Red

Chapter 1

"As we already know, we are gathered here to pay our last respect to the lovely and gentle Samantha McCannon. Her life was a blessing to us all and her tender love will forever remain in our hearts. She was a mother, sister, wife and friend to me. I may not say a lot about her now but my heart weeps with every passing second. May her beautiful and gentle soul rest in perfect peace."

Aiden McCannon dropped the microphone and headed towards the empty seat in between his son Isaac and his personal assistant Eldy. The sounds of applause he received meant absolutely nothing to him. He had lost his wife.

No man wanted to live and see his wife die. But God had a reason for everything. It was a sad thing to wake up  to see that your wife died in her sleep. It was shocking and somewhat scary.

He couldn't fight it. He couldn't do anything to change the current situation. 'We don't fight with seasons, we flow with them' He constantly reminded himself. He readied his heart and he bought a little big land and constructed an outstanding cemetery. It will hold the first born children of his dynasty.

The McCannon private cemetery was skillfully sculpted. He awarded the cemetery construction contract to the most sought after engineering firm. They readily agreed. Who would turn down a personal request from the Aiden McCannon himself? Every one was sure that after  centuries, the McCannon cemetery will become a regular tourist site. Anyone who was anyone in everything attended this burial. It was streamed live across the world.

Isaac squeezed his fathers hand and smiled at him. Aiden returned a pained smile. The pastor climbed the pulpit and called for the son of the deceased to give his brief tribute.

It was Isaac's turn to give his father a pained smile. He began his address.

"My mother always loved me. Always. She did everything she could to make sure I knew that I was loved and cherished. Even though I was a child of her old age, she nurtured me and cared for me, paying so much attention to my every need..." He paused and took a sip of water. Perhaps it would hinder the tears from falling.

"... I don't even know what to say. If she were here, she'll say 'come on Isaac, you know what to say. I believe in you'..." He paused again and used his hanky to dab his eyes. He courageously went on, not caring if today was the day that the entire world will see the tough Isaac McCannon cry.

"... I miss you mum. I really do. It hurts me so much that you didn't live long enough to see the kind of pretty girl I'd marry or the noisy children I'll give birth to. I love you so much and I miss you.." And then he broke down.

Eldy walked swiftly towards the pulpit and helped him back to his seat. He was a bawling mess.

Aiden McCannon had already left the funeral service. He ordered Eldy to ensure it went smoothly. He just couldn't bear it anymore. He would probably wait for her in the cemetery.

The pastor skipped the next order of service. What immediate family member will view the deceased? He thanked everyone for making time to be in the funeral service, he then asked the congregation to rise for the benediction.

"May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the sweet fellowship of the Holy Spirit rest and abide with us now and forever more. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our life and we shall dwell in the house of the Lord now and forever more. Amen." The entire congregation chorused.

"I commit you to God and to the power of his grace which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among them that are sanctified. Go and conquer your world in the name of Jesus." The pastor stretched his right hand over the people as he blessed them and they gave a loud and hearty 'Amen!' in return.