Page 11 of Witch
CHAPTER EIGHT
When the service was done, they waited beside the caskets until they were loaded into the hearses to be taken back to Belle Fleur. The way Irene explained it, their physical bodies would be buried, but their ghostly selves would be alive and well.
“Alive?” frowned Gaspar.
“Just go with it, son,” chuckled Matthew.
Although they knew that the five individuals would still be with them, seeing their bodies lowered into the earth was still emotional for all of them.
“I keep trying to find a reason why this is so upsetting,” said Camille. “I mean, we get to speak with them, touch them, enjoy time with them, all the things we did before. So why is this so hard?”
“Because it’s still final,” said Erin. “They are gone from the physical world, and that feels horrible.”
When the graves were filled, the stones put in place, Gaspar began to laugh. The others stared at him, wondering if he’d lost it. Then he pointed to the headstones.
Here lies Irene
Mother to hundreds
A woman of laughter and cheer
Always in the middle of things
With a heart for animals and children
Here lies Matthew
Always giving a father’s wisdom
A spiritual kiss of light and love
Full of kindness and guidance
A man with an angelic heart
“Oh, Mama, seriously,” said Marie, shaking her head with a smile.
“I think they’re quite nice,” said Matthew, standing above his own grave. “I let your mother choose these, and I think she did a fine job.”
“She did, Pops. They’re perfect,” laughed Miller. “Thank you for making us a little lighter.”
“I don’t understand you children,” said Irene. “Can you see us?”
“Yes,” came the cry.
“Can you hear us?”
“Yes.”
“Can you touch us?”
“Yes.”
“Then what on earth do you have to be sad about? Do you understand how fortunate you all are? You will get all of us until it is your time to leave, and then you’ll have all of us, and then some.”
“What do you mean?” asked Suzette.
“My child,” smiled Matthew. “Your mother and I, Ruby and Sven, and Teddy can now see all of our ancestors before us. Those who are not here already.”
