Jack pulled the car to a stop outside the florists and Casey opted to stay inside the car rather than call in with him. "Hay fever," she had muttered as an explanation as he climbed out and headed into the small old fashioned looking store. As he walked through the green painted doorframe he thought the place had been styled to look old, but then he saw the elderly man behind the counter and the equally wrinkled woman getting on at him as she patted his apron down and straightened the old bow tie which sat over it. He watched the two playfully argue before looking away slightly saddened by the sight of a couple who had been able to grow old together.
He wondered around the small shop for a moment before grabbing a small bunch of some healthy looking sunflowers. He knew nothing about flowers so he was pleased to see he at least knew the name of these. He sauntered up to the counter and smiled at the old lady as she pushed her husband out of the way to serve him, claiming him to be in her way. Jack couldn't help but let out a small chuckle.
"Are these for the special lady son?" Asked the old man as he waited to retake his seat behind the dusty counter. His voice was deep and had the sound that one could only describe as 'oldness.'
Jack smiled shyly before giving a little nod of his head. It wasn't the truth but he didn't want to tell the stranger what he was really doing. Still he didn't take offence at the old mans questioning, he was just being friendly.
They got to the graveyard in no time and were soon stood by the old weathered stone. Jack let Casey sort the flowers out, which she did so grudgingly but he could see she enjoyed it really. They were both quiet as they watched the spot on the ground. He'd only been gone a few years but the air still seemed still here, as though he would hear whatever they may say about him.
Susan was buried in a different cemetery. When Bill had died 'Gardens Lane' was full up and had no more free plots. Jack and Carol had discussed the burial of there father with great care. They could have allowed his coffin to be placed in there mothers grave, but that didn't seem right. Yes they had had a happy marriage right up until her death, but with the deadly results of the attack they had been forced to burry an empty coffin. Not much had been collected of their mothers remains but they still had a funeral, she didn't believe in cremation, and as sick as it was, she had already been cremated once. Despite there being no body at her plot it was still a special place where they went to pay there respects, but neither of them were comfortable with the thought of putting Bill in there, when technically Susan wasn't there.
After a while Casey began to fidget. She, like Jack, didn't feel the need to fill the silence but at the same time she couldn't stand there doing nothing but watching the tablet. She hadn't known her grandfather too well as they moved away while she as young and he had died before they returned. Still she knew he was important to Jack and her mother and made sure to treat him with respectful thoughts whenever he drifted through her mind. Jack noticed her unease and after making her wait another five minutes they left, again in silence. As Casey trudged up the cobbled path Jack turned and patted the cold stone gently twice, before turning to follow his niece back to the car.
Casey was ready to go after an hour or two with Kim, downloading music he didn't care to listen to. Jack drove her home rather than letting her walk, it was getting dark out after all.
Casey clamoured out the car and through the door as Jack slowly followed behind her, taking his time to lock the door. He wasn't going to bother stopping by but Carol would be home from work so it wouldn't hurt to see if she had any ideas on what they could do on the anniversary.
He closed the oak door behind himself as he shrugged off his jacket from the heat and instantly herd noise. Lots of noise. Shouting and crying. He tensed for a moment as he tried to understand what was happening, but then he realised that it was Carol and Mark; clearly disagreeing over something.
He stood motionless for a moment as he pulled his jacket back on, should he go and pretend he didn't hear them? No, Casey knew he was coming inside. He decided the best course of action would be to wait outside until the noise stopped, give them time to cool off before he came in. But then he herd Marks shouting get louder and he didn't like what he was hearing. He couldn't just walk away now.