Chapter 179

It was raining in Yardville the next day. I held Grandma's ashes and portrait, and with Lyla and Antoine by my side, we buried her. The rain was especially cold in winter. It felt like ice. As I felt the raindrops falling on my body, I felt an ache in my chest. Soon, Grandma's tombstone was erected. I was sitting next to it, and I reached out to touch it, but for some reason, I was afraid. Grandma used to feel soft and warm to the touch, but now, she was just ice cold. I closed my eyes and buried my head in my knees. Lyla was shielding me from the rain with an umbrella, and she said tearfully, "Eve, if you feel sad, just cry. Okay?" Cry? I wanted to, but I just couldn't. The rain was getting heavier and heavier. The raindrops hit the black umbrella with a thud. It had never rained so heavily in Yardville in winter. It was as if the entire city was feeling gloomy. "You guys can leave first." I looked up at Lyla and Antoine. "Thank you for staying with me for the past two days. It