Amy carries Connie from the bathroom to the bedroom, and get her dressed. Sheldon stands in front of the closet, only wearing his underpants and socks. He picks out a shirt, and sighs.
Sheldon: Do you know why black is the color of mourning? It dates back to the Roman Empire. Families of the deceased wore a dark colored toga. Throughout the medieval times women in England were supposed to wear black caps and veils after their husband's passing. Widowers mourned for three to six months, but it wouldn't make a difference as their everyday suit was black or in a dark color anyway.
Amy: Sheldon, people do not only mourn about their spouses passing, and there is certainly no time limit.
Sheldon hugs Amy: Do never die, Amy.
Connie lies on the diaper changing table. Amy turns around and hugs Sheldon.
Amy: Don't think about it. I am not going anywhere.
They kiss and Sheldon smiles. Amy smacks his bottom and giggles. Sheldon turns around.
Sheldon: Do you want to be punished for that?
Amy chuckles: Oh, some more spanks for the bad girl?
They kiss again, as Stephen walks in.
Stephen: Mommy, the pants don't fit. And I don't like the tie.
Amy: You look very handsome, Stephie. Come, let me help you with that tie.
He walks over and Amy fixes his tie and helps Stephen to get into his pants.
Sheldon: I should better get mine. You know, as a kid I used to wear ties. I loved the equal shape of it. Felt like both sides were balanced out.
Stephen: I think they look weird and are so tight, like they want to keep me from breathing.
Amy: I can loosen them a bit for you. You look very handsome.
Mary walks in.
Mary: Are you ready? We have to go in five minutes.
Amy: Could you carry Connie into the car? This is her bag. I hope I haven't forgotten anything.
Mary: I will take everything. Come here, sweetie.
Amy: Thank you. We will be there in a few minutes.
Amy hands Connie and her bag to Mary. Mary takes Connie and leave. Stephen follows her.
Stephen: I'm already ready.
Mary: That is good, Stephie.
Sheldon puts on his pants while Amy gets her purse.
Sheldon: This is the last time I will see her.
Amy: You will always see her in your memory, but I get that you are sad.
She hugs and kisses him.
Amy: Let's go.
They get into the car and Mary drives to the funeral. People are expressing their condolences. They walk closer to the grave. Pastor Jeff starts the sermon.
Pastor: Connie Tucker was an outstanding woman with a kind heart. She wasn't always easy, and not faithful all the time, but she attended church with her family every Sunday. She didn't lose track even after her husband died. Now she can rest by his side until eternity. Dear Lord, please take care of her. Welcome her to heaven. Let's pray for her in silence.
After a while, the people say: Amen.
Mary nods and walks over to the pastor. She sighs.
Mary: Let me say a few words about my mother. Things weren't always easy with her, but what mother is? She told me when I was wrong. She questioned things I did, and wasn't always agreeing with me. However, she was also one of the kindest and wisest people I knew. I could come to her at any time and talk. She might not understood me often, but she listened. Somehow, the older I got, the faster the days seem to rush by. I wish I could still have her here, talk to her one more time. I think I haven't told her often enough how much I loved her. We argued a lot in the past weeks. She didn't want me to mother her, but I was just taking care of her. She said: 'I know you miss him and caring about him, but I am not him.' I thought she talked about son Sheldon, but she talked about my husband George. He died a long time ago, and I thought I stopped missing him, I know he is with God, and they watch over me, but sometimes I would love to hear his voice again or feel his hug.
She sniffs and wipes away a tear with a tissue.
Mary: I cannot stop thinking of George and my mother sitting next to Jesus now. I miss the times when we were all having dinner together. He would be proud of the amazing adults our kids had become.
She points to Sheldon and Amy, as well as Georgie and Missy standing next to them. They all smile.
Mary: George died and Sheldon left, and then Georgie and suddenly the women were on their own. It was different. I think I only tried to continue living my life, not thinking about how much I missed my men. Mother was there for me. She cared. When my world shattered, she was the light God send me. He blessed her with a long, full-filling life. I know she is still with me, still with us, but it is hard, because it's different now. I want to thank her for everything she did.
Missy walks over and hugs her mother.
Missy: I loved Meemaw. She was fun, always said was on her mind. She was cool. She could keep a secret, and I had lots of them. There were so many things I simply could not share with my parents, or my brothers. I often wished for a sister. I had to be tough, and I learned from the best. I wish I could have one more drink with her, get one more advice.
Georgie walks over to her.
Georgie: Well, if you need advice, I am sure Sheldon as plenty for us.
Sheldon: Yes, like don't drink alcohol anymore.
Missy: Only because you don't like it, it's supposed to be bad?
Sheldon: It's bad because too much of it destroys your brain cells.
Georgie: How would we know? We don't have any, have we? You said that, and not only once. Anyway, let me say a few things about Meemaw. I remember when I worked for her boyfriend and he fired me, and she still stood by my side. We egged his store and it was amazing. Who has such a memory of their grandma? This is how awesome she was. She wasn't the lame old lady, she was fun. She was like the third parent and after Dad died was the support Ma needed. Especially after Sheldon left as well, who for some reason, both liked.
Sheldon: You will never understand that, Georgie, but I am very lovable.
Amy smiles all over her face.
Amy: Yes.
She whispers to him: Say something as well, or you will regret it.
Sheldon: I have prepared something.
He walks next to Georgie, looking at her casket. He sighs.
Sheldon: I grew up in a world where everyone was different. No matter what I said or did, people questioned it. They have puzzled me, so I related more to physics as that is relatable and comprehensible. There are certain pattern to find, and then revealing all the answers to everything in the universe. However, dealing with situations like this, are not in physics books. Meemaw was deciphering what other people around me said. She translated human interaction for me, taught me how to be around people. It hasn't always been easy, but somehow we spoke the same language. She understood me. I have learned so much from her that, because of my eidetic memory, I will never forget. She believed in myself even when I was struggling.
He looks down to the ground.
Sheldon: I never believed in God, but somehow I do believe she is at a better place and no longer in pain. I love you, Meemaw but I won't miss you because you are still here with us somehow.
He walks away and over to Amy who hugs him.
Amy: That was so sweet, Sheldon. She'd be proud of you.
Sheldon: I think of her smiling. It's time to move on.
Pastor: We will now let her slowly down into the ground. May she Rest In Peace. Let's pray one more time in silence.
The casket slowly moves deeper into the ground. One by one people who attended the ceremony throw a shovel of soil onto the casket. When it is Sheldon's turn, he looks down, reaches the shovel and before he lets the soil fall softly on the ground, he says.
Sheldon: I will always love you, Meemaw. See, you make me cry.
He sniffs, puts the shovel back and takes Connie from Amy. Amy walks with Stephen to the grave and shovels a bit soil onto the casket, and Stephen too. They go back to Sheldon.
Mary: Sheldon.
Sheldon turns around and looks at his mother.
Mary: Don't make the same mistake I did when I lost your father. Talk about your Meemaw with your wife, your kids, with me, your sister or your brother. Don't keep your feelings to yourself. It is okay to feel. You know that, don't you?
Sheldon: Yes I know.
Mary: You don't have to be strong, or think crying is a weakness and therefore you have to do it when your kids are in bed and you lie in the bed and feel no one is next to you.
She sighs and cries. Sheldon hugs her.
Sheldon: I love you, Mom. You are not alone.
Mary smiles.
Sheldon: Through you, and this, she is still here. Thank you for this, Shelly. I love you.
Missy and Georgie hug their mother as well.
Mary: Thank you for coming. It feels good to see you.
Missy: Of course. We love Meemaw. So sad that she is gone now.
Georgie: Yeah, she was a great woman. If you need anything, just call me. Okay?
Mary: Thank you.
Missy: I will get the kids and drive to your house. I will be there in a few minutes.
Mary: Alright. Drive safely, sweetie.
Missy: I will.
She kisses her mother on her cheek and then go to her kids.
Georgie: I will make sure, she will find them all. See you later.
Mary nods. He pats her on the shoulder and follows Missy.
Mary looks at the grave, the casket no longer visible. She lays down a flower and smiles.
Mary: Goodbye mother. Be nice to God. I cannot watch you here any longer, but I don't want him to be mad at me when I will join you up there. And say hi to George.
Amy: Mary. I think it's time to go.
Mary: I don't want to talk to other people or hear how sorry they are. It is nice but... Always the same conversations over and over again. But as a good Christian I have to accept their condolences.
Amy: If you need another moment, take your time, Mary. I cannot even imagine how you must feel. People will understand and give you all the time you need to mourn.
Mary: It is weird to leave her here, and know that I will be alone soon. I took care of her all these past years. You will soon go back to LA, Missy and Georgie will go home as well, ...
She cries and Amy hugs her.
Amy: We can stay a little longer. Don't worry about that now. As Sheldon said, you are not alone.
Mary: I honestly never thought Sheldon would ever be in a relationship. I will never forget the first time I met you. I knew how much Sheldon loved you the way he talked. And I never understood why he got all those many cats. I still wonder what happened to them.
Amy: Sheldon found them all new owners.
Mary: That's wonderful. You bring out the best in my son. I'm grateful that God sent you to my my Shelly.
Amy blushes.
Sheldon: What are you talking about?
Amy: We love cats. But don't get some.
Sheldon: Why would I want to have cats?
Amy: We will get a bird. That would be funnier.
She smiles and Sheldon frowns at her.
Sheldon: Are you trying to mock me?
Amy: I try to distract you and it seems to be working.
She kisses him.
Amy: What do you think now?
Sheldon: Still about cats. And birds. No to birds.
Amy: What about me dressed as cat? Maybe as soft kitty.
Amy pauses for a moment, then continue: That's why cats comfort you.
Amy mumbles to herself: Why have I never noticed this before?
Amy: I will get dressed as soft kitty tonight and I know you want to make me purrrrrr.
Sheldon smiles. He carries Connie who fell asleep on his shoulder and takes Stephen's hand to walk to the car.
Mary to Sheldon: You could not have made a better choice with her.
Sheldon: I know. I am glad to be the only genius in this world to see how precious and stunningly beautiful she is. Nobody will ever take her away from me.
They get into the car and drive home.
Thank you so much for reading. I hope you like it. I would love to read your reviews :)
Xo Sanny