Mom was buried here–her final homecoming.
After Mom died, Dad had told her:
“Sophia, honey, our roots are in Montana. I need to bring your mother home.”
Sophia had grown up hearing stories about their hometown but had never been.
When Dad said they were going back, she felt something stir inside her.
Whatever he needed, she’d support him completely.
The moment they arrived, the landscape stole her breath.
Rolling meadows, grazing cattle, mountains that seemed to touch the sky–like something out of a dream.
Dad showed her the old family ranch and buried Mom on the hill overlooking the valley.
Before leaving, he taught her to ride horses.
“Sophia, when I get old, I want to come back here. Be with your mother.”
After saying that, just few months, the Alzheimer’s diagnosis came.
Maybe it was a blessing. Now he could be with Mom in his mind.
They walked over a small rise to a simple headstone.
Then here, Mom’s grave,
The local traditions included sky burial, cremation, ground burial, tower burial, and tree burial.
But Dad had lived in the city most of his life. After Mom died, instead of following local customs, he’d had her cremated in the city and brought her ashes home to bury here.
Seeing Mom’s photo on the small headstone, Dad’s whole face changed.
He slowly stood from his wheelchair and walked to the grave, reaching out to gently touch Mom’s picture.
Then he looked at Sophia.“Grace lives in here?”
Sophia glanced at the sky and then answered: “Yes, Mom’s resting here.”
Dad brushed dust off the photo with trembling fingers.
00:18
Ride or Die vs Fated Encounter? Fill solo This Love Daniel
Chapere 23
He whispered: “Such a small space. Is she comfortable?”
The question hit Sophia like a punch to the chest.
“I think so. I light candles for her all the time. If she’s not comfortable, she can… find a better place.” She didn’t know how to answer that, so she just mentioned what she did to honor Mom.
“Good. That’s good.” Her Dad kept whispering
Then he knelt by the headstone and pressed his forehead against Mom’s photo, like he was embracing her.
Watching him like this broke Sophia’s heart.
She stayed close, ready to help if he need.
Sut surprisingly, Dad remained calm and lucid the entire visit–like his old self.
Sack home, he spoke normally for the first time in months.
He asked: “Sophia, what’s the deal with Lucas and Nathan?”
The question caught her off guard, bringing a familiar ache.
Dad, that’s over. All of it.”
he didn’t want complications with either man. They’d both hurt her enough.
And with her condition…She had no business messing up anyone else life,
e heard Dad’s voice: “But you and Lucas were so good together…”
te his illness, in his clear moments Dad remembered everything.
That’s in the past. Dad, can we not talk about this?”
he didn’t need marriage to be complete. Being alone was fine.
Jad sighed and let it drop: “Alright. As long as you’re sure,”
A knock suddenly interrupted them: “Dr. Williams? Are you home?”
