She wrapped her arms tighter around her mother, making sure to keep her steps slow and steady, as much for her sake as Iris’s. They needed this preparation, even if only a few extra seconds of silence.

“Have I ever been here?” Iris spoke in a panicked whisper on the cusp of confusion. “Nothing looks familiar.”

“It’s okay, Mommy,” Deven said. “You’re here now and that’s what matters. This is important.”

That seemed to relax Iris a little, but Deven felt the tears welling and she willed herself to keep her composure. She had hoped for a good day from her mom, but so far that hadn’t proven to be the case. Maybe it was a little selfish, but a good day would mean she and her mom could share this weight of grief. It ached having to suffer this alone. Again, Felicia’s voice calmed her. “It’s not better to live in the unknown. That would mean forgetting about the person entirely which is even more excruciating. Because there is someone who had an effect on your life, and you can’t even remember them or how much they loved you.” She had to swallow her sobs. It was a good thing her mom’s nurse, Jan, was waiting patiently in the car. But Deven would handle this one as best she could. They needed this moment.

A hand rested on top of hers and squeezed, tender and encouraging. Deven looked to Paul on the other side of her mom, both of their hands on her back to guide and support. He was smiling at her now which prompted her own appreciative smile in return. “Thank you,” Deven mouthed over her mother’s head.

She had to admit, she was surprised when Paul offered to accompany them to the cemetery. Things were still up in the air with them and Deven hadn’t wanted to give him the wrong idea. Since Justin was out of the picture, she didn’t need another boyfriend. She needed a friend. When she relayed that to him, she figured his discontentment would ensure he left, for good this time. But he hadn’t. He was here when she, and her mom, needed him most. And that friendship was enough. For now.

They continued weaving through the headstones, three figures adorned in black like shadows. Deven had made the trip so many times alone, so as foreign as it felt, automatic pilot kicked into gear. She knew the plots without looking and her legs propelled her forward to the tree near the fence. Underneath its low-hanging branches were two headstones. One was where her father rested.