"Wayne, thank you for coming. It means so much to me," she manages to say, her hurt smile pasted onto her lips.
     He grasps her hand and squeezes it. "You know there is no place I'd rather be, Melinda." He clears his throat. "I'd like you to meet my wife, Genevieve Tithing. Genevieve, this is the Melinda Gardenia I've been telling you so much about."
     Genevieve takes both of Melinda's hands in hers. "I am deeply sorry for your loss, Melinda. I wish we were meeting under more pleasant circumstances."
     Melinda nods her head quickly. "Yes, thank you…" She stops. She has nothing else left to say.
     Wayne turns to his wife, putting one hand gently on her back. "Genevieve would you mind so much if I sat with Melinda during the service?"
     "Of course not," Genevieve responds quickly. "I see the service is about to get started. I'll find myself a seat and leave the two of you to sit." She takes Melinda's hand again in her own and squeezes it tightly. "Be brave, dear. It's almost over."
     Melinda continues to smile and watches her turn away and find a spot in a pew in the back. She says nothing to Wayne. She sits down in the first pew and stares straight ahead, watching the priest prepare to give his sermon. Wayne takes her hand and she doesn't resist. 'Just get me through this,' she prays. 'Dear God get me through this!'