A Second Chance

Part 40 - Thank you, Jay

...

"Can I get a closer look? Also, who is that person?" I asked quietly.

Justin didn't take his eyes off Emily. "Her name is... I forgot. I don't know her. But my observing system's scanned the headstone before. She died on this day in 2011."

Emily rose slowly and brushed the dirt from her knees. Her purple-hued bandage glowed a little brighter than normal over the sunlight. She reached down and placed a white flower on the grave. There were a bunch of similar white flowers next to the graveyard.

"I'm here, Cynthia." She said softly. "Here's to another year, but I'm here."

So, her name was Cynthia? I've never met anyone named Cynthia, but she must have been important to Emily. Maybe she's her mother... yeah, that's definitely not right. Justin already said that my theory was way off. Whoever she was though, Emily definitely cared a lot.

Emily lowered herself to match the level of the gravestone. "The kids are doing great... a lot of them are grown up now. Some even left the state for college. I wish you could have seen them walk across the stage during graduation."

"Right, those guys..." Justin muttered. "They were and are a hassle, but she was adamant on it,"

"You know those kids or whoever?"

"I sure do, but not who Cynthia was,"

I was somehow surprised. Knowing Justin, he should've cracked at least one joke, but he didn't. This moment must be very serious if even he is choosing to be respectful and stay silent. Not that she wouldn't want to see us tailing her like that... or would she even care if she did see us?

"Martin just got married, by the way," she continued. "I went to the wedding. Justin tagged along too. Martin looked so happy. Him and his wife are gonna take care of each other so well. He tried to get me to take off the bandage, but I said no. The apology isn't really the only reason anymore."

...

...

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"Your daughter... she's doing fine too. She's still in this neighborhood, so she should be safe."

I looked at Justin. "So, this 'Cynthia' has a daughter?"

"Yeah, I've met her. She is a very hopeful person; you might know her as Kelly, your neighbor,"

"Wait - what?! Her?!"

"Yeah," Justin shrugged. "Why so surprised? BTW, that's not her full name,"

"It's just... she's part of Emily's 'secret society' or what it's called. Emily told me after Kelly struck up a conversation with me."

"Conversation?"

"Wait, I think she's finishing," I motioned towards Emily getting back up and bowing.

"I hope you are happy in the afterlife." she concluded. "May you find peace in your next life,"

...

"Yeah, what conversation?"

"She wanted to get to know me and I deflected some questions, but I think she was testing me. Not that she's evil or anything, but it's just creepy knowing that a lot of people in this neighborhood act like some secret organization, not to mention how cool and scary it is and now, some of them are dead? It's scary and I have so many questions about everything. You know what, I'm starting to bet that the cashier is also part of the secret society, speaking of which, I probably won't have to accept my job with him and now I finally get to go back to my-"