant that she needed to go, the small crowd broke up and headed to the church, where a reception was being held in the basement.
Edwin stayed behind.
“Shouldn’t we go back for Edwin?” said Mareka to her parents when they reached the church. “He looks so sad.”
“He is sad,” said Mary, “Tina was his best friend, he knew her since they were young.”
“Why didn’t they ever get married?”
“Those things happen. Things happen to everybody,” said Sean, “After high school Edwin went into the army and when he returned they didn’t see much of each other. When two people want to get married it is very hard to stop them from doing it, but to make two people want to get married, well, that can be very hard. Sometimes life does get in the way.”
Mareka was quiet for a minute, then said, “Was it hard for you two to get married?”
“No, for us it was easy,” said Mary.
“What made it easy?” said Mareka.
“You made it easy.” said Mary, smiling.
“But I wasn’t even born yet!” protested Mareka.
“We wanted to make a family with you, and so we did,” said Mary.
“But Edwin and Tina were best friends.”
“That happened later, when Mary and I were getting married,” said Sean, “Mary met Edwin in his store and they liked each other, so she asked him to be a witness to our ceremony. Tina was there at the ceremony, too, of course, and then they became best friends.”
“I’m a little concerned about Edwin,” said Mary, “Mareka, why don’t you go up and ask him nicely if he would care to join us. He likes you. If he says no, just let him be, he’ll come eventually.”
“Okay… I’ll be right back.”
After Mareka left to get Edwin, Mary said to Sean “Let’s go in, Mareka can do this on her own without her feeling like we’re watching her.”
Sean nodded and they went into the church.
“Mr. Duddle… ” Mareka spoke softly as she walked up to Edwin.
The old man turned and looked down at the girl. A small smile found its way to his mouth and his eyes brightened.
“Mr. Duddle, will you come and join us?” said Mareka, offering her hand, “You can sit with me.”
Edwin took her hand gently in his. Mareka’s request stirred a memory in him. There was something in her features that reminded him of Tina, and Tina’s mother Emily as well.
“She was your best friend, wasn’t she?” said Mareka.
“Yes, Mareka she was. I won’t find another woman like her. Tina was a fine woman. She was my best friend.” said Edwin.
“I am your friend, Mr. Duddle.”
“I know that dear,” said Edwin with tears forming in his eyes, “and when I look at you I can see a bit of her in your face.”
And I see Tina’s mother in your face as well, he thought.
“Let’s go in, I would be happy to sit with you.”
“I’m not supposed to get close to you,” said Mareka, “But I think it is OK this time.”
They walked back to the church, hand in hand.
Next chapter: Warm Reception
