Dracula's Groom

CHAPTER ONE: Last Will & Testament

Rain pitter-pattered against the roof of my car as the rest of the family stood outside Rosewood's funeral home and crematory. I had arrived ten minutes late behind schedule followed by the beginnings of a bad day. At first, I ended up misplacing my keys then my car ran out of gas across town. I contemplated about showing up for the service at all after the rough start I'd had this morning. But I knew deep down that my great-great aunt Agnus would've wanted me to be here to pay my love and respects.

A quick swipe from the windshield wipers revealed my uncle and his wife waving at me from across the way, telling me that the viewing was about to begin. I grabbed my umbrella from the passenger seat and opened the door as I pushed the button on the handle and stepped out into the storm. I jogged across the parking lot, dodging the giant puddles of water that threatened to get my clothes wet at a moment's notice. Once inside, I closed the umbrella and placed it in the holding bin near the entrance as I took off my coat and draped it over my arm as I greeted the rest of my family.

Time had taken its toll on all of us. We rarely saw each other except for maybe messaging one another on Facebook or liking a photo on Instagram. But whenever we got together like this, I always felt out of place. I hugged my cousins and aunts and shook the hands of my uncles as we piled into the entrance hall. Then a woman appeared from behind a door dressed in a black pantsuit with red fingernails and strawberry blonde hair. She smiled warmly as she approached us.

"Hello everyone, and welcome. We're so very sorry to hear about your loss. The viewing is about to begin. Would you kindly follow me please?"

A long hallway with gold-leaf lighting fixtures, scroll wallpaper and wood paneling lead the way to various viewing rooms of the dead. I could smell the incense, flowers and cleaning products as I wrinkled my nose and tried not to sneeze. A picture of Aunt Agnus sat outside the doors along with her one most beloved quotes: Don't be afraid of death; be afraid of an unlived life. You don't have to live forever, you just have to live.

I stood in the back as the rest of my family walked into the viewing room single-file. We signed the guest book, took a memorial card, and paid our respects in front of an urn that contained her ashes. As I sat in the front row, between my uncle and cousin, I began to wonder what happens after we die. Is there really such a thing as a light at the end of the tunnel? Or is it that when we die we're gone like poof? I've been to church. I've skimmed the bible. But I guess to fully understand the mystery behind death and if there is a life beyond this one, then that person must experience it first-hand.

After an eternity, the doors to the viewing room closed silently behind a middle aged man dressed as a priest. I watched as he stepped up to the podium and opened up his copy of the bible before speaking to the crowd of mourns who came to pay their respects.

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Lord, our God in Heaven, you are the source of life. In you we live and move and have our being. Keep us in life and death in your love, and, by your grace, lead us to your kingdom, Through Jesus Christ, our Lord."

"Amen," said the congregation.

When the service was finished, a member of the funeral staff carried the urn out the doors to a white hearse as we followed and each got into our cars. With our emergency lights flashing the hearse lead the way to the cemetery. Rain continued to fall as I looked out the window and saw the grounds keeper sitting inside his truck. Then came a knock against the glass as I jumped slightly and stared up at the face of my uncle who pointed to the priest and the rest of the family heading for the mausoleum.

I shut off the engine and grabbed the umbrella again as I walked amongst the tombstones and wet grass. Inside, candles burned as the flames danced and drank in the air that swept in behind me as the metal door closed with a heavy thud. The family had gathered in front of the priest as he placed the urn into the crypt and blessed it with holy water. He then read a few more versus from the bible before offering his condolences to us. I shook his hand firmly and told him thank you that it was a lovely service. He smiled and nodded before taking his leave as the rest of my family said their last goodbye's to Aunt Agnus.