Memory of you

Memory of you
“Good morning, Mrs. Hart,” Detective Calvin greeted as he approached her with a warm expression. Ivy stood up, and they exchanged quick but sincere handshakes.

“Morning, Detective. Thank you so much for taking the time to come by,” Ivy said, her smile genuine and welcoming. “Please, have a seat.” As they all settled down again, she offered, “Can I get you some wine, coffee, or maybe something else?”

“Water would be perfect, thank you,” Calvin replied kindly.

“I'll get that for you,” Kendra chimed in, hurrying off.

“So, without taking up too much of your time, I’d really like to hear about the progress in the investigation. Is there any news?” Ivy gently inquired, her voice filled with hope as the Detective scanned the living room.

“Mrs. Hart,” he began softly, focusing his gaze back on her. “I want to assure you that my team and I are doing everything we can. We cannot ignore the fact that Mr. Nate was intentionally harmed, which led to this tragic loss, but… we have discovered a few pieces of evidence that may lead us somewhere meaningful…” he said, just as Kendra returned with a bottle of water and a glass on a small tray.

“Your daughter?” Calvin asked Ivy, who nodded proudly.

“Yes, this is Kendra, and Justin—my twins,” Ivy explained with a touch of pride in her voice. “That’s Lana, my best friend. She’s been incredibly supportive during this difficult time,” Ivy added warmly as Calvin acknowledged everyone’s presence.

“I see!” said Calvin. 

Calvin poured himself some water and took a sip, a small smile breaking through. “Thanks, Kendra. You truly saved the day,” he said, his tone light yet sincere, making Kendra smile back.

“As I was saying, I’m afraid there are several leads in this case. For now, I cannot disclose any details that might be confidential until we confirm them as evidence,” Calvin continued. He scratched his jaw thoughtfully. “Our forensic team is still working hard to identify the suspects we have on our list.”

“Please, do everything in your power. We’re willing to pay whatever it takes; we just want justice for Nate. We’re all prepared to share our testimonies if needed,” Ivy urged, desperation and hope mingling in her voice.

“That’s not an issue,” Calvin assured her gently.

Meanwhile, Lana had been secretly checking her phone. The Detective noticed her movements carefully. 

“Um, please excuse me. I need to take a work call,” Lana said with a polite grin as she stepped away. Calvin’s eyes followed her until she was no longer in view.

“Mrs. Hart, how much do you trust your family?” Calvin asked with consideration.

“As much as I trust myself. We share a close bond, and my children mean the world to me,” Ivy replied without a moment's hesitation.

“Do you have any suspects in mind?” he asked again, noticing Justin's hopeful gaze at his mother, clearly wishing she would mention Alvin, yet she didn’t.

“I don’t have anyone specific, Detective,” she said as Justin excused himself as well.

“And what about Lana?”

“She’s my best friend. I trust her completely; she would never harm my family or Nate,” Ivy stated firmly, and Calvin nodded, noting her words.

As he prepared to leave, they all turned their attention to the police officer. 

“It was nice to meet you, Kendra. If you see or hear anything at all, please don’t hesitate to reach out,” he said kindly.

“Yes, Detective. Thank you for coming by,” Kendra replied before leaving the room. 

Calvin turned to Ivy, who was lost in thoughts. 

“Would you mind walking me out?” he asked politely, and Ivy nodded with a reassuring smile.

“Of course,” she said, as they walked out of the living room together.

As they stood next to the police car, he took a moment to scan the area before turning back to her.

“I’m afraid we have a serious concern,” Calvin began, his tone becoming more somber.

“What do you mean?” Ivy’s brow furrowed with concern.

“Does your husband have any enemies?” 

“Not that I’m aware of. Nate was such a peaceful man. If anything, I was the wild one in our relationship,” Ivy admitted, crossing her arms protectively around herself, waiting for his response.

“We don’t have a final lead right now, but we’ve noted that he had been communicating with a particular phone number consistently in the days leading up to his death. As I mentioned, we’re still trying to confirm who the suspects may be,” he explained gently.

“Suspects? So it’s not just one person?” A wave of shock washed over Ivy.

“I’m afraid that’s correct,” he confirmed.

“This is unbelievable. But who would want my husband dead anyway? He was calm and had no enemies,” she argued defiantly, her breath hitching as the gravity of the situation sank in. Calvin rubbed his face, sensing the weight of her words.

“You never truly know someone until they are gone, do you?” he asked gently, as Ivy grappled with the weight of his words. “At this point, you must be cautious. If you ever have any doubts about anyone, whether in or outside of your family, please reach out to me. It could make a significant difference,” he continued, handing her his card, which she accepted with a slight tremble. 

“Thank you so much, Detective,” she replied, their handshake conveying a moment of understanding. As he drove away from her home, Justin approached with concern etched on his face.

“Mom, why didn’t you say anything about Alvin?” he asked, his voice tinged with worry.

“Justin, we can't just jump to blame anyone,” she replied, trying to maintain her calm. 

“Alvin isn’t just anyone, Mom,” Justin shot back, frustration seeping through. “Are you scared to talk about him? Is he threatening you?” His concern for her was palpable.

“No, he’s not threatening me. It’s just that... I genuinely don’t believe he’s involved. Yes, Alvin can be reckless, but to such extremes? And remember the Detective’s words—there's no final evidence until proven,” she explained, seeking to reassure him.

“I understand. I just want to protect you, especially since I’ll be heading back to school soon. Part of me wishes I could just stay back or defer my semester until things settle down,” Justin said, compassion shining in his eyes. Ivy felt a warmth spread through her heart in her son’s thoughtfulness.

“You’re incredibly mature for just 20. Thank you, sweetheart, but school must come first. You have a year or two left, and then you’ll take over your father’s business. I’m so proud of you, Justin,” she said, tenderly cupping his face before he pulled her into a heartfelt embrace. Deep down, Justin couldn’t shake the feeling that trouble loomed on the horizon—he had lingering doubts about Alvin and perhaps even Lana.

…

Three days later, the funeral service was nearing its end, yet Ivy found herself struggling to summon the strength to deliver her eulogy. Though she dreaded it, she knew she had to speak.

Ivy fought bravely to keep her tears at bay, aware that this wasn’t the conclusion—something had to change, and the truth needed to come out. As she faced the sorrowful crowd, Justin and Kendra, also dressed in black outfits, offered their silent support.

“I stand here today not to simply mourn my husband,” Ivy began, her voice trembling but determined, ”But to acknowledge the incredible impact he had on so many of our lives. He was a very good man with pure soul. He was a beautiful gift, the epitome of true love.” She paused to steady herself, inhaling deeply before continuing.

“Today, we lay him to rest, a painful reality we must accept. But will we let it end here? No. I will hold back my tears until justice is served for my beloved Nate. He deserved so much more than the short life he was given.” Her words resonated with the crowd as she spoke from her heart, and eventually the priest took over when she finished.

Justin and Kendra enveloped their mother in a warm embrace, each of them feeling the profound weight of their loss.

“Brothers and sisters, with heavy hearts, we come together to say our final goodbyes to our cherished brother, friend, father, and husband, Nate Hart. He was a beacon of kindness… a man whose laughter brought joy to our community…” the priest continued, his voice steady despite the sorrow spreading throughout the service.

Ivy could barely endure the sight of her beloved being lowered to the ground. She watched as the love of her life descended six feet beneath the earth, feeling as if all of their shared joy and memories were buried with him. What remained? Nothing, she thought bleakly.

The gentle sobs of Kendra filled her ears as she clung to her daughter, both struggling to find the right words. 

As the service came to a close, many in attendance, including the priest, offered their heartfelt condolences to Ivy and her children until the crowd finally dispersed. 

“Mom, let’s go home. The driver is waiting,” Justin said softly, breaking through his mother’s cloud of silence. 

“Please take your sister home; I need just a moment alone,” Ivy’s voice was a whisper, heavy with grief.

“Okay. You have to be strong, remember! I'll send another driver to get you,” he said. 

Justin pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, guiding Kendra away.

Ivy stood before Nate’s freshly covered grave, feeling as though a piece of her soul had been buried alongside him. All the laughter and peace they had shared had been stolen by someone who chose to cause him harm. But why? Ivy wondered, the questions weighing heavily on her heart.

The surrounding quiet was thick with sorrow, punctuated only by the soft rustle of the wind and the crisp rustling of dried leaves in the gentle autumn breeze. Before her lay a grave, a testament to the endless memories of their love.

“You left nothing but the memory of you, Nate. Why?” she murmured, her voice wavering, when suddenly a soft voice broke the silence behind her. 

“There are never answers, are there?” the person said as Ivy remained still.