Author's Note: I knew this was where this one would end up as soon as I saw the line, but it was difficult to write all the same.
I'm Sorry for Your Loss
"I'm sorry."
Nancy looked up, frowning. She'd almost forgotten that she had company here for a change. She didn't know how long she'd stood, staring at the headstone, not really able to talk or say anything despite the flowers she'd set in front of it. She was used to coming alone. Her father did his grieving and remembering on his own. They came together for certain occasions, but this wasn't one of them. She'd come without a special date to mark, just needing to remember after a bad case.
Had she invited Frank or had he invited himself? She wasn't sure, but she didn't mind, either. She didn't know that she really wanted to be alone right now.
"I don't know what I'd do if we lost Mom," Frank admitted, shaking his head. "I don't like thinking about it. I... I wish there was something I could do for you, but I know there isn't."
"You're here," she said, reaching over to take his hand. "That helps... more than you know."