Memento by Gary Hewitt.

 

He collects the old blanket and tucks the material under his arm.

“Aren’t you going to throw it out?”

He struggles to contain rising anger.

“No I‘m not.”

“I’m not having that old rag in our house.”

He glares. She looks down.

“Listen, I haven’t got much to remember her by.”

“Fine, you do what you want.”

She storms away. He dabs the corners of his eyes. He can’t believe how she fell away. She was walking around the house with no problems last week yet now she’s gone. They were all in shock, even his heartless wife. He knew she was hurting though.

“Look love, maybe I’ll get rid of it later but not right now.”

She comes back and hands her husband a mug of tea. She’s lost count how many she’s made in the last few days.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have snapped,” she says.

They embrace.

“We’re all on edge.”

“God, what are we going to do with all her food? We’ve got tons of it.”

“I’ll have a word with Emily. I’m sure she’ll use it.”

“I expect your right. We can give her the other stuff as well.”

He nods.

“Might as well, it’s no use to us anymore.”

“Where are we going to put this blanket?”

“Well, it needs a good wash. I know you want it to remember her by but wouldn’t it be good if we gave that to Emily as well? I mean, she would put it to good use. Let’s be honest, it’d only sit in the airing cupboard.

He sighs.

“I suppose you’re right.”

She takes his hand.

“It’s for the best. Oh, that reminds me. The vet rang and said we should be able to collect her ashes at the end of the week.”

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