Tears(working title)

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The plop and drizzle of rain mirrors the tears of the mourners as they file out of the sanctuary. The gloomy sky is split with a flash of lightning and the windows rattle from the booming thunder. With a soft whoosh of indrawn breath, the crowd gasps as the shimmer of a brilliant rainbow drifts into view.

Is the rainbow a signal, or a message, or a sign, or a natural phenomenon? Melissa's mind whirls with emotion and random questions. There are so many decisions to make, now. Where to live, how to pay the bills, who to trust. Why had all this happened, anyway? She just has to get through the rest of today and then she can start finding answers. She forces a sad, grateful smile at the stranger, who opens the limo door, and ducks inside.

The rain fades to a barely perceptible mist as the funeral procession arrives at the cemetery. Melissa takes her seat on the front row. No one else joins her on the row designated for family as the other mourners appear grant her the privacy she so desperately needs. She is as much a stranger to them as they are to her.

The diverse group maintains their silence as the funeral director starts the portable CD player. The strains of bagpipes playing "Amazing Grace" fill the air. Muffled sobs from scattered women make it difficult for Melissa to maintain her composure. She thinks about all the times Jonathan rebuked her for showing her emotions in public. She shudders as she realizes, with chagrin, that she will never hear his beloved voice again.

The music fades as the preacher, pre-selected by Jonathan - he planned everything to the nth detail- took his place near the closed casket - the one thing Melissa decided. Pastor Clinton's voice drones as Melissa loses herself, yet again, in thoughts, memories, echoes.