Survival Of The Fittest

It was her first ever time at a cemetery.

She didn’t really know what to think when it came down to it.

She was dressed in a long black sleeved funeral dress and flats, wearing a beanie to cover her bright orange hair. She was standing in front of the group, off to the side while overlooking the casket. She didn’t go to church. Her family wasn’t the religious types, and any time her dad had to go to church off a police sponsored event, she would opt out.

She regretted that now.

She glanced to her left. She saw her mother, clutching a handkerchief against her face as she attempted to stifle any loud sobbing. She glanced to her right. There was her dad. A photo of him at least, on an easel. It was his portrait, the first he was given a badge. A proud smile plastered onto his face, with his police badge shining brightly against his chest. Her eyes drifted to the closed casket that was currently being lowered into the ground.

A lot of cops came. All from the cities department, even a few out of state. Guess dad made friends in his different precincts. They were all stoic, their hats off their heads and on their chests as a sign of respect as Burrows was finally finished with his speech. About bravery. About all the good deeds Charles Roberts gave for the community.

On some level, she knew Burrows was just being nice.

She can sense the looks some of the cops gave each other. She didn’t have to be an idiot to know what they were thinking:

This was inevitable.

She glanced down at the casket, now in the ground.

Charles Roberts. Father. Husband. Member of the Community

1976-2019

Meggy sprawled herself onto her bed, still wearing her funeral dress. She stared at her mattress as she laid face down, her blinds shut and her door opened shut and locked. Despite that, she can hear her mom talking to Burrows through the floor, focusing on their conversation.

Nancy was in the kitchen, placing her hands on the counter as her back was towards Burrows. Burrows sat at the table, saddened as he looked at Nancy. He sighed deeply.

“Nanc….listen. Words can’t describe to me how…sorry I am-”

“Is it true?” Nancy asked, her voice dull.

Burrows paused, lowering his gaze towards the fly “…we can neither confirm nor deny…anything regarding Charles’…the investigation has been halted temporarily considering everything…we’re planning on settling.”

Nancy slowly shook her head, clenching her eyes shut “I thought this would be better….after therapy…counseling….i thought we finally made headway and then this! I….” She lowered her head, her voice getting shaky “He was just starting to be a good husband…a good father.”

Burrows stood up slightly, stepping closer “Chuck was…he was going through some issues. He saw some shit, he…he was a good man, Nancy. He just made mistakes.”

“And now I have to pay for them.”

Burrows took a deep sigh “I’ll….I’ll make sure you and Meggy are provided for…anything you guys need or want, I’ll get it. And I’ll make sure nothing that Chuck did gets pushed back against you or her.”

Nancy released a chocked sob as she placed a hand over her face “Why did he do this, Johnny? Why did he do this?!”

Burrows stayed silent for a few moments, averting his gaze “I…I don’t know Nancy…I don’t know.”

Meghan had that question roll into her head as she laid on her bed.

Why did he do this?