Page 5 of A Wild Darkness

“No, I got it.”

I put the bouquet in the middle of the large oak table. After a quick scan of the room to make sure the windows are open and the space feels calm and inviting, I prepare to invite the family inside.

When I open the front door, the beautiful, crisp morning air hits my cheeks. My eyes find the two cars parked right up front, and when I contact the wife, Shelly, she smiles and steps out of the driver’s side.

“Sorry, I’m here early.” Shelly’s eyes are swollen, and the dark circles under them look like ominous clouds, painting a picture of the toll grief will take on a person. “I haven’t been sleeping well since we lost Keith. My days and nights have become jumbled.”

I return a warm smile and extend my arm to shake her hand. “Please don’t apologize. Nevermore is here to serve you during this difficult time.”

“It’s nice to formally meet you, Stevie.”

“You too.”

She follows close behind me as I take her down the hall.

“If you’ll follow me, we can begin discussing the arrangements for your beloved Keith.”

“Are these sketches of headstones?” she asks, glancing at the frames on the wall.

I approach her side. “They are.”

“They’re beautiful.”

“Thank you. I like to give one to each of the families when the services are complete. I also like to keep a copy for myself as a memory of the families I’ve worked with.”

Shelly’s head turns to me. “You make them?”

I nod proudly. “Mm-hmm. I love grave rubbing.Turning these grave markers into pieces of art is just a small gesture to show I care.”

The woman’s eyes fill with tears. “My friend spoke highly of you, Stevie. Thank you for offering to take care of Keith for us.”

My heart swells. To bring light to someone’s life during an incredibly dark time gives me purpose and makes me believe I’m part of something bigger than simply myself.

And it’s the only way I know how to deal with the death of my mother.

“It’s my honor.” I gesture behind her toward the arrangement room.

“These are beautiful,” she compliments the roses as she sits down in the chair at the end of the table.

I grab Keith’s file from the cabinet, then take the seat next to her. “They’re for you to take home after our meeting today.”

She plucks a tissue from the black box next to the flowers and gently dabs both eyes. “Thank you.”

I thumb through the paperwork and files, pulling out the documents that pertain to Keith’s after-death care and services. “As you know, Keith was prepared and extremely organized. He left very little for your family to decide.”

She chuckles through her pain. “He was. When I sent you his file last week, I knew we wouldn’t have much to discuss.”

“Yes. It makes things easier,” I offer. “And less for you to worry about during this difficult time.”

Shelly’s gaze rests on the crumpled-up tissue in her lap. “I’m sure it’s hard for you to go through this every day. Like being drained all the time.”

I play with the corner of the paper, as this is a common conversation with clients. They genuinely wonder how anyone could work in an industry like this—so full of death and sadness. But this life chose me. Not the other way around.

“Yeah, it definitely has its moments,” I admit. “But it’s also extremely rewarding, too.”

Her eyelashes flutter up to mine. “I heard your dad is the lieutenant of homicide.”

“Yes, he is, but he’s retired now.”