Things have been really quiet in the Great Valley; Edna's death was hard on the herd. However, one individual has been hit the hardest; her now widowed mate Otto. The old longneck stared into the watering hole at the Thundering Falls; he didn't even see Topsy come up to greet him.
"Still bummed about Edna's death?" Topsy asked.
Otto nodded and closed his eyes.
"I know how you feel; you're looking at a guy who's outlived two wives; my first wife Elaine died when Cera was just a little girl; and then, Tria died while Cera was expecting some hatchlings," Topsy explained.
Otto looked over at Topsy.
"How did you handle your wive's deaths?" Otto wondered.
"After Elaine's death; I stopped eating and drinking for two weeks straight; in fact; Mr. Thicknose shared some of the tragedies of his past to get me out of my funk; and when Tria died, I was devastated; Kenneth did stay behind to comfort me; my own father never did that for me," Topsy explained.
"You mean, your father never offered you a shoulder to cry on?" Otto asked.
"Are you kidding? "Emotions are for females" he would say," Topsy sneered.
Otto sighed.
"I sure would hate for my dad to be like that," Otto stated.
Topsy nodded.
By the end of the day, the preparations for Edna's funeral have been finished. They all stood at a grave site where a few other of the herd members have been laid to rest. The hole was already made and Edna's body was in there and covered with leaves. Once everyone got a chance to say a few words, the hole was filled up with dirt; and Otto decorated the dirt with some purple flowers. He smiled sadly; his wife may have been in pain; but, she was now at peace. Topsy walked up to the grieving longneck.
"Otto; I just want to let you know; I'm sure that Edna has met up with the deceased members of this herd; and anyone of her family that has died ages ago," Topsy said.
Just then, Otto wrapped his neck around Topsy. The threehorn wasn't expecting Otto to embrace him; but, he felt good about what he said to him. Soon enough, Otto faced him again.
"I know you and Edna didn't get along very well; but, I appreciate what you said; thank you," Otto explained.
Topsy smiled at the thought of comforting a good friend.