Seeds of Tomorrow

51

The old woman was cold by the time Madison discovered her. Gladys had skipped bingo the night before stating she was exhausted and felt like she was coming down with something so she'd retired to bed early.

When eleven o'clock came about the following morning, Madison found herself concerned. It was unlike her mother-in-law to sleep so late, regardless of being sick.

And that's when she found her. Judging by the discoloration on the side of her face, Gladys had been gone for several hours. Though she was grateful the kids were at school, she wished she wasn't alone at the same time.

She phoned emergency services before she called her husband. Fernando was in the middle of a tattoo session so she simply requested he call her back once he finished up. Madison then called her sisters-in-law to share the bad news, asking them to come to the house but not to tell Fernando as he was working.

Finally, she decided to call Krist, of all people. He lived nearby and she hadn't wanted to be in that house with the authorities and the dead body of her mother-in-law by herself.

Krist had been free at the time, arriving even before the medical examiner. He pulled her into his arms, wrapping her into a tight embrace, her face buried in his chest. He smelt nice.

"Fuck, man," he murmured, "Do they know what happened?"

Madison shook her head, sniffling into his white tee, "No. Maybe a heart attack or something? I really don't know."

Krist held her for a moment, "Man...this is going to kill Fernando," he said softly, withdrawing his embrace, tears glistening in his grey-colored eyes.

"That's why I haven't told him yet," she said, her voice cracking, "I want to wait for him to get home so that I can tell him in person."

He nodded, his eyes cast away, "Fuck, I can't believe she's gone...I know she was old and all but, fuck, she was feisty."

****

Marisol and Nina had arrived together, Marisol's husband in tow. Madi silently kicked herself for inviting Krist over knowing Nina would be there. She didn't mention it to him but could sense the level of discomfort from him. He handled the situation gracefully, which said a lot for him, offering Nina a sideways hug of condolence before giving her sister a full-on embrace.

Marisol was a complete mess, not the Madison judged or expected otherwise. She was the closest to Gladys of the girls and adored her mother.

Amid the emotion, Madison's phone rang. She'd expected it to be Fernando but it was Serafin's school. It had been early release, something that had slipped her mind after finding Gladys.

Krist offered to drive her to the school, eager to find an excuse to leave without seeming rude. Not to mention, Madison was in no position to drive herself.

"I look like such a mess," she told him, fastening the seatbelt.

"Nobody gonna judge for it right now," Krist said quietly.

"Thanks for confirming that I look awful," Madi replied.

"I ain't gonna lie to you," he gave her a half smirk.

Madison wiped away her tears, some semblance of a smile playing upon her pouty lips.

"Bro, she fucking hated me for the longest time," he blurted out after a few minutes, "I mean I don't blame her...after the shit I did to Nina but damn...Gladys didn't make it no secret how she felt about me."