Vendetta by Jennifer Moulton

was glaring at Dom. “What if they were able to perform it sooner?” he asked.
         “Yes, well, I felt that it was appropriate timing, what with the holiday on Monday and all. No reason other than wanting answers and personally seeing to the scheduling. It’s important to make sure these things go smoothly, yes?” Dom stared strangely at Mark for an awkward moment. “It was the soonest for the hospital staff anyhow. I’m only trying to help you.”
         Mark realized that he might have sounded a little rude. His pride reared its head… once again. He took a slow deep breath to calm himself. Perhaps he was overthinking the issue.
         “You’re right, who knows how long it could be before they are able to do it, anyway. That’s very helpful, thank you. Thanks for all you’ve done, it won‘t be forgotten.”
         “You’re welcome.” Dom smiled.
         Dom handed Mark some wrapped up tissues, and Mark put them in his jacket pocket. “Just in case you need them, there’s no shame in it.” Dom squeezed Marks shoulder. “This too, shall pass.”
         They walked into the waiting room to a sea of sobbing faces. Dom and Lucy left almost immediately.
         Mark went to Jen first and held her for a moment and spoke a few words of thanks to her parents. He told them about the autopsy coming up after the long weekend and to expect a funeral service the following weekend. Jen mentioned wanting to have a candle light vigil the following Tuesday, when school resumed, and he thanked her for her thoughtfulness. He knew Allie would’ve appreciated that.
         Mark felt emotionally detached, which felt a bit inappropriate to him. He was eerily calm. He felt phony and awkward talking to these worried and absolutely distraught people. He went through each conversation like he was reciting a rehearsed speech, person after person.
         “Thank you so much for your kind words, Allie would appreciate that. I’ll let everyone know as soon as I learn of anything new. I‘m very grateful, that she had you in her life. Thank you again for your condolences.” That was basically the speech in a nut shell.
         It was after midnight by the time everyone dispersed; all except for one.
         She sat huddled in the corner, looking out the window. Her legs were curled up to her chest, covered by her jacket. She turned her head to look at him as she wiped her reddened puffy eyes with a stiff napkin she’d gotten from the lobby’s coffee station.
         “Aw, shit, Jule’s? I didn’t see you there, I’m sorry. I would have come over sooner to speak with you as well,” Mark quickly walked over to her, offering her his hand as she sluggishly tried to stand.
         “I already know what you’re going to say, Mark, there’s no need for you to recite it all for me,” she smiled a half smile and stood to greet him. She got to her feet and looked into his eyes. Not caring what it may look like to anyone else, she wrapped her arms around him and hugged him.
         Mark felt compassion for her… and was reminded of how he oddly felt nothing for himself. He wondered if he were in shock, and thought that the normal grieving feelings would come soon enough.
         “ And Nick, is he here too?” Mark stepped away from Julie and pretended to look around. Mark hadn’t seen Nick since the party, back at Angelo’s Restaurant.
         “No, he’s not here. He took my car home to get some sleep. He drove your car here though, so you’d have it. He has an early morning but, wanted to give you his deepest condolences,” she shook her head and her brow crinkled, like she was annoyed by what she had just said.
         “Oh, I understand. That was… very thoughtful of him to bring my car. What about you, though? Do you need a ride home then?” Mark asked.
         What a peculiar thing to do, Mark thought. It was nice of his friend to bring his car, but to leave his wife