Eileen Slovak

Chapter Twelve: Fainting at a Funeral

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and locales are products of the author’s imagination. They are used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is coincidental. Copyright © 2024 by Eileen Slovak.

Scarlet

I thought I was prepared for the moment when Sean’s death became a stark reality. But when my eyes fixate on the large mahogany box, I start to shiver uncontrollably. The mass is long, the room suffocating. As the eulogy progresses, I become increasingly nauseous, woozy. It occurs to me that I’ve barely eaten all day.

The sound of the priest’s voice is suddenly far away. I recall reciting the Lord’s Prayer right before a shadowy wave passed over my eyes. The last thing I remember is experiencing the distinct feeling of falling.

A strong pair of hands helps me up. He steadies my shoulders and leads me away from the church to a bench outside. Someone hands me a bottle of water. When I’m finally able to focus and look up, I’m alone.