A Day For A Funeral

It was a gloomy day and a bit chilly −a perfect day for a funeral if that was possible−as Ruth sat on the folding chair, staring at the casket a few feet from her. She recalled, her grandfather always treated her as a grown up and shared many good times with her. A tear rolled down her cheek, but she wanted to smile, knowing shortly they would lay her grandfather to rest beside the love of his life, her grandmother. Since his heart attack, she had visited him daily at the Mountaineer Nursing Home. He loved telling her stories about the ghost on Putney Mountain, the loud muffled screams in the day and the lights at night. Sometimes he talked about the secrets of Howardsville and promised one day to divulge them to her. However, he passed away before he had that opportunity. Ruth’s desire to know the secrets compelled her to search for the truth about them.
Looking around, she saw several people who came to say good-bye some dressed in black, others appeared to be in a party mood and dressed as such. She didn’t know if they had come to pay their respects to the manager of the Eastern Auto Parts Store, or if they wanted to make sure the old man was dead. Even though he had warned them about the activities on the mountain, they ignored him, but still blamed him for their losses.
It was time to leave when someone announced, “This now completes the service for Bert Bishop. ”
After sitting there for forty minutes without hearing a single word the minister said or being conscious of shaking hands with anyone, it was time to be alone. Stumbling across the grass to the black 55 Chevy Classic her grandfather gave her for graduation When Ruth no longer could control her tears, she sat in the car, sobbing, asking w...

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...ll have questions and would love to know where to find theanswers?”
Without saying a word, Max walked over to three different tables and whispered something to the ladies before handing Ruth’s order to the cook.
After waiting several minutes, Max served her lunch pausing to ask if she wanted something else.
“I asked a question, but didn’t get an answer, but would still like one.”
“There’s not much to tell you, but the ladies over there said if you’re looking for information about our town, you should visit the Women’s Club. They’re having a special luncheon today and the mayor’s wife is their speaker. The president of the club knows everything and can give you the nasty details about everyone in town.”
“Thanks, I’ll stop by before I leave town. It might take time, but I’ll find out what’s going on up here and expose the secrets of Howarsville,” Ruth promised.