Tears fell without stopping as I knelt at her graveside, my hands pressed into the fresh turned earth where Beatrice now forever lay. Fear took hold in the pit of my stomach and would not let go. What was I to do? Where was I to go now? There were bills that had to be paid, including the funeral service, and I was firmly determined not to take charity. I was young and able. Surely there was some way to make some money to care for myself.

Snow began to fall again as I stood wiping my hands on my skirt. Turning I made my way from the cemetery. I glanced around and was surprised to see in the distance a lone figure standing under the boughs of a large tree watching me.