Page 2 of The Weight of Her Silence
But the sound was gone. Only silence remained.
The coffin slid quietly into the earth, swallowed slowly by the cold ground beneath their feet. Nate’s eyes fixed on the shrinking gap like it might somehow close again—like she might climb back out. But the finality of it hit him with a dull ache, lodged deep and unmoving.
Ava stepped forward, voice tight and brittle.
“Dad, can we go now?”
Her words felt sharp, not cruel but brittle, as if she was holding herself together with all the pieces of her shattered heart. Nate nodded, swallowing a lump that refused to rise.
“Yeah. Let’s go.”
His voice came out cracked, unfamiliar even to himself.
They turned away from the grave, the air thick with wet earth and mourning. Caleb trailed behind, clutching his teddy bear with white knuckles, eyes downcast.
The drive back to the house was silent. The rain pounded on the windshield, a relentless rhythm that filled the heavy quiet. Nate kept his hands steady on the wheel but felt like he was steering through fog—lost and directionless.
???
At home, the emptiness was suffocating. Lila’s favorite music still played softly in the living room, a haunting melody that clung to the air like a ghost.
Ava dropped her coat by the door without a word. Caleb sat on the edge of the couch, hugging the teddy bear as if it could shield him from everything. Nate stood awkwardly by the kitchen island, watching them.
“I—” He stopped, unsure how to begin.
Ava glanced up, eyes sharp.
“Do you want to tell us what is going to happen?”
The question hit like a blade. Nate blinked, fighting the swell of guilt.
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“You know,” she said, voice colder now.
“Mom was so sick and you were busy and hardly around.”
Caleb’s small voice broke the silence.
“Why did she leave us?”
Nate’s throat tightened.
“I'm so sorry bud. I wish she is still here.”
Ava’s eyes narrowed.
“Are you sure about it? You don't need to hide anymore.”
The words stung, and Nate felt the weight of every harsh glance, every accusation wrapped in silence.
“I—I was going to tell you. I swear. I just didn’t know how.”
Ava shook her head and turned away, wrapping her arms around herself. Caleb looked down, biting his lip.
The tension thickened, filling every corner of the room.
Nate’s phone buzzed on the counter. He glanced down and Camille’s name flashing on the screen. For a moment, Nate hesitated, then silenced it. This wasn’t the time. Instead, he closed his eyes, inhaling the cold, empty air.
