Melinda breathed a sigh of relief and watched the countryside pass by, happy to once again be behind the wheel of something after nearly a week, even if it was a hearse the rest of the town thought was carrying her body.

“What did you guys think of my speech and obituary?” She asked.

“Well, I guess I don’t have to worry about my beautiful, sainted, loving, and borderline goddess-like mother having self-esteem issues,” Miles playfully smirked.

“Hey, I never used the word goddess,” Melinda laughed, playfully nudging Miles.

“Melessa, did you really have to immoralize the cover story of me being your father?” Kai asked.

“I said you were like my father, not WERE my father. There’s a distinct difference.”

“You are nearly a millenia my elder, and “changed my diapers” as you so eloquently worded it not long ago.”

“You know as well I do you wouldn’t pass for my son to anyone not in on the family secret,” Melinda teased.

“I thought it was kind of funny,” Miles chuckled.

“Defending your mother, I see,” Kai faked a hurt look and playfully ruffled the fur on Miles’ head, eliciting a louder giggle out of the kit.

“You know I love you anyway, Uncle Kai,” Miles laughed, “Even if most of the town thinks you’re old enough to be my grandpa now.”

“Well, I mean, he technically is. Old enough to be a lot of you guys grandpa, or great-grandpa, or great-great-grandpa…” Melinda though for a moment, “Really though, I don’t have much room to talk since I’m old enough to be someone’s ancient ancestor.”

“I guess that means old people don’t have to be boring,” Miles interjected.

:”Hey, you!” Melinda reached out and tickled one of his ears.
“Mom!” Miles laughed, “You guys have me trapped in the middle and that isn’t very fair.”

“”That’s the entire point,” she chuckled.

“I love you both, even if you’re old people and like picking on me,” Miles laughed.

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Melinda wiped the sweat from her forehead and looked at the casket, now sitting safely on the lowering device.

“We only dropped her twice this time, ah’d say that’s an improvement.” Melinda smiled.

“Sorry, again,” Vector sniffed.

“Don’t beat yourself up, hon,’ Melinda put a hand on his shoulder, “Y’all did fine compared to mah great auntie Martha’s funeral where she flew out the back of the hearse while we did 80 down the highway.”

“That sounds horrible,” Espio said.

“We all must have driven for miles before we realized and went back for her, ah just thank the lord we thought to nail her coffin shut so we wouldn’t repeat would happened to cousin Leonard,” Melinda sighed, “Those darn feral coons.”

She stifled a giggle as she noticed the strange looks both Miles and Kai were giving her

“Oh God…” Espio gave her a look of pure horror.

“Y’all know, things happen and we just keep on truckin’,” Melinda smiled, “That’s life.”

Melinda turned around to see the look of confusion on John’s face and gave him a smile as she leaned down and nudged Miles out of his shock.

“I don’t know if I even want to know,” Miles said, following her to their seats.

“Leonard?” Kai mumbled as he followed.

“Well, Preacher? Ready to give her one last goodbye so she can rest?” Melinda asked as she sat down.

“Right,” John cleared his throat, “As we lay Melinda to rest, I want to once again remind you all that this is not the final goodbye, but instead simply time to bid her farewell until we all see her again in heaven. So now we play one last song and commit her body to the earth from where it came, just as her soul has been committed to heaven.”

John clicked play on a small boombox and bagpipes filled the air with the sound of Amazing Grace.

The cemetery was nearly silent save for the music and Vector’s renewed sobbing. Melinda put her arms around both Cream and Miles and pulled them close.

“Are you two both okay,” She quietly whispered.

“I’ll be okay,” Miles whispered back

“This song is really pretty,” Cream sniffed.

Melinda looked up as Dan began to turn the crank to lower the casket into the vault, cringing when something snapped and it hit the concrete below with a thud that caused him to jump in shock.

The music faded out and John cleared his throat yet again, “Once again, I’d like to say I’m deeply sorry for your loss and I hope I’ve been able to bring you all some comfort and give you something to think about when you all go home tonight, God bless.”

A sigh of relief escaped Melinda and she relaxed, knowing it was over and she could go home with Miles and unwind soon. As she leaned forward to stand up her eyes fell on the white lilies laying around the grave with the rest of the flowers and found herself wondering about the girl again as she stood up.

She smiled and walked over to the flowers, gently pulling out a handful and admiring them before walking over to Cream.

“Who do think brought them?” Cream asked.

“Ah’m not shure, your auntie may have had fans just like Miles,” Melinda carefully leaned down and tucked one of the flowers behind Cream’s ear.

“It’s really pretty, think you,” Cream giggled.

“You’re welcome, honey,” Melinda whispered in her ear

Before standing back up, she took another flower from the small bunch and offered it to Miles, who gave a small smile and took it.

“Thanks,” He whispered.

“How’d y’all like it if we rounded everyone up and got somethin’ to eat?” Melinda asked.

Both kids nodded and Melinda smiled, glad things could finally start getting back to normal.