It was supposed to rain. They went to the arboretum anyway. She wanted to see the peony garden where they were married.
It started to drizzle, then pour. Her son held an umbrella over her while she leaned down to sniff the battered but fragrant blooms already past their prime.
Lauren Budrow is an Assist. Professor of Mortuary Science.
Driving a hearse and singing “Another One Bites the Dust”, Vivian turns onto the country road, accelerates. She’s late and preoccupied with life, as a plume of dry earth trails behind.
At least she knows not to hum the refrain in front of the family at the grave this time.
Lauren is an Assistant Professor of Mortuary Science. She enjoys writing poetry that leans into short fictional fragments.