Not Revenge

“Hello?”  Mrs. O’Malley’s husband was the sheriff and she was used to getting phone calls at any hour.  Sally could barely form the words, but somehow made herself understood. Mrs. O’Malley said she and the sheriff would come right away.  “I’ll call her aunt Hilda from the Braden’s,” she said as she and Sheriff O’Malley hurriedly dressed.

When Sally answered the door, she tried to ask them in but could only whisper.  It wasn’t until Sarah O’Malley took her in her arms that she was able to cry.  As she held her and spoke softly, Sally cried to the depths of her soul.  Her grief washing over her as did the full realization of her mother’s death. 

Henry O’Malley found Jim sitting in a chair next to Rebecca’s bed, just staring into space.  He went over to him and put his hand on his shoulder.  “I’m sorry, Jim. Sorry for you and for Sally, but happy for Rebecca.  She’s gone to her eternal reward.”  Jim finally stood up and looking at him said, “Henry, will you call the funeral home, please?”  “I sure will, Jim.  Why don’t you come downstairs with me now.”

They sat in the front room waiting for the undertaker.  Sheriff O’Malley asked Jim about any other relatives who would need to be notified.  Jim told him there weren’t any.  When they saw the hearse drive up, Mrs. O’Malley motioned to Sally to come up with her.  “Let’s go say goodbye,” she told her.  As Sally knelt and embraced her mother, she sobbed quietly.  “Goodbye, Mommy, I love you.  I’ll never forget you.”  She didn’t want to let go when Mrs. O’Malley said, “Honey, they’re here.  Could we please go to the kitchen? I would like a drink of water.”  She didn’t want Sally to have to watch her mother’s body being taken away.