The Meaning

10: Grief

Cain's back in Arizona, it's the day of the funeral. He's sitting in the living room, staring at the TV, not paying attention to it, just simply staring at it. Eva taps him on the shoulder, he snaps out of thinking. 
Eva: How are you feeling? 
Cain: Sad, filled with grief. 
Eva: I know your speach will be great, honey. 
She grabs Cain's hand. Cain looks up at her.
Cain: After we go back, will you be fine, mom? 
Eva: I'll cope somehow, don't worry. 
Cain: You can call me, message me at anytime. 
Eva smiles. Monica comes down from upstairs. Her eyes are welled up, she's holding a picture of their dad on a fishing trip. 
Monica: Mom, can I take this with me? I want to frame it.
Eva: Of course you can! Hey, come here.
Eva stands up and goes to comfort Monica. Cain stands up as well. 
Monica: I already miss him. 
Eva: Me too... me too. 
They both start crying. Cain walks up and hugs both of them.
Cain: We're still a family, he would want us to get through it. So that's what we'll do. 

The funeral is being held at the local church. They only called close family, but that still means a lot of people. Cain and Monica are at the entrance welcoming everyone, Eva is making sure that every detail is perfect. 
Monica: Do you think Diana is alright?
Cain: I think she is. She's probably worried about you. The last time we spoke was when I got the news. She was really worried about you. 
Monica: So that Dr. Richter died too?
Cain: Sadly, yeah. Heart attack. 
Monica: All the good people get taken away. 
Cain: Yeah...
Their grandparents, Shelly and Karl, from the dad side of the family arrive. They are really quite old.
Cain: Grandma, grandpa we are so glad you could make it. 
Shelly: Oh, it's hard for us, I can't imagine what it's like for you. We thought that George'll be the one to bury us... Agh, but let's leave that for the funeral. Give your grandmother a hug. 
They hug their grandma. 
Karl: You've grown so much. 
Cain: We have. 
Cain shakes Karl's hands and Monica hugs him. 
Cain: Eva is inside, she'll show you to your place.
Shelly: Who's saying the speech?
Monica: Cain. 
Shelly: I'm sure you'll honor his memory, darling. *smiles* Well, Karl let's go inside. 

Their dad's brother, Lloyd arrives with his wife, Helen and their two kids, Elliot and Marigold.
Cain: I thought they weren't invited. 
Monica: I thought so too. 
Cain: I'm not gonna act nice, they don't deserve it.
Monica: Come on, it's his brother.
Cain: They are just here so they can get a cut from the will.
Monica: *squints* There is no will.
Cain: Exactly. But they don't know that. I guarantee you, if you told them that there is no will, they wouldn't have come. 
Monica: You're probably right, just don't banish them to hell with your stare. We don't need any drama.
Cain: I'll try my best.
They greet each other. Monica starts talking to Helen and Lloyd. Cain crouches down to Elliot first. Elliot's always been a handful.
Cain: Hey there Elliot, goodness me you've grown. 
Elliot: I'm going to be the tallest in the family.
Cain: I'm sure you will be. How's school? 
Elliot: *shrugs* Alright. Mom told me this is your second funeral.
(You little shit...)
Helen: *in a raised voice* Elliot! What did I say about bringing it up? 
Cain let's out a harsh breath and looks at Elliot with narrowed eyes.
Cain: It's not a problem. He'll learn with time.
(No, he won't... he's gonna become an adult asshole.)
He turns to Marigold. Elliot and Marigold were twins, they wasn't alike in any way. It's like she's not even their kid.
Cain: Well hello Mari! You've grown as well. *looks at Elliot with a sour look* Probably more than your brother. 
Marigold: *faintly smiles* I really missed you. Why can't I see you more?
Cain: You're gonna have to ask your parents. 
Marigold runs to Cain and hugs him. 
Cain: Oh, wasn't expecting that. 
Elliot whispers something to himself.
Elliot: *mockingly* Why can't I see you more? 
Cain heard him and looks at him and he shakes his head.
Cain: We'll talk more after the funeral, okay Mari? 
Marigold smiles
Marigold: Okaaay!
Cain stands up and looks at Helen and Lloyd with a hard stare, Monica notices and gives him a small nudge. Cain forces on a smile. 
(Just finish your talk with Monica and go in. You don't need to talk to me.)
Lloyd turns his head towards Cain. 
(Well here we go then.)
Lloyd: You're still at that private school in Salt Lake City? 
Cain: Yes.
Lloyd: How is it?
Cain: It's good. Nothing special. 
Lloyd: You got a girlfriend? 
Cain: Yeah, I do.
Lloyd: Oh, what's her name? 
Cain: Bailey. 
Helen interrupts.
Helen: That sounds like a mischievous name, be careful with her.
Cain clenched his jaw.
Cain: Judging a book by it's cover is not a good thing to do, you sh-
(-ould be happy Lloyd didn't judge  you by your cover.)
Monica cuts the conversation short knowing Cain wanted to insult Helen.
Monica: Well, it's almost time, you should speak to Eva while you have time. 
Lloyd: Yes, we should. Elliot, Marigold come on. 
As they are walking in Helen stops and looks at Cain. 
Helen: Please don't call her Mari. She'll get used to it.
Cain: And? She likes it, won't do any harm.
Helen sighs and shakes her head and goes inside the church.
Cain: Thanks for stopping me. 
Monica: No worries. You could just indulge her. Play along.
Cain: No. Chance. In. Hell. 
Monica: You never told me. Why do you hate them so much? 
Cain: Most of the families who got me were like this. They were full of themselves. But not as much as them. Honestly, I feel bad for the kids. Elliot is already like them, Mari still has a chance to become a good person and when I have the chance I'll try to keep her on the right path. 
Monica nods in agreement. She can't argue with that.