Skeleton Keys (on hold)

Chapter One

I gazed out of the limo's window, watching the trees with golden and crimson leaves as they flowed by. I loved this time of year in the mountains. The air had a slight chill to it, and the excitement of the approaching holidays filled the small town . Grandpa had loved it too. I'd been expecting him to call me, asking when we'd be going up to the lake house to fish, like we'd done every fall since I could remember. But now-

He wouldn't be calling me anymore.

The limo crept along on the gravel drive and then stopped as close as possible to the burial site. A gentle wind blew, a cold breeze hinting at the winter to come as the sun's warmth began to build. A few leaves tumbled past us as Elise, my step-mom, and I climbed out of the limo and stepped onto the lawn. I wobbled briefly in my heels, and Elise held her hand out to me. I took it, her grip offering me support in more than the obvious way.

Everyone gathered around while we stood with our flowers clutched in our hands. I looked back to the cars as the other men and older boys of my family walked solemnly up the aisle, carrying Grandpa's casket to the grave. They set the coffin down on the stand, and took their seats with us.

The priest stepped beside the grave, quieting the few whispers that fluttered through the mourners behind me. He gave a polite cough, then started.

"We are gathered here to say farewell to Edward Brooks and to commit him into the hands of God." The priest looked down, his eyes skimming over his notes before continuing. "Lord our God, you are the source of life..."

To be honest, I wasn't listening to the priest. My attention was on the sleek hardwood that gleamed like honey in the warm, autumn light. I'd last seen Grandpa a few months ago, when he'd traveled all the way to Florida to see me graduate from college. He'd been bright and cheery, like he always was.

Yesterday, when I first arrived back in town, I kept expecting to see him. Sitting in his chair at Dad's, or to come into the kitchen for our traditional 'welcome home' midnight snack. And today; well, today just didn't seem real to me.

"The Lord bless you and watch over you. The Lord make his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you. The Lord look kindly on you and keep you in peace; In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."

"Amen."

Taking his cue from the priest, Dad stood. Elise followed him and they walked to the casket together to say their final goodbyes. I watched her lean on him, gracefully crying for my father's father. She placed her white rose on top of the polished wood.

My step-sister, Lizzy, and her husband, Will, stood. Grandpa had tried to make up for her real grandparents, who'd passed away when she was a toddler. While they didn't have many interests in common, he'd spoiled her just like any of his other grandchildren.

Lizzy sobbed.

Will pried Lizzy's flowers from her hands and placed them on the coffin. He turned Lizzy away, leading her back towards the limo. I heard him talking, soothing her in a way I envied and craved.

Mom often complained to me about my lack of boyfriends, but thankfully, it hadn't gone beyond that yet. Either way, they were chats that I tried to avoid. Still, I did have to agree with her that guys were handy to have around. All I wanted right now was to be held and comforted, but I was alone. I felt stranded in Dad's home town. Which now without my only friend here, started to shrink in on me; changing from a fun summer getaway, to the small, isolated, run-down town I'd always known it to be.

“Mary?” the priest called, raising a hand to motion me forward.

It was my turn. I stood, clutching the single daisy in my hand. Unlike the others, I knew Grandpa had loved daisies. He'd loved them because those were the flowers Grandma had loved. She'd planted them all around their house by the lake.