Remembrance seemed like it would go on forever in Miles’s mind, but the limo had finally pulled up. This was the part of the service that was reserved strictly for those that had spent final moments with Sheila, her parents, Miles, and Dr. Stevens. “I’ll wait outside for you, bro,” Phil gave him a supporting pat and went back inside the limo to wait. Sheila’s parents were already inside, but Miles couldn’t bring himself to watch Sheila be put away. He thought having her body be laid to rest in the mausoleum would be easier to deal with because at least she wouldn’t be buried six feet beneath the dirt. Instead, she would be right in front of him, but none of that mattered because she would still be dead in her coffin; it was all too real for Miles to handle. “You need someone to join you?” Dr. Stevens said, walking up. Miles smiled at the familiar face and extended his hand out to help her walk in the grass with her heels. “If we go this way, we can avoid the mud.” He said, thankful that he didn’t have to go in alone. The rest of their walk was filled with silence, but Miles appreciated it. It offered him somewhat of peace, and he needed that to be able to say goodbye to Sheila. “Thank you guys for coming,” Sheila’s mom said when Miles and Dr. Stevens made it inside. “We know how much you both meant to our daughter, especially you, Miles,” she turned to face him and caressed his cheek. “I’m so sorry honey, I know you wanted more time with her, but understand you gave a whole new meaning to her life and don’t ever forget that.” She turned from him before the tears could make their way down her face, and Sheila’s dad stepped in to comfort her.“I’m going to take her back home and make sure the guests are settled. Miles, son, if there’s something you ever need, don’t hesitate to call. Dr. Stevens,” he placed a hand on her shoulder, “thank you so much for taking care of our daughter as much as you could. You are the best doctor she’s had; we really appreciate it.” Dr. Stevens didn’t try to hide her emotions as tears cascaded down her cheeks. She didn’t bother wiping them. “Well, I think I’m going to go ahead and follow them out, I’ve had about as much crying as I can take. You know doctors aren’t supposed to be this attached to their patients.” She said more so to herself than to Miles. “Are you going to be okay here by yourself?” “Oh, yea. I won’t be here too much longer myself, plus my brother is outside waiting, so yea, I’ll be fine. Hey, thanks, you know for how you handled Sheila and everything, you really helped prolong her life.” “I think we all know you had more to do with prolonging her life.” She winked. “Take care, Miles.” “Then there was two,” Miles said, looking up at all the names on the wall. “At least you won’t be in here by yourself, babe.” He rubbed his hands over the shiny template with Sheila G Tiner on it. “I don’t think I can do this without you, you weren’t supposed to leave me this soon,” His voice cracked. He had been holding in his cry all day; he just couldn’t bring himself to cry in front of other people, no this cry was reserved for Sheila only. He pulled a small velvet box out of the pocket of his slacks and held it up in front of her tomb. “You got me carrying around this ring like a sucker because you left before I had the opportunity to give it to you.” He laughed as snot began to run from his nose, mixing with the tears that were now staining his entire face. He didn’t care though, he would get it all out before he had to go back to being the man made of stone, not displaying any emotions. “I love you, Sheila, please come back,” he whispered, now slouched down against the wall. “Come on, man, let’s get you home,” Phil said when he found him leaning towards the wall with the ring in one hand and the box in the other. 39
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