She was numb.  Despite the rain pelting on her skin and the wind coming off the ocean, she was numb.  She felt nothing, heard nothing.  All she could do is watch as the mahogany casket was lowered into the unforgiving earth.  Nothing was supposed to get in…No one was supposed to be able to break through the massive walls she had barricaded herself in.  Yet here she was numb.  Numb from tears.  Numb from pain.  How had this person been able to affect her this way?

Standing off to the side lost in her own pain, Shane barely recognized that someone was speaking to her.  “I’m sorry…what?”

“He asked about you in the end.”

“Oh?”  She paused unsure of what to say.  “I’m sorry I couldn’t have done more for him.”  Actually she regretted what she had done, she felt guilty for deceiving Anthony.

The old man gripped her hand and placed a wrapped parcel in it.  “It is a few items he wanted you to have.”

Startled Shane thrust the package back to Mr. Shelton.  “Not me.  Jack.  I won’t take that.”

Smiling, Mr. Shelton let out a small sigh.  “No Shane.  He wanted you to have it.  He knew you weren’t Jack, but he enjoyed the company.  He also thought it made me happy…a way to repent for my past sins.”  He smiled reassuringly at the brunette.  “He asked for you Shane.  Not Jack.”  Again the old man placed the parcel in her hands.  His eyes glistened with unshed tears.  “Don’t have regrets in life Shane.”  He turned to walk away, but looked back with a mischievous gin on his face.  “Remember what I told you.  If you ever need me I’ll be there.” 

The lanky woman watched the old man leave the cemetery, her eyes not moving from the limo as it pulled out of sight.  Inevitably she had to face her own sins in life and hoped that she would have half as much courage and conviction as Anthony’s father did.  Crossing the wet grass, Shane felt devoid of energy. 

In the last week she had lost two of the most important aspects of her life, her job and her home.  After the fire the apartment was destroyed.  She had been staying in Bette and Tina’s guest room for the last few days, but Al was coming home today and she would need a place to go.  There was only one guest room and there was no way she was going to take it over Alice.