Chapter 5: The Grave of Ellaine

As Dave descended from his car, holding a bouquet of flowers, he walked slowly towards a grave site and gently placed the flowers down.

"How are you, Love? I hope you are happy wherever you are," he expressed as he sat on the grass and lit a candle.

"I miss you, Ellaine. I wish you were here to hear everything I say to you. But you know, Ellaine, ever since you were gone, it feels like a thorn pierced my heart; it's so painful for me to accept the truth that you're really gone. I often look for you because I miss the times when we were always together, especially the moments when we shared dreams for our future. It's a pity that just when we were close to getting married, that's when you left," Dave emotionally shared, tears flowing freely.

"Forgive me if I didn't do anything. I know it's painful for you to die without justice, but don't worry; I promise to do everything to give you the justice you deserve," he continued, the tears he had been holding back finally falling down.

"I forgive you, Dave. I understand."

Dave was taken aback as Aunt Susan suddenly spoke behind him. He quickly turned towards her, and she gently motioned for him to remain seated.

"Don't get up, Dave. We're leaving as well. We only brought flowers for her because I don't want her to feel upset with us for not visiting her often at the cemetery," Aunt Susan said.

"Is that so?" Dave responded.

Dave picked up the bouquet and the food, wiping the tears from his eyes that he had been holding back earlier.

"Okay, we're leaving," Aunt Susan began to say as Josephine, my cousin, suddenly intervened.

"Mom, you go ahead. I want to stay here with Dave for a while," Josephine chimed in with her charming voice.

"But let Dave be alone for now. Dave," Aunt Susan said, contemplating standing up, but she held back.

"Don't get up, Dave. We have to go; we brought flowers and food for her. I don't want her to be upset with us because we haven't been visiting here often at the cemetery," Aunt Susan reiterated.

"Alright, I will," Josephine assumed her seat next to Dave.

"I didn't expect it; I just can't help but feel irritated because I couldn't stop myself from getting annoyed," Josephine said, reaching out to hold Dave's hand.

"Actually, I want to say sorry; it's just that I couldn't help my frustration," Josephine expressed apologetically.

"What do you mean?" Dave inquired.

"I'm just annoyed with her because she didn't even get out of her comfort zone before she passed away. She was too good and kind, and that's why she left so soon. It's a shame because we weren't able to bond before she left," Josephine lamented, her face showing signs of frustration.

"She was not like you, and you two are very different. I know that wherever she is now, she is happy and at peace," Dave reassured.

"Do you mean I'm a bad person?" Josephine retorted.

"That's not what I mean," Dave clarified.

"You're saying I'm a loose woman," Josephine accused.

"That's not what I mean," Dave responded.

"You're saying you're just using me as a distraction," Josephine snapped.

"Your misunderstanding," Dave sighed.

"Here you go again," Josephine shook her head.

Dave reached out to hold her, a gesture they usually did when they argued.

"What is it now? Are we going to argue in front of Ellaine's grave? Do we need to show our quarrels to her? Take care, lest she haunts us for our bickering," Dave reasoned.

"Well, you might be the reason I'm comforted. Since she was gone, you have always been my anchor whenever I feel lonely and think about her," Josephine admitted.

"That's why I'm here. It's sad that you're just using me as a stopgap," Dave proclaimed humorously.

"Hay, I'm annoyed. I'm always the shoulder you lean on whenever you're sad and missing her," Josephine responded.

"That's a means of support, not merely as a distraction," Dave whispered in comfort.

"I don't know about you," Josephine quipped, a bit annoyed.

"Okay, let's go home and I'll take you. We need to go," Dave suggested, ignoring her statement.

"I still don't want to go home. Let's have a cup of coffee first," Josephine persisted.

"We can't. I have a business meeting to attend. I just came here for Ellaine briefly, so let's go," Dave reasoned, as they walked out of the cemetery.