Olivia Graham was twenty-two when she started a whirlwind romance with charismatic Jakob overseas.
By age twenty-five, Liv was back home and checking off the widowed box on paperwork. With zero plans, Olivia and beloved dog Snuggles find themselves...
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You never know how you'll react to your spouse's death until it happens. For the past three hours, I made arrangements and signing documents to dispose of my husband's body. I can't fathom this; Jake and I weren't in a good place, but this is not what I imagined. How could I?
Stepping out of the funeral home and into the bright sun, it's as if I find myself in an alternate reality.
The air conditioner was on full blast, and while the funeral director was kind, I had a strong urge to punch her in the throat as she used the words "cremains" to discuss how I would take Jake home following the memorial.
Outside, birds are chirping, and the earth is warm, and I can't recall feeling so relieved to have something behind me.
"Thanks, JoJo," I tell my sister-in-law as we reach her car.
"Of course, what else needs to be done?"
I shake my head, "No idea, but I'll make a list."
"I'll check on you later." She wrap me up in a big hug, and we exchange I love yous before parting.
I stop at the grocery store on my drive home because I'm in desperate need of some basics. The cart's wheel noisily clatters until I kick it with the side of my shoe. I wipe the handle with a sanitizing wipe, then head to the produce section.
