The Fall

"You don't have to go on with the details if this is difficult for you," Melvin said quietly and stood up to leave the room, but she reached out and held his hand to keep him from leaving.

"I think I need to talk about it. I haven't talked about it since the incident. You should know about it," Melanie said in a calm tone that belied the turmoil going on inside her. 

Melvin's phone started ringing as he returned to his position beside his mother. He glanced down at it before returning his attention to his mother, "It's dad."

"You should take the call," Melanie said in an expressionless tone. She still had to process all Todd had said about the empty grave. She wasn't sure she wanted to look into Alvin's face until she got the facts together. 

"I'm with her," Melvin said the moment he accepted the call. 

"How is she doing? I hope she is getting enough rest?" Alvin asked in a very concerned voice that tugged at Melanie's heart.