Everyone stood around the coffin as dirt was scooped and dumped on top of it. Engraved on a gold plate it read: ꜱᴀʀᴀ ɢʀᴀᴄᴇ ᴋᴇʟʟᴇʏ. Rain poured down from the clouds, turning the dirt into mud, and creating a satisfying smack when it hit the coffin. Well, it would be satisfying if it weren't for the fact it was burying a coffin. How sad it was to be buried at a church, a place of holiness and goodwill. The two things seem to collide.
Everyone took turns scooping mud out of a bucket and throwing it into the grave. Smack. Smack. Smack. Smack. A girl who looked about 14 stood across from me. I was guessing it was Jessica—Sara's daughter. After the coffin was buried we all paid our respects and went inside. As I hurried inside getting away from the rain, I smacked right into Mr. Paladin, the lawyer who would be overseeing the adoption of Jessica. "Oh, hello Chelsea! I was looking for you. I need to speak to you about the adoption of Jessica Kelley." He said.
"Of course! What did you want to talk about?" I asked. The girl was standing next to him. She looked devastated yet grumpy. She looked tired in every way possible, and she had dark circles under her eyes like she hadn't slept at all in days.
Mr. Paladin started to speak as I stared at her, wondering how after what she had been through, she still had the energy to stand. "Jessica will come home with you tonight, and on Wednesday we will make the adoption final. That's in three days." I nodded in approval of the idea.
"Alright. Let's get to my house then Jessica." Jessica looked unhappy at what I had said.
"It's Jess." I was surprised she would talk to me.
"Alright then, Jess. Let's get in the car and get out of here. I have your room prepared. She nodded slowly and followed me as I waved goodbye to Mr. Paladin and headed to the car. I got in the front and Jess got in the passenger seat. I started the car up and pulled out of the parking lot of the church. Jess stared out the window with a deep frown on her face, as if she was deep in thought. I sighed as I drove down the street, wondering how this was reality.
YOU ARE READING
Silent Vows
Fiksi UmumChelsea Anderson is the godmother of her best friend Sara Kelley's daughter. After Sara dies in a terrible accident, Chelsea becomes the adoptive mother of Jess. Along with the trauma of her death, there are many issues between the pair. Jess strugg...
