Closing Time

You Lived Your Life

Not many people came to the funeral. But, at least, everyone who mattered did.

To match the mood, it was a depressingly rainy day in November. Charlie had already been planning to wear her nicer, more coated dress, but she ended up being wrapped in a windbreaker the entire time.

Despite her trying to fend off the water and cold, the windbreaker soon got soaked through, leaving her skin damp rather than fully shielded. Similarly, her shoes and socks ended up being fully soaked-every time she stepped over the grass, it only got more wet.

Of course, she couldn't really expect anything better from November.

No one really tried to talk to her. They'd already given her condolences, thoughts and prayers. It was never easy, they said. They were here for her, they said.

Charlie knew it was probably true. But she found it hard to care or even appreciate their kindness.

As the funeral director surrendered the stage to anyone who wanted to say final words, Charlie could feel everyone's eyes on her. They all expected her to say something-she was Henry's daughter, his only living relative.

But...she just didn't have anything to say. So, she didn't.

Eventually, Mike stepped up to the front. He gave some heartfelt speech about Henry, about how the man had saved him and his siblings from their abusive home, about how noble he was and how much Mike was going to miss him. Charlie knew he meant every word-Mike had been like Henry's son, even if it was never official.

During all the proceedings, her eyes remained fixed on the coffin. The original plan had been to have an open-casket funeral, but the rain had changed that. Honestly, Charlie was glad. She didn't know how she would feel if she could see Henry's face, his closed eyes...even if it would be nice to see him one last time, at least this way, she could simply exist, and not have to worry about that potential pain.

Mike finished up his speech, clearly attempting to be somewhat brief. He was a skilled orator-something he would never admit that he shared with his father-and Charlie knew that his words would likely resonate with at least a few of the people listening.

As for Charlie herself...well, she already didn't remember a word of it. How very fitting.

After a few more somewhat awkward moments waiting as the rain continued pouring down on them, Elizabeth also stepped up. Her speech was clearly a bit more spur-of-the-moment, being less polished and prepared. But, the emotion in her voice was the same, and the obvious high esteem she held Henry in was clear to everyone present.

Sometime during the speech, Charlie felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned a bit, and saw David standing there. He had a sympathetic look on his face, and nodded toward the coffin.

Charlie waited for him to say something. Thankfully, he didn't.

Eventually, Elizabeth's speech finished and she stepped down again. After another little while of no one stepping up, the funeral director walked forward and began to give the final words as four men walked to each corner of the coffin.

The coffin was shiny and polished. There wasn't any lacquer on it, Charlie knew Henry didn't want that. It was simply sanded down until it was smooth, with a weaving pattern carved into it. The wood was a solid mahogany, and the hinges were bronze to prevent age from rusting them. It was a good coffin, one Henry would like to be buried in. The kind of coffin Henry himself would probably have built.

Slowly, as the director finished up, the coffin was lowered into the hole dug into the ground. Then, they picked up a few shovels and began to fill it, covering the coffin.