Grace always loved lilies. She kept a little vase of them on her kitchen windowsill every spring without fail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And now here they were, surrounding her casket, and all I could think was that I would never be able to look at a lily again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My daughter was gone. The baby she\u2019d been carrying in her belly was gone, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The police had called it a tragic accident, and I kept turning those words over and over in my mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It wasn\u2019t enough to explain why my Gracie was gone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I would never be able to look at a lily again.
Somewhere behind me, a woman sniffled. The organ music drifted through the air low and slow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My husband, Frank, sat beside me, and I knew he was doing the same thing I was \u2014 holding himself together by willpower alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then the church doors opened behind us. I didn\u2019t think much of it until I heard the gasps and whispers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I turned, and there was Bill, my son-in-law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He wasn\u2019t alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I heard the gasps and whispers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A tall brunette walked beside him, her hand looped through his arm, her black dress cut tight enough to be a statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My stomach dropped straight to the floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFrank. What\u2026 who\u2026 am I seeing what I think I\u2019m seeing?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Frank turned, saw what I saw, and went completely still beside me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI-I think so, Em,\u201d Frank replied. \u201cThat must be Sharon.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I bit my lip so hard, I tasted pennies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat must be Sharon.\u201d
Sharon. I first heard that name when Grace was in her first trimester.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019d invited her and Bill to dinner, but she came alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBill had to work late,\u201d she said with a small smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s he working on?\u201d Frank asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Grace burst into tears. I thought it was just hormones, but then she started talking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI-I think he\u2019s\u2014\u201d Grace broke off, sobbing. \u201cI think Bill\u2019s having an affair.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I first heard that name when Grace was in her first trimester.
We sat her down in the living room and listened as she told us about the late nights Bill had been spending at the office, and how he was constantly texting his colleague, Sharon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I held her close and told her it might be nothing, and that she shouldn\u2019t jump to conclusions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now, I was watching my son-in-law walk into my daughter\u2019s funeral with his mistress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bill guided her down the aisle with one hand at the small of her back. He steered her into the front row.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spot reserved for the mourning husband, who clearly wasn\u2019t mourning much at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was watching my son-in-law walk into my daughter\u2019s funeral with his mistress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sharon sat down and tilted her head against Bill\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I heard someone whisper, \u201cDid Bill bring a date to his wife\u2019s funeral?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I braced my hands and started to rise. I wasn\u2019t going to stand by and watch those two make a mockery of the worst day of my life. I\u2019d drag that witch out of here if I had to, but this could not continue!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Frank grabbed my arm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNot here, Em,\u201d he said under his breath, his grip firm. \u201cNot during the service.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m not letting her sit there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI know.\u201d His voice was tight. \u201cBut not here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019d drag that witch out of here if I had to.
I clenched my jaw and sat back down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The pastor began speaking. He talked about Grace\u2019s kind heart and how she volunteered at the soup kitchen every weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He talked about the baby boy she had already named Carl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Through it all, I glared at Bill and Sharon. I clenched my fingers around my purse strap because it was the only thing keeping me from standing up and saying something I would absolutely not regret.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I clenched my jaw and sat back down.
When the final hymn ended, the pastor closed his Bible and looked out at the congregation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGrace was a light in many lives,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd we will carry that light forward.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The room went quiet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then a man in a gray suit stood up near the aisle. He walked to the front and turned to face the congregation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cExcuse me,\u201d he said. \u201cMy name is Mr. David. I\u2019m Grace\u2019s attorney.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A man in a gray suit stood up near the aisle.
Bill\u2019s head snapped up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNow?\u201d he said sharply. \u201cWe\u2019re doing this now?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYour wife left very specific instructions that her will be opened, and read at her funeral. In front of her family.\u201d He lifted a slim folder. \u201cAnd in front of you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bill let out a short, harsh breath. \u201cThis is ridiculous.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mr. David continued as though Bill hadn\u2019t spoken. \u201cThere is a specific section Grace insisted be read aloud. I\u2019ll begin there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYour wife left very specific instructions that her will be opened, and read at her funeral.\u201d
Mr. David cleared his throat. \u201cTo my family, I love you more than words could ever hold. If you are hearing this\u2026 it means the accident I feared has finally happened.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A gasp moved through the chapel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Frank went rigid beside me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mr. David turned the page. \u201c\u2018To my husband, Bill.’\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Every head in the room swiveled toward the front row.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bill turned to whisper to Sharon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe accident I feared has finally happened.\u201d
\u201cI know about Sharon,\u201d Mr. David continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The room erupted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sharon ducked her head. Bill went pale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ve known for months, and because I knew\u2026 I prepared a farewell gift for you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat kind of circus is this?\u201d Bill snapped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mr. David closed the folder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then he reached down and opened his briefcase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI prepared a farewell gift for you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The room went quiet. Everyone watched Mr. David pull out a black tablet and set it on the podium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The screen flickered on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then Grace was there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo,\u201d Bill groaned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHi,\u201d Grace said. \u201cIf you\u2019re watching this, it means I didn\u2019t make it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I swear I forgot how to breathe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The screen flickered on.
Frank took my hand and held it tightly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Grace smiled sadly. \u201cBefore we get to the surprise, I want to take this opportunity to say something important. Mom. Dad. I love you so much. Thank you for everything you did for me. Mom, I prepared something for you. You\u2019ll get it later. You\u2019ll know what to do with it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I turned to Frank, confused. He shrugged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNow, Bill,\u201d Grace continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMom, I prepared something for you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I looked back at the tablet. Grace\u2019s expression had hardened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI tried to believe that your affair with Sharon was a mistake,\u201d she said. \u201cI wanted to believe that, but when you cheat on your pregnant wife, it stops being a mistake. Or rather, you became the mistake.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is insane\u2014\u201d Bill started to rise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSit down,\u201d someone behind him hissed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bill sat. Sharon shifted away from him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou became the mistake.\u201d
I gave them all to my lawyer. Three days ago,\u201d Grace said, \u201cI filed for divorce.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou what?\u201d Bill snapped. He turned to Sharon. \u201cIt\u2019s fine. It doesn\u2019t matter. It can\u2019t change anything.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou haven\u2019t been served yet at the time I\u2019m recording this, but by the time you see this video, the court will already have the petition.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bill looked around the room wildly, like he was searching for someone to tell him this wasn\u2019t happening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThree days ago, I filed for divorce.\u201d
\u201cThis isn\u2019t legal,\u201d he snapped. \u201cIt can\u2019t be.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut that\u2019s not all.\u201d Grace tilted her head slightly on screen, and I swear to you she looked amused. \u201cYou remember the prenup you signed before our wedding, Bill?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sharon directed a sharp gaze at Bill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAccording to that agreement,\u201d Grace said, \u201ceverything I owned before our marriage remains mine. And because I updated my will, all of my assets return to my family. You will inherit nothing from me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou remember the prenup you signed before our wedding, Bill?\u201d
\u201cThat\u2019s my girl,\u201d Frank muttered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBy the time you hear this,\u201d Grace continued, \u201cyou will be my husband only on paper. And a pretty worthless one at that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A sharp laugh echoed through the church but was quickly silenced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Grace exhaled slowly. \u201cTo my family and everyone I loved, I\u2019m sorry I disrupted my own funeral this way. I hope you\u2019ll understand why in time. Please remember me with love, and remember Carl. Take care of each other.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then the screen went black.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry I disrupted my own funeral this way.\u201d
For a long moment, nobody moved. Nobody spoke. The chapel held its breath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then Bill stood and let out a harsh, hollow laugh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is a lie!\u201d He turned to face the congregation. \u201cYou all know this is nonsense.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sharon stood, too. Bill reached for her hand, but Sharon stepped back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou lied to me,\u201d she said. \u201cYou said we\u2019d get everything.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That was the end of it. Grace\u2019s best friend stood and marched toward them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou said we\u2019d get everything.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGet out!\u201d she snarled. \u201cIf I have to look at the two of you for one more second\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The rest of her sentence was drowned out as the remaining mourners all called for Bill and Sharon to leave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then a tall man near the aisle moved toward Bill. He took his elbow and showed him to the door. Sharon followed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then Mr. David was beside me, holding out an envelope.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The remaining mourners all called for Bill and Sharon to leave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGrace asked me to give this to you personally,\u201d Mr. David said. \u201cTo be read in private.\u201d
\u201cWhat is it?\u201d My voice came out smaller than I intended.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShe said you would understand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I looked at Frank. He nodded. We left our seats and slipped into a small side room off the chapel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I stared at the envelope.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGo ahead,\u201d Frank whispered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGrace asked me to give this to you personally.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I opened it. Inside were documents and a folded letter.
I opened the letter first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mom, if you\u2019re reading this, it means something happened to me before Carl was born. I pray that isn\u2019t the case. But if it is, there are things you need to know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bill started acting strange about six months ago. At first, I thought it was stress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then he began pushing me to increase my life insurance. He said it was for the baby. But the way he brought it up felt wrong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I opened the letter first.
My eyes dropped to the documents beneath the letter. They were insurance forms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maybe it\u2019s nothing. Maybe I\u2019m just scared because of the baby. But if something happens to me\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I looked up at Frank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat does she say?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShe thinks Bill pressured her to increase her life insurance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The color left Frank\u2019s face entirely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I looked back at the letter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My eyes dropped to the documents beneath the letter.
Please take these documents to the police. I\u2019m going to see my lawyer tomorrow to discuss a divorce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I hope I\u2019m wrong. God, I hope I\u2019m wrong. But if I\u2019m not, someone needs to look into it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mom, I know you\u2019ll do the right thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I love you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 Grace<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I stood there for a moment with the letter in my hands and felt everything inside me go very still.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then I folded the letter carefully and slid everything back into the envelope.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Please take these documents to the police.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Grace had trusted me with this. She had known that if the worst happened, she could put this in my hands and it would get where it needed to go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Frank looked at me. \u201cWhat are you thinking?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I met Frank\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019re going to the police,\u201d I said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And for the first time since my daughter died, I felt something that wasn\u2019t just grief and wasn\u2019t just rage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was smaller than either of those things, and quieter, and somehow stronger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Grace had trusted me with this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The police opened an investigation that same day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Months later, Bill appeared in court.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sharon was nowhere to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Frank and I sat in the courtroom and watched him walk in alone, looking scared and small. I squeezed Frank\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It took months before the judge finally delivered a verdict, but when that gavel came down, my heart felt lighter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019d done what Grace had asked of me, and Bill would pay for his wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Grace always loved lilies. She kept a little vase of them on her kitchen windowsill every spring without fail. And now here they were, surrounding her casket, and all I could think…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7709,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7708","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-interesting-stories"],"yoast_head":"\n