One day, I was able to identify the person who had been constantly throwing eggs at the gravestone of my husband, and it came dangerously close to destroying my life.
I used to go to my husband’s grave every Sunday in order to feel close to him. However, I finally stopped going after seeing raw eggs smashed against his gravestone. When I found the culprit in the act, I was saddened to realize that it was someone I trusted above all others. Initially, I thought it was a cruel joke, but when I caught them in the act, I immediately stopped them.
The passing of my spouse, Owen, occurred exactly one year ago. It came as a surprise to me. With no prior notice, there is no time to get ready. A abrupt heart attack took him away from me. I was caught off guard. After a relationship that lasted for twenty-five years, they vanished in an instant.
I had the impression that I had been strolling through fog for a number of months. Every single thing was excruciating. Although I made an effort to keep my cool for the sake of our children, I was actually breaking down on the inside. When I was younger, I would go to his tomb on Sundays. Intimacy with him became a routine for me, and I found myself looking forward to it.
A peaceful atmosphere prevailed at the cemetery. Do not speak up. As well as the weekly arrangement of flowers that I delivered, Owen and I were there. I was so close to being able to breathe there. Over the course of three months, however, something transformed.
It seemed to me that I was witnessing things for the very first time. The shells of eggs.” Owen’s gravestone had a yellow yolk covering the base of the plaque.
“Why would anyone do something like this?” While I was squatting down to wipe it, I whispered to myself under my breath. It was a terrible scam perpetrated by some children, and I kept looking behind me to see if it was true.
My initial assumption was that it would just require a single cleaning. However, it happened once more two weeks after the initial occurrence. There were at least six eggs in this particular instance. Breaking the stone and dripping down the surface. I attempted to clean it once again, but the experience caused my heart to hurt.
My attempt to obtain assistance from the staff at the cemetery was unsuccessful.
I alerted the man who was working behind the desk that there had been some vandalism at the cemetery where my spouse was laid to rest. It was obvious that he was bored: he scarcely looked up.
In addition, he stated, “You have the ability to file a report,” while simultaneously slipped a clipboard in my direction.
What else is there? Are you sure you don’t have any cameras with you? I made a request.
A headshake was given by him. This is not the case in the more recent parts. I am sorry for this.
Despite the fact that I was aware that it would not be of any use, I went ahead and filed the report.
As soon as I found eggs for the third time, I completely broke down in tears. No attempt was made on my part to conceal it. What was even more unsettling than the filth was the feeling that Owen was being singled out, even after he had passed away.
What exactly is it that you want from him? The graveyard was completely empty when I yelled into it. I could hear my own voice coming back to me.
Unfortunately, I was unable to get to sleep the night before the anniversary of his passing. I was unable to shake the image of Owen from my mind. I could feel the way he used to laugh and hold my hand while we strolled together. I could also hear his giggle.
Five o’clock in the morning was the moment when I reached my breaking point. My choice to go to the graveyard was made after I had retrieved my coat. Despite the fact that the sun had not yet risen, the entire globe appeared to be absolutely still.
Upon getting closer to his tomb, I came to a complete stop.
The shells of eggs.” There are lots of new ones all over the place. And a number as well.
During the time when they were standing close to the stone, they were holding into something. It’s some egg. My chest tightened up, and I found myself unable to breathe. A piercing sound could be heard in the quiet morning air as the egg shattered against the stone.
Hi there! In the midst of my screams, my voice was shaking. “What it is that you are doing?”
Although the individual tightened up, they did not move at all. As I ran toward them, my heart was beating quite fast.
This caused me to catch my breath as they slowly twisted.
Who is Madison? When my sister looked back at me, her face was pale and her eyes were wide open. Additionally, she was still clutching an egg despite the fact that her fingers were shaking.
The question “Why are you here?” was uttered in a tone that was distinct and low.
Yes, you! I can’t control my fury. This is something that you have been doing all along!
Her expression became contorted. “You are not capable of comprehending.”
“Give me a chance,” I implored, taking a slight step forward.
She laughed with a bitter tone. What do you think of the fact that he was perfect? The loyal spouse and the selfless parent. That man has been keeping you in the dark for many years.
I am curious as to what you are talking about. I was unable to speak.
My own eyes were penetrated by Madison’s gaze. We had a romantic relationship with one another. It’s been five years Emma. Twenty-five years. I was given reassurances about everything, including a future and financial security. When Dad went away, however, I was left with nothing. Absolutely not a single dime. Everything that was done was done for you and your cherished children.
I had the impression that the ground had disappeared from beneath me.
I mumbled. “No,” I said. You are telling a lie.
She retorted, “Am I?” in response. Consider conducting an investigation into his will. You will see it.
Although my hands were shaking, I continued to look at her. “By what means did you manage to do this? So, to me? As for him?
Suddenly, her tone grew frigid. According to me, you have no authority to judge me. Both of us were deceived by him. Despite his assurances, he did not keep them.
I had no ability to communicate. It was difficult to get the words out.
Madison did not intervene and allowed the egg to fall to the ground. Emma, you have always been the one who has everything. An ideal life, complete with the perfect partner. In spite of everything, he was not perfect.
I watched her walk away while her comments continued to resonate in my ears.
As I sat on the damp ground close to Owen’s tomb, my thoughts were rushing back and forth constantly. Madison’s comments were like keen razors in their appearance. We had a romantic relationship with one another. Twenty-five years. It seems incomprehensible that she would have spoken something so revolting. It is incomprehensible that she would suggest that I had been fooled in such a manner by the individual whom I had placed my trust in, loved, and founded my life with.
Nevertheless, doubts started to come to the surface.
When I thought of Owen, I immediately thought of his many last-minute work trips, which were frequently accompanied by a fuzzy reason. The phrase “It’s work, Em” would be uttered by him, and he would smile at me with ease. He had never been the subject of any inquiry from me. I don’t see why! He was my partner in life.
Subsequently, the phone calls arrived. There were occasions when he would go outside and explain that it was “just a client,” but his voice was soft and hushed through the entire conversation.
As well as Madison. Owen and she have always shared a tight relationship. Overly close? The fact that she used to laugh at his jokes, even the ones that I found annoying, was something that I recalled as well. Whenever she was under the impression that no one was looking, she would pat his arm.
I was adamant that I would not believe it and shook my head.
The pain in my chest increased as I looked at the gravestone that bore Owen’s name. Is it true that you lied to me? It was a mumble. The question is, “Did I ever really know you?”
As Madison stormed out of the room, she was hardly visible to my eyes. My attempt to call after her was unsuccessful, and she did not turn around. As I scrubbed away the yolk and shells with my trembling hands, I spent a substantial amount of time in the vicinity of the grave. I scraped it into the point where the only thing that was left was the smooth stone.
My daughter Carly, Madison’s daughter, and I went to the grocery store the following afternoon to meet up with each other. It seemed as though she was taken aback by my presence, and she was carrying a basket full of vegetables.
At that moment, she grinned and responded, “Aunt Emma.” It is “How are you?”
It was a pause. The phrase “I’ve been better”
She smiled less broadly. Aren’t we talking about the afterlife? My mother informed me of what had taken place.
It was a deep breath that I took. The question is, “Carly, were you aware… about your mother and Owen?”
She scowled, her face displaying a perplexed expression. What do you know?
I uttered, “She said they… had an affair,” in a voice that was so practically audible that it was almost detectable.
Carly’s eyes widened in shock as she took in the information. So, what? No. It was the first time I ever heard her say something like that.
She claims that it lasted for a combined total of five years. However, he did not fulfill his commitment to pay her money. The moment my voice began to crack, I halted.
As the conversation continued, Carly’s expression shifted from one of confusion to one of incredulity. Hold on to me. Have you heard that from your mother? She has never mentioned having an affair in any of her statements. In no way. In all honesty, Aunt Emma, that does not appear to be even remotely similar to Uncle Owen.
I fixed my focus on her. Are you absolutely certain? It seemed as though she was completely confident. That he had lied to both of us, she asserted.
It was Carly who let out a sigh. “Aunt Emma, Mom has been complaining about this for years. Obviously, you are aware of that. It was always her assertion that you had everything: a stable life, a respectable husband, and the perfect family on your side. She appears to have been handed the short end of the stick, if that is the case.
“Does she feel envious?” I inquired with a trace of remorse in my heart.
A nod was given by Carly. “Yes, but it’s not fair since… In her opinion, it is the case. I, on the other hand, never saw her or Uncle Owen engage in any kind of conversation. Not even once. If there had been something going on, I believe that I would have been aware of it.
I drew back my lip. Is it truly the case?
An emphatic nod was given by Carly. “This is a given. Possibly, Mom is saying this in an effort to make you feel even worse. Despite the fact that I despise having to say it, that wouldn’t surprise me at all.
As I glanced at her, I was having trouble determining whether I should feel comforted or more bewildered.
Carly made contact with my arm for a moment. “You had a deep affection for Uncle Owen, didn’t you?”
I felt a tightening in my throat as I nodded.
“Then put that in your possession,” she whispered in a very low voice. “Don’t give your mother the power to take that away from you.”
In the later hours of that day, I observed an old photograph of Owen and me while sitting in my living room. With a grin on his face, he had his arm wrapped around my shoulders. It appeared that we were quite happy.
There is a possibility that Madison was lying. It’s possible that she wasn’t. I would never be able to say for sure. With that being said, I could not allow her animosity to spoil the memories I have of Owen.
Before making my decision, I thought about how much our children adored their father. At the same time that Madison was making an effort to represent him as someone else, they deserved to remember him as the father who loved them.
I took a deep breath and wiped a tear from my eye before continuing.
“Goodbye, Madison,” I whispered in a quiet voice as I walked away. He is not going to be taken away from me by you.
On Sunday of the following week, I went back to the cemetery to pay my respects. I brought the fresh flowers that I had brought with me and laid them by Owen’s grave. As a result of the air being quiet and motionless, I experienced a sense of calm for the first time in several months.
Did you find this tale to be enjoyable?
