More mourning

Erika sat down against a tree and brought her knees to her chest, sobbing once more. She decided to be invisible again and cry as silently as before.

Mark heard the crying.
"Erika, are you here?" He whispered.

Erika looked up and she slowly became visible.
"Mm-hmm," She nodded, using her sleeve to wipe away the tears.

Mark held out the jar containing Noah's ashes.
"I was supposed to give these to Paul..but I don't think he minds if you spread him."

Erika managed a small and vague smile as she stood. She looked up at him.
"Thank you," And she gave him a small hug and looked at the ashes, tears welling up once more.

Mark hugged Erika.
"Come on, kid, let's get home." Mark said.

Erika nodded and sighed.
"Its just.. just that.. this is all thats left.."

"I know, kid, I know." Mark said, putting his arm around her, guiding her towards the bus stop.

Erika wrapped her free arm around him also, glad to have some sort of comfort.
"Are we heading home?" She asked.

Erika gave a half smile. Of course they were worried sick! Thats all they ever think about and it sometimes frustrated her.
"How does Paul feel as I do?" She asked out of curiosity.

Erika nodded.
"Yeah.. I just.. it seemed like it was finally falling into place, where we wouldn't go into huffs all the time and it would be... normal."

"Yeah, I know. But he's in a hell of a better place than us." Mark said.

Erika nodded.
"He is.. I just wish I was there with him a lot of the time."

"But what else is there to hold on to?" Erika asked, pain in her eyes.

Erika sighed, closing her eyes for a moment.
"I sure do hope so.." Erika replied quietly as she heard the bus approaching.

Mark sighed, shrugging.

Erika climbed onto the bus as it pulled up and she sat down. She put her head into her hand, tears streaming down her face again.

Mark got on the bus when it got there.

"Mark.. what am I supposed to do?" Erika looked up at him, pain and hurt in her eyes and the tears slowly fell and one dripped off her nose.