An Inheritance

Chapter 30 - FINAL

The heavy smell of flowers and the gentle, but insistent sound of music confronted Lauren as she and Danielle walked through the front door of the funeral home.   

"I don't think I should have come.  I really shouldn't be here."  Danielle spoke in a quiet tone. 

Grabbing her arm, Lauren steered her over into the foyer.  "You may not have to be here for Daddy, or even yourself, but you have to be here for Gracie." 

"We could have met her later, you know, we didn't have to come to the service." 

"Yes, we both did, and you know it.  Now come on."  Still holding her sister's arm, she approached the black sleek counter attended by a young woman impeccably dressed in a navy blue suit. 

The receptionist smiled gently.  "May I help you?" 

"We're looking for the service for Conrad Girard." 

The woman scanned a sheet of paper in front of her.  "That is being held in our Oak Room.  You can find that down the hall to your right, last door.  The service should begin in about five minutes." 

"Thank you, we appreciate it."  They turned to the right and proceeded slowly down the hall, walking around small huddled groups of people speaking in hushed tones. 

They stopped when they realized they were coming up onto the Oak Room.   

"I think that must be Gracie at the door to the chapel; the one talking to that elderly lady."  Lauren nodded her head towards a pretty young woman bending down grasping the hand of a woman in a wheel chair.  As she straightening up, she motioned for the woman's companion to go on inside, then raised her head and her eyes met Lauren's. A small shy smile played on her lips as she headed towards the two sisters. 

"You must be Danielle and Lauren?"  Seeing them nod in agreement, she excitedly put her arms around them and gave them a hug.  Then standing back, she seemed to search their faces for their reactions. 

"We are so happy to get this chance to meet you."  Danielle said sincerely and she stepped forward to give Gracie another, more warm hug, with Lauren following suit. 

"Daddy said you would be here, I'm glad he was right."  She gestured toward the chapel.  "He just wanted a small ceremony, nothing fancy, that wasn't his way.  I hope you'll both sit next to me.  It's just about time, do you want to go in?" 

"Of course, whatever you want".  Lauren nodded and grasped her hand.  The three of them entered the chapel and walked towards the front.  They found the first row pew, and Gracie  seated herself between Danielle and Lauren.   

Lauren sat back and let her eyes wander over an altar that was prominently placed in the middle of the raised platform.  It was covered with various sized pictures with flowers interwoven around and between them.  Some pictures were only of her father; a few taken when he must have been in his early forties while others represented him in his later years.  She was drawn to a few pictures showing her father with a tall slender woman whom she presumed was his wife, Helga.  She was pretty in a wholesome way; short, dark, curly hair framed her face and there was always a soft smile across her lips.  They appeared very happy and although Lauren didn't like herself for it, she felt slightly jealous.   

A few minutes later a minister came in and went directly to Gracie, she quietly introduced him to the sisters, then he walked up to the podium.   

The minister gave a short prayer, then continued with stories and background that had been Conrad Girard's life, at least the one that Gracie had known.  A God fearing man, a hardworking man, a wonderful husband and an equally wonderful father.  As each accolade was spoken, Lauren mentally cringed and fought hard to keep her mind from thinking of all those years her father had caused so much heartache.