“Got a call from your grandmother about an hour ago. She tell you about the barbecue on Monday?”

“No.”

“It’s Memorial Day. Can’t believe it’s here already. I’ll be coming over in the afternoon. But I’ll be going to the cemetery with your grandmother in the morning for the military ceremony, and then we’re going to visit the family gravesites. Would you like to come with us?”

“Oh. I don’t know.” She frowned. She hadn’t been to the cemetery since—

“Just a thought,” Tom said, his voice casual. “Think about it.” He glanced over her shoulder. “Here’s Jake. Good. It’s time to do the milking.”

Annie turned to see Jake’s red truck coming up the gravel drive. “Well, nice talking with you, Tom. I’d better get back to help my grandmother with dinner.”

“The house still full of guests?”

“All week,” she replied distractedly. “She just hired another girl to help with the cooking and cleaning.”

“That Zelda sure is a go-getter,” Tom remarked.

Annie didn’t hear him. She watched as Jake parked the truck alongside the carriage house and switched off the engine. He stared at her through the windshield for a few moments before opening the driver’s door and stepping out. His expression was blank as he walked towards them.

“You’re still here,” he observed as he stopped a couple of feet away.

“I was just leaving,” she said hurriedly.

An excerpt from  Annie and Jake
Copyright © 2018 Margaret Desmond

This post is in response to the Daily Prompt: Ceremony