She left without another word, slamming the door behind her.
Two months later, Grace passed away due to natural causes.
The day of her funeral was cold, gray, and filled with a heavy sense of mourning. It mirrored exactly how Mike felt inside.
He stood near the back of the church, his hands shoved deep into his pockets as mourners filled the pews.
He watched as the crowd shuffled in. Everyone was there – neighbors, old friends, and members of the church she had loved so dearly.
Mike felt like an outsider, as if he were crashing a private gathering. He scarcely glanced at the casket as he walked by.
“She loved you, you know,” an older woman said gently, placing a hand on his arm.
Mike turned to look at her, but words failed him.
During the service, the priest spoke about Grace’s unwavering dedication to the church, her strong faith, and her unconditional love for her family, even in the face of difficulties.
Mike shifted uneasily in his seat as he began to realize the message the universe was trying to convey.
She loved you even when it was tough.
When the casket was lowered into the ground, Mike felt a tight knot form in his stomach. He hadn’t spoken to her in months before she died, and now, it was too late.
“I should’ve just gone to church,” he muttered to himself as the mourners started to disperse.
Kaila overheard him and gently squeezed his arm. “She knew you loved her, Mike. She knew.”
But as Mike stared at the patch of earth where his grandmother now lay, all he could think about was how he had let her down when it mattered most.