Page 283 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

He shrugged. “Okay. My parents are here. Katherine and Ben’s sisters are packing up Ben’s things. They wanted to see you if you woke up in time.”

Anna chewed her lip. The last thing she wanted to do was walk back into that place she’d made so many happy memories in, but she didn’t want to be rude either. She nodded and reluctantly made her way to Ben’s apartment.

She knocked on the door and Katherine opened it a moment later. Her eyes were red and puffy, but she smiled and hugged Anna hard, pulling her into the apartment. “Hey, sweetheart. How ya doing?”

Anna gave a small shrug. “Depends on the moment.”

Katherine nodded. “I understand. I found something I wanted to give you.” She motioned for Anna to follow her to Ben’s bedroom.

Anna froze at the entrance. She didn’t want to go in. Didn’t want to see his things being packed up into boxes.

Katherine pulled her inside. Marcia and Ruth were packing his clothes. All his suits. He’d looked so handsome in them. Tears welled up in Anna’s eyes and she swiped them away.

Katherine held out the small, gray, velvet-covered box Devin had tossed next to Ben’s dead body. “Here.”

Anna stared at it as if it was a snake.

“He was going to ask you to marry him,” Katherine said in a cracked voice. “At the party. That’s why we were here.” She opened Anna’s hand and put the box in her hand.

Anna slowly opened the box to see the diamond ring she’d held while crying over his body. It was a beautiful round diamond solitaire that sparkled in the afternoon sunlight that streamed in through the window.

“The police detective called this morning.” Katherine swallowed. “She said that—‍” She shook her head and a tear slipped down her cheek. “His car had apparently gotten caught in something under the bridge. He’d been there since Friday night.”

Anna closed her eyes at the horrible image. It wasn’t true, but the picture was gruesome, nonetheless. Guilt wrapped around her heart like a steel band and she hung her head. “I’m so sorry, Katherine.”

“It’s not your fault. Accidents happen. You can’t blame yourself.”

Yes, I can! It’s my fault your son is dead! If I hadn’t loved him?—

Anna fell to the floor with a cry and couldn’t stop sobbing. It’s all my fault.

Katherine kneeled and wrapped her arms around Anna, holding her as she cried. The older woman’s shoulders shook as if she were crying too. Anna’s heart burned with guilt, knowing she was the one to blame for this wonderful family’s grief. “I can’t keep this, Katherine. It’s—He didn’t give it to me.” She held out the box.

“He would have.” Katherine gently pushed her hand away. “If—He would have, Anna. He would have wanted you to have it. I know he would.” She smiled. “You can wear it if you’d like. You were more than just a girlfriend to him. He died having found the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. I would have been proud to have you as a daughter-in-law.”

Anna looked at her and shook her head. Not once she knew the truth about her.

Katherine took her hands. “Anna, Ben told me... a little bit about your argument.” Anna’s mouth dropped open and she tried to pull away, but Katherine shook her head. “He’d forgiven you, Anna. He knew your heart. He knew it wasn’t what you wanted. He loved you. He even knew he might have to wait a while for you two to be able to marry, but he was willing to wait.”

Anna stared at her. “You know what I am?”

Katherine pressed her lips together as tears filled her eyes. She stroked Anna’s hair and nodded, her voice cracking as she spoke. “I know you are a beautiful young woman who was abused and made to do things you didn’t want to do. I know you still have to do some of those things.”

She paused and pressed her lips together again as a tear slipped down her cheek. When she spoke again, her voice was hoarse and low. “And I know you loved my son and that my son loved you.” She opened her arms and Anna crawled toward her and the two women hugged. “I will always refer to you as his fiancé, Anna. Even though he didn’t get to ask you.”

Anna closed her eyes and let herself be loved by a woman she could have easily accepted as a mother.

After a few minutes, Katherine pulled back and looked directly into Anna’s eyes. “Honey, I don’t expect you to never fall in love again. I don’t want you mourning him for the rest of your life. You are young and beautiful and will make another mother-in-law very happy someday.” She brushed Anna’s hair back from her face. “I don’t want you to feel guilty if you fall in love with another man. Ben would want you to be happy. Our family would never begrudge you love and happiness.” Anna tried to look away, but Katherine cupped her chin gently. “Do you understand me?”

Anna looked into the other woman’s eyes; so much like Ben’s. Anna nodded, but reminded herself that Devin would resent and kill anyone else she dared love. No more distractions. Ever. “What time is the funeral?” Anna asked, trying to change the subject.

“Ten o’clock on Friday morning. We’d like you to sit with us, if you’re willing. As part of the family.”

Anna nodded and gave her a weak smile. “I’d like that.”

“Good.” Katherine’s voice cracked. “Now, you should probably go rest for your performance tonight.”

Anna hesitated. “Is it...” She swallowed. “Is it wrong for me to dance?”

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