Unspoken

It was cold even though the rain had ended and the sun now peeked out from behind the clouds.  In Wisconsin the coldest days were always the sunniest.

His father came up from behind him.  “Farmer’s Almanac says it’s going to be a wet winter," he remarked.

Jonah nodded, lost in an abstraction.  “It's nice, isn't it?" his father said, gesturing toward the headstone.

"Yeah.  It turned out well."

"Used them for your grandparents--they did a good job then, too.  Very reliable." 

The two men stood silently for a moment, considering the engraving job.  Jonah was about to comment on the etched flower in the corner when his father told him, "I'm moving to Florida."

Jonah looked over at him.  “You are?  When?”

“Tomorrow.  No point in staying here.  The realtor says I’ll make a mint on the house, and I have a condo down there.  Bought it with your mother right before she got sick.”  His father cleared his throat.  “Be nice if you could visit.  The condo has a guestroom.  You’re welcome to use it.”

“Thanks.”

His father nodded.  “Okay, then.  Tell Jackie I said goodbye.”

“You’re not going to tell him yourself?”

“He’s busy tonight.  Something about a poker game, and I didn’t get a chance to tell him before that.  The movers are coming Saturday.  You mind checking in, to make sure they’re doing things right?”

“…Okay.”

“Maybe you can come in April.  April’s real nice there—not too humid.  We could go to Disneyworld, or Universal Studios.  Always wanted to take you boys there when you were young, but...”  His father cleared his throat again.  “Okay, then.  Talk to you soon.” 

“Talk to you soon,” Jonah echoed.  He watched his father shuffle off to the parking lot before he returned his attention to the headstone.  Beloved mother and wife, it read.  Strange how something so true could sound so meaningless at the same time.