Calvin Gilbert died at the scene.
Nora Gilbert was badly injured.
Fortunately, after emergency treatment at the hospital, her life was no longer in danger.
But when she learned her husband was dead, she wept uncontrollably, passing out several times.
I stayed at the hospital caring for her for two weeks.
The question she asked most often during that time:
"Where's my daughter?"
I never gave her a straight answer.
Until today.
I had just finished cleaning out her bedpan and was walking back into the room.
She dropped to her knees with a heavy thud.
"Luther, ever since you married into our family..."
"I've treated you like my own son."
"Please. I'm begging you. Tell me what happened to my daughter."
"Why can't I get through when I call her?"
"Ask her coworkers."
"They all said she quit a long time ago."
"What exactly happened between you two?"
I hurried to help my mother-in-law up.
There was no hiding it anymore.
I let out a long sigh. "Mom, Patricia... she passed away from breast cancer. Her body was cremated, and her ashes were scattered at sea, just like she wanted."
"Wh-what?"
My mother-in-law froze, staring at me in disbelief.
I wiped my eyes and choked out an explanation.