Fate

chapter 13

Bessie cried for long because my arm started to ache. Vera returned.

"They are about to bury the body, so if-"

She was cut short by the clash of thunder. Bessie had a faraway look in the eyes and she barely moved her lips when talking so I had to strain my ears in order to hear what she was saying.

"Where is my mama?"

"A..at the graveyard."

"Take me to her."

Vera looked at me and I gave her a helpless look.

"OK."

Bessie tried getting up after Vera answered but her legs got wobbly so I helped her up,and she,together with me and Vera all walked slowly to the black's graveyard.
When we reached, we saw a pastor giving sermon to the people surrounding a hole. All this while,Bessie was leaning on Vera with rain and tears streaming down her face. A prayer was said and they began to lower the body into the whole.
That was when Bessie turned away her head and cried loudly on Vera's shoulder.
Others joined in crying,then one by one,people started to leave.
Each giving their condolences and hurrying out of the graveyard, occasionally glancing back to look at me, but I paid no attention to them.

"One of us should go to make sure everything is fine at the house."

Vera said,rubbing circles at Bessie's back. Bessie still had her head on Vera's shoulder. She raised it up and sniffled before saying,

"I..I'm sorry but I can't work today."

She begged,looking back at the place where they just buried her mother.

"I know, it is okay."

"Thank you."

"Sir, I would like to take my leave."

I nodded to her direction.

"Bessie, take heart. I am truly sorry for your loss. You know I am always there for you."

She said. Bessie just nodded her eyes still on the spot.

"Okay, I will come and check up on you later."

And with that,Vera left. The rain had now turn to drizzle. Bessie slowly walked to the grave,then shrunk to her knees,fresh tears gathering up in her eyes again.
I walked to her and also squatted,not even caring that I am soaked to the marrow and I also have a lot of mud on my body.
It must be from the running. At first,I would have made a fuss about me being in a situation like this,but now,everything has stopped making sense ever since Bessie came around.
I know that everything changed after what I did to her that night,but this feelings is difference from the previous guilt feeling I had towards her.
This feeling is much more because I always want to see her face.
I looked towards Bessie and I saw her sitting motionlessly and I didn't know what to do. I went and sat by her for about fifteen minutes.
I knew I had to say something

"Uhm..,Bess,I am sorry about your mother."

I didn't know what else to say. She just sat there,staring motionlessly at the grave and was rocking to and fro.