A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall

Chapter XXXI: April Come She Will

Angus was quieter than usual over the next few days. We were home now. The service had been small. Despite the vast number of people that had shown up, all their children and their children's families, it was still intimate and cosy. 

And very sad.

Mrs. Young wasn't doing very well. She still smiled at the guests and she would socialise with them before and after but she couldn't seem to stop crying. I couldn't blame her. I'd act the same way if I ever lost Angus. 

Luckily for us the rain waited until we parted to go home. Little cold droplets sliding down our faces beside the warm tears. A couple of men stood across from each other handing out black umbrellas that when opened they stretched out like bat wings. Alex and Stephen offered to help Mrs. Young get home while the rest of us would go our separate ways. 

Before she could get into the car I went up and hugged her. She held me tightly, both of us fighting back tears. "It's good to see you, dear," she said. 

I listened as she whispered something into my ear. Stepping away she followed Alex to the car they were taking. Angus came up behind me and led me away from the crowd, both of us wanting nothing more than to be alone. 

**********

A cab dropped us off. We were both quiet the entire lift home. Angus went upstairs to our room and I stayed downstairs to make tea. Mrs. Young's parting words ran through my head over and over again. 

I don't know how much longer I have left....so take good care of my boy.

I burned my hand in the hot water and spilled some on the counter. Attempting to clean it up and fix my hand I knocked over the salt shaker. I took deep, calming breaths and counted to ten. Now was not the time for clumsiness but it also wasn't the time to lose my temper about it. There was a shadow hanging over all of us and we needed to deal with everything as best as we could. Take things one at a time. Forgetting trivial things like spilt tea and focusing on the important things. 

Being there for my loved ones. 

And trying not to lose myself in the meantime.