His voice grew quieter, and I couldn't make out what he said after that.

But it didn't matter.

There was no "after" for us. Whatever happened to Richard from now on, it had nothing to do with me.

"Dad, Mom..." I traced the outline of their photos on the gravestone, my tears falling harder with each passing second. So many things I wanted to say, but all I could manage was, "I miss you so much."

I missed them. I missed them both so ...