Ginny hated funerals. They reminded her of burying her parents. Her mom died before she married Owen, but she had gotten to meet him at least. Her father performed the small ceremony for them. He had been so heartbroken after losing his wife that he died less than six months after her. It had been hard on Ginny to lose both of her parents in the same year. She had gone from a daughter to a wife to an orphan. After that, she felt a need to always protecting Robin.
Micah fussed in her arms as if he could sense everyone's distress. She hushed him, rocking him gently. She knew she was crying. She was very emotional these days. Her mother warned her that her heart would break more easily after she had children. She'd be fragile but strong. Her mother told her, "Though you may cry. That doesn't mean you aren't strong. It just means your heart has gotten bigger and sometimes you gotta let a little out." That was one of the last lessons her mother tried to teach her. She didn't know Patrick that well, but she knew he was a great man. Just the reaction from everyone had been enough to tell her. It never helped that she was a sympathetic crier as well.
In the past few days, a lot had been changing. Word got out that Ginny was a witch when it came to mending shoes. She had mended the boy's that night and made him a brand new pair because his were too small for his feet. After what seemed like a few hours of bargaining with Mr. and Mrs. Rogers, they traded her leather for two pairs of shoes. With the leather and a few other things, she found to use. She had made them each a pair before doing anyone else's.
Even with the grief all around town, someone would end up on their small door step to trade for mending or a new pair of shoes. She was already running low on supplies. At least now they would have more things to trade for more supplies.
There were still plenty of people who didn't trust them. But people seemed more willing to test them now. Ginny prayed it would last and they would not be blamed for this great man's death and kicked out. She sighed, closing her eyes for a moment. "Poor Evanne... Everything seems to be going to hell." She whispered to her brother and her husband. They were close enough to hear everything but far enough away that they could whisper and no one would notice.
She looked through the crowd of mourning people. She caught Juniper looking at them. She nodded to her, hoping to convey some sort of sympathy. She turned back to the front. "Juniper made it back just in time for the funeral. I don't think she even knew what had happened. Maybe... you should talk with her." Ginny said to her brother.
Unknowingly Evanne had started crying. She only noticed when Evelyn touched a tear rolling down her face. "Mumma..." Evelyn said. Evanne tried to smile at her daughter. "Momma's okay." She promised her. She kissed her forehead lightly.
Thankfully, the funeral seemed to be breaking up. Most would probably go over to Mrs. Clay's home to give their sympathies. Evanne wasn't sure if she could handle that. She just wanted to go home, to her own bed and sleep. Or... just not think about anything. It hadn't been lost on her that Noah hadn't visited her or even looked her way when she was at the funeral. Did he hate her now? Her mother had mentioned that he had been spending time with Evelyn when she was helping her dress this morning. Her mother told her as more of a way to get information out of her than to tell her how sweet it was.
Evanne told her mother nothing. She looked at Jamie. "Do you think you could take us home, Mr. Jamie?" She asked him tiredly.
Mrs. Remmington was over by her side now. "Are you sure you want to leave yet? If so, that's fine. I have your room all made up." She held her arms out to take Evelyn but she just clung to her mother.
"I meant my home, mom. I'm ready to go back to my home." Evanne said softly.
Her mother scoffed. "You are unfit to live on your own this soon. You won't be able to take care of my granddaughter."
"I can manage just fine. I'll send word if I need help okay? Just..., please. Let us go." Evanne said, looking away from her mother. Her mother had handed down a lot of cruelty over the years. She knew if she gave her mother an inch she'd take a mile. And Mrs. Remmington was not getting a mile in her or her daughter's life. Jamie didn't move, unsure what to do.