Proceeding from the Funeral Games: Rue

In the quiet town on the outskirts, the narrator leads a life that is as complex as it is ordinary. Living in a small rental, the narrator is barely keeping up with the rent, a constant struggle that weighs heavily on their mind.

One day, the narrator found themselves working at a local care home, their days filled with the quiet dignity of caring for those in need. But among the familiar faces, one person was conspicuously absent - their old stepmother, who now resides in a care home, not recognizing the narrator and not knowing her own name.

The narrator's life outside of work is marked by solitude. An hour spent at an event passed in silence, as the narrator stood alone, a spectator to the lives of others. Strangers told stories that the narrator had rehearsed in her own head, but the words never left her lips.

A turning point came when a younger staff member named Jo introduced herself to the narrator. Jo, with her gentle persistence, never pushed but kept asking and showing up. It was Jo who suggested the narrator start therapy, a decision that would prove to be life-changing.

Two years have passed since the narrator began therapy, and Jo has been a constant presence. The narrator's life has been punctuated by moments of connection, like the night they met outside after their shift, or the time Jo named the dog Rue, a gift the narrator received six months ago.

On one particular evening, Jo invited the narrator to an event. The car they travelled in had a faint scent of mint gum and old takeaway, and the narrator didn't ask where they were going. The performance ended, leaving no one to fight, but the night was far from over.

In the quiet moments that followed, the narrator, drunk on memory, shared with Jo about the dog she had imagined owning in Geneva. Jo, remembering this conversation, named the dog Rue.

As the narrator's life continues to unfold, they find solace in the simple things - a dog's loyalty, a friend's unwavering support, and the strength that comes from facing life's challenges head-on. And while the road ahead may still be uncertain, the narrator takes each step with a newfound resilience, guided by the memories of the past and the promise of a brighter future.

In the search for clarity, the narrator finds themselves at a crossroads, but with Jo by their side, they navigate the twists and turns with courage and determination. And as they continue to move forward, they hold onto the hope that one day, they will find the peace they so desperately seek.