Love Is Like Dead Ashes

Right as they wheeled Mom into the cremator, Dad's phone rang.

From the sound of the voice it was a woman, quite young.

A young woman's voice came through. "Frank, is that bitch toasted yet? I've already moved my stuff in."

Dad couldn't hide his excitement.

He told me, "Jessica, Stephanie's moving in. You deal with your mom's ashes. I need to get home and cook for Stephanie."

I thought to myself, "Look, Mom, the man you bent over backwards for all your life can't even be bothered to collect your ashes. But I will."

Mom, you were the only light I had. And yet, you betrayed me.