A Tortured Soul

Chapter 1
Chapter 1

They stood before the three open graves, the smell of the churned earth pungent in the air. Laura watched as the three caskets lowered at the same time. She looked to the first one, George, her brother-in-law lay within. She had enjoyed spending time with him. The second carried her sister-in-law Ashley. She was one of Laura’s best friends, and they had spent hours on the phone over the years. The move to the west coast had cost them both a lot in phone calls. Tears streaked her cheeks anew when she understood that there would be no more talks with Ashley. Fresh sobbing overtook her when she glanced to the third. It was much smaller. The six year old little boy she had known was resting inside.

She pulled her son close, hugging him tightly, as she cried. Memories of burying her daughter only months ago cut to the quick. The long illness had been difficult, but seeing her little girl laying in that small coffin came close to destroying her. The feel of a strong arm around her shoulders brought her out of her grief enough to smell the shampoo in her son’s hair as she kissed the top of his head, enjoying the softness of his curly blonde locks.

Laura felt guilty then. Eddy’s crying had become louder when she clung to him, and she knew he was feeling her hurt. “I love you,” she whispered to him.

She felt him hug her tighter just before sobbing, “I love you, Mom.”

Laura knew this had to be difficult for Eddy. He had been devastated when his little sister passed away. She believed that while he had enjoyed his aunt and uncle’s company, it was the memory of losing his sister that had him so upset now. She couldn’t imagine what it was like to go through that at ten.

When the service ended, the three made a silent trek back to the church. As she walked, Laura watched her husband. She really felt for him. When the call came, they had all flown to California, and Jim had been the one to identify the burned bodies. Having to see your sister in such a state had to have been hard.

Jim pushed the door open and ushered them through. Laura could hear Katie crying before she saw her. She hurried to her mother’s side, and understood when Katie wrapped her arms around her, sobbing her heart out. Laura understood why Katie hadn’t wanted to go to the grave sites. She had been supportive when Katie said she didn’t want to do that.

“Why did Mom have to die?” Katie cried.

For Katie’s sake, and her own, Laura wished she knew. “I don’t know,” she cried.

“It wasn’t supposed to be like this!” Katie screamed.

“I know Honey, I know,” she tried to comfort her niece. She was glad when rubbing her back gently and rocking her back and forth in a slow motion calmed Katie.

Laura saw Jim was hugging Eddy as they both cried. She looked to her mother and said, “Let’s go home.”

The rest of the afternoon was filled with people coming by to offer their condolences. Katie didn’t stray far from Laura throughout the process. At seven thirty, the house was empty of people and Laura asked Katie if she wanted to take a bath. When she heard a somber “Okay.” from her niece, she led her down the hall to her new bedroom.

“Get some clothes to sleep in Honey, and I’ll start the bath.”

Katie began looking through the dresser as Laura headed to the bathroom. A few minutes later, the bathtub was full of bubbles and lavender could be smelled out in the hall. When she returned to Katie’s room, the sixteen year old was sitting on the bed, staring at nothing. “Come on,” Laura prompted as she took Katie’s hand and led her to the bathroom. “I’ll be right down the hall if you need me,” she said, turning to leave.

“Thank you.”

With a smile, Laura told her, “You’re welcome,” and headed to the livingroom. When she saw Eddy sitting on the couch, she sat right next to him and pulled him close with an arm wrapped around his shoulders. His small smile made her feel a lot better. “I’m proud of you Honey,” she told him with a kiss to his cheek.

“Why?”

“Because even though today was difficult, you made it through, and that’s not an easy thing to do.”

She saw tears form in those bright blue eyes as he said, “It was hard.”

“I know...” she replied, her voice breaking. She just sat holding him close, trying to get her emotions under control.

A short while later, Katie came walking down the hall. She’s so pretty, Laura thought as she looked at her niece. Katie’s long brown hair, parted in the middle, hung down below her shoulders, fanning out over the top of her nightgown. Her long, beautiful legs showed below the hem, ending in sock covered, petite feet. Laura knew that the bath had done her a lot of good when she smiled, and it reached her pretty hazel eyes. “Feel better?”

“Yes, a lot better,” Katie answered with a smile.

“Good.”

“How about some ice cream?” Jim asked the group.

Laura smiled at her husband and replied, “That’s a great idea.”

The four of them headed to the kitchen then. As they walked, Laura smiled as Katie put her arm around Eddy’s shoulder and said, “Hi Sweety,” with a poke to his ribs.

“Hi,” he laughed.

Laura could remember Katie calling him that when he was six, before she moved to California.

They enjoyed ice cream and small talk for a while, and Laura finally said, “I think it’s time for bed; it’s been a long day.”

“Good idea,” Jim agreed.

Laura was glad when the kids didn’t complain, but got up and put their bowls in the sink. She gave Eddy a hug and kiss before telling him, “Good night, Honey. Don’t forget to brush your teeth.”

With a sigh, he replied, “I know Mom, good night.”

She smiled then, sure that he hated when she reminded him to do things. He was always complaining that she treated him like a little kid. What he didn’t know is that she would occasionally check behind him and see that his toothbrush was wet. More than once she found he had skipped brushing.

“Goodnight Dad.” he said with a hug and kiss for his father.

Jim ruffled his hair and replied, “Good night son.”

Laura hugged Katie, kissed her on the cheek and said, “Good night Honey, I love you.”

With a smile, Katie kissed her and replied, “I love you too. Good night.”

Laura thought it odd when she turned to Jim, said good night and quickly left the room. “Give it time,” she told him when she saw his left eyebrow raise in question. She hugged him when he sighed and nodded his head.