#688
"Friends and neighbors, let me start this service over, we got sidetracked with unexpected interruptions. My name is Tessee Evangaline Linderman Branch. my parents were Marcus Linderman and Clora Hanson Linderman."
Tess swept her eyes over the assembled group. "A broken down soldier with severe PTSD and an old maid with a 'fix-it attitude'. Is it any wonder we are so unique. I had four living brothers and their families that perished in the blast. I am saddened beyond belief at their deaths."
Gilelle interrupted at this point, muttering under her breath that this fat cow was not providing a dignified and respectful enough service to benefit Mark and his prominence in the world.
Giselle spoke in French, forgetting Tes was the same person who spoke and understood flawless French, courtesy of Grandpa Warren.
"Better to be a fat cow than a dried up wrinkled old hag dripping bitterness over what could have never been." Tess snapped back, in French, as Giselle got up and rushed out of the room.
"Pardon," Tess returned to her remarks, telling the world of the love between her parents and their children. The organist played the Doxology softly as the service concluded. Many people were left unsatisfied, as they had hoped to hear salacious details of Mark's younger years and Clora's unusual abilities. A prince being there, caused all sorts of twittering among the ladies of the church as they put out fellowship coffee and cookies in the basement fellowship hall.
It was a sobering drive away from the church, as the people had to pass the blown out remains of the Linderman house, all roped off with yellow police tape and a deputy on duty to prevent looters.
Six hours later, the day had been concluded and the limo was taking the Branch family home to D.C. Woody felt in his suit coat pocket for the letter Tess had given him for safekeeping.
The letter simply asked that Tess call the prince's private secretary's number if they received any urns, that the problem had not been solved. Tess sighed hard and stuck the letter in her purse.
The team of lawyers had been busy, sorting out the different families' wills, probates, properties and lack of wills. The Linderman name kept popping up on land deeds all over the country. The only land that Tess wouldn't authorize to be sold was the valley with the caves in Washington.
That valley had meant so much to Mark, she couldn't part with it. The valley held powerful, emotional memories for Tess, and she smiled sadly as she recalled her life there.