Patches of white still remained scattered about in the cemetery, although it had not snowed for several days. According to Calvin, that had been odd. In their part of their country, snowfall during the winter months was sporadic. Even when it did come in large quantities, increases in temperatures were sure to follow in the next day or two. Jane didn't particularly care; it gave the field a colorful quality.

Trudging from row to row, her green eyes carefully scanned each gravesite. She knew this was the right graveyard, thanks to Calvin mentioning it once or twice, but he had never taken her there before. She had requested the visit once before, but her master had gently shut down the idea. The trial was in full swing, and he had only said something about needing closure before he could visit her again. Jane loved him very much, and nothing so trivial could change that. However, she didn't quite see the logic in that. Maybe customs on this world were different; it had only been a little over a month since she and Calvin first made love in the apartment shower. Then again, it could be that it was his way of grieving. She had been taken away from him by someone who still fervently denied any wrongdoing. How would she react if, Demon Lord forbid, Calvin was murdered?

Whatever the case was, she had chosen to make the trip herself. The idea had been floating around in her head for a few weeks, and although she thought it a little silly, she couldn't shake the feeling that it was simply the right thing to do.

At last, after nearing the back right corner, she came across a pair of names that she recognized. A couple's gravestone, newly erect and neatly-polished, stood before her. On the left was James L. Becker, born in 1973. Calvin never spoke of his father, never even mentioned if he was still alive, but the lack of a second date indicated that he was. On the right? That was the name she had come to see.

Francine Rudolph Becker was etched on her side of the grave. Born on May 9th, 1974. Tragically departed this world on July 17th, 2021. A Loving Mother and Wife. Matthew 5:8.

Jane did not know what the last bit referenced, but it mattered little. She sat before the gray stone, crossed her legs, and. . . found herself unable to say anything.

"H-hey," she finally stuttered. "How are you today, Mrs. Becker?"

It was deathly quiet, which made the atmosphere all the more awkward. Despite the melancholic environment around her, Jane managed to smile.

"I hope you're doing well," she stated, drawing a dark pink rose out from her sweater sleeve. She held it tightly in her paw, staring first at the colorful bud, then at the drab stone.

"I don't know if you know who I am," Jane admitted. "I hear heaven's a pretty fun place, but you seem like the kind of person to look down and check up on your family every now and then. I'm Jane, if you don't recognize me. I'm Calvin's girlfriend."

She sat still and quiet for a moment, almost as if she was expecting a response from the tombstone. What would his mom say in a situation like this? Jane did not know. Still, when the gray slab obviously provided no answer, she decided to continue.

"I love your son with all my heart. My master is a good master. He took me in out of the kindness of his own heart. He could've easily ignored me when he saw me freezing outside that Crown Burger, but he didn't. I knew I wanted to marry him that very first night together. He's the best master in the whole world!"

Caught up in praising the man of her dreams, Jane almost forgot the reason she came here for. Blushing, she shook her head and focused on what mattered. "I'm sorry, I just got a bit off topic there! Anyway, I want you to know that he still thinks about you a lot. Your passing really did a number on him emotionally. Did you know he fell in with a bad crowd? Yeah! From the way he talks about it, they were a bunch of angry anti-mamono people. That's not the Calvin I've come to know, though. He's put that aspect of himself behind him. Well, uh, mostly. Truth be told, he's still got issues with hellhounds."

It was the strangest thing. Despite coming alone to essentially talk with a dead woman, Jane felt something change in the atmosphere around them. It seemed to her like disappointment.

"I know, I know!" Jane agreed. Even if it was just her overactive imagination, she wanted to roll with the idea that Francine was actually listening. "But don't worry; he knows it's wrong and is trying to work through that. He's been nothing but kind to me, and I want to return the favor for the rest of my life!" Jane promised. "He's not the hateful person that he says he was after you died. One day, I'll bring the old Calvin back forever! Those wounds will be healed! I'll make you proud, Mrs. Becker! That's a doggone promise!"

She reached out and gently caressed the gravestone, which relieved her of her excitement for the time being. Her smile faded as she adopted a more forlorn expression.

"Sometimes I feel guilty," she admitted. "Would I have had the opportunity to meet Calvin if you hadn't passed? Would he have fallen in love with another mamono if you had never crossed paths with that hellhound? Sometimes, I think I owe my entire love life to the fact that you passed on when you did. If it's true, I'm sorry. I never wanted any pain to come to anyone just to find a husband. I know it's not exactly my fault, but I can't help but think that I somehow ripped him away from you. That isn't something I'd want to do to someone like yourself."

Her gaze turned downward, at the rose she was idly twirling in her paw. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she did her best to keep them from spilling. It was funny, crying over the death of someone she did not know, but she guessed it was just how she was.

"Life is so unfair sometimes," she whispered, more to herself than to the grave. "I wish I got to know you, Mrs. Becker. I wish I could have done something to spare your family of all this pain. I wish I could just make Calvin believe he's as wonderful and special as we both know he is. I can't, though. I'm just a little kobold, and that's all I'll ever be."

She stood. After a moment spent wiping her teary eyes, she placed the pink rose on top of the gravestone.

"I guess I just wanted to say thank you," Jane explained awkwardly. "Thank you for making Calvin as he was. Thank you for being a good mother to him for all those years. If my pups look back on me with even half the love that Calvin has for you, then I'd say I did a good job."

She hesitated, once again imagining what the real Francine Becker would say or do right now. Save for the sound of some chirping bird, all was quiet. All was still. She was about to give up and head back home when a strange sensation overtook her. Suddenly, an uncharacteristically warm and gentle wind blew right through her from the direction of the stone. It may have been nothing more than a coincidence, some timely trick of nature, but Jane did not think so. In that moment, she felt a sense of belonging, a sense of understanding.

It was as if the wind had told her that Francine was proud to have a daughter-in-law like her. It was as if the wind had told her that, yes, she was just a little kobold, but that was all she needed to be.

The tears returned. Jane did not resist them this time. Instead, she fell to her knees in front of the grave and began to sob. "Thank you!" she managed through harsh gasps for air. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"