Family or not that is the question…
The snow covered every inch of the ground while the three young men stared at the coffin as it was lowered into the newly dug grave. Tears rolled down their eyes as they said their final farewell to not just the most wonderful woman in the world but their mother. I stood towards the back of the congregation and watched the four young men say their goodbyes… they must be her sons, my cousins. Since my Mother had died and my father and I had moved back to England we hadn't kept in touch with Aunt Evelyn. In fact id never really known her, we'd left Detroit when I was just three, after my mother, Evelyn's sister, had been killed in cross fire of rival gangs. I didn't know whether I should go up and introduce myself or not. On the one hand these men were my family and they'd just lost their mother… on the other hand, I didn't know them and they might feel I was interfering. Before I plucked up the courage it was too late and they had already left.
"Hello dear… I don't believe we've met. How did you know Miss Evelyn?" An older woman with long grey hair wearing a flower power dress took my hand and asked me as I left the graveyard. I looked down to the floor. I wasn't sure whether things had ended badly and so not sure whether to tell her who I was but from the smile on her face I could tell she was someone I could trust.
"Well actually I'm Evelyn's Nie…"
"I can't believe I didn't see it. Your Megan's daughter aren't you? So terrible… what happened to your mother. How is your father?"
"Well he didn't really want me coming back to Detroit. Says that Evelyn's death was her fault for living in Detroit and that I should stay in England where it's safe. I guess he's still not over mum's death."
She looked at me sympathetically with love and understanding in her azure eyes suddenly she pulled me into an almost bear hug.
"I don't suppose he ever will be. I doubt your father talks about your mother much but they were childhood sweethearts and the loss of her changed him. He used to be a fun loving, trouble making boy, with a smile that reached his green eyes that would make even the harshest heart melt." Tears then came to her eyes as she stroked my hand.
"Such a waste of life…. Camille!" A young dark woman walked towards us with tears down her perfectly made face with two adorable little girls holding her hands. She smiled at me with acceptance and asked me how it was I knew Evelyn.
Looking towards the ground I barely made a sound telling her who I was. She smiled the biggest smile I had ever seen and took me into a loving hug telling her daughters Daniela and Amelia that I was their cousin Alicia and that I hadn't known Evelyn very well so it was up to them to tell me all about her. They did as their mother said and each took a hand telling me all about their grandma Evie and how wonderful and loving she had been.
"Are you coming to the wake? I'm sure my husband and his brothers would love to meet some family." I wasn't sure if I wanted to meet them. I mean sure they were family but I didn't know them and I didn't want them to feel like I was trying to muscle in on their grief. But from the smile Camille was giving me she knew they would like to meet me so I agreed.