The Cost of a Funeral

Kate stared out the patio door window barely noticing her kids playing on the swing set. Her plan was to keep her illness from them as long as she could. She was sure Tim hadn't noticed her worried smile as he kissed her on his way out the door.

Things had been so different the first time. Tim's job in a prestigious law firm included all the perks. Life was good financially and they didn't have a care in the world, but Tim hated his job. Twelve long years of late suppers and thankless clients. The bills were paid and life was comfortable and worry free, but Tim had become irritable and withdrawn as he sank into depression.

Kate smiled as her mind wandered back to Tim's excitement the day he opened the doors to his dream job. A lawyer by trade, his passion was woodworking and creating beautiful furniture by hand. These last five years had re-energized him. He was spending quality time with the kids and the man she had fallen in love with had returned. Money was tight, but he was the happiest she'd seen him in a long time.

Kate jumped as the phone rang. She grabbed the receiver and held it next to her ear. The conversation was short and to the point. Her worst fears were confirmed.

There had been no hesitation the first time. Everything had been covered by insurance, but that was in a different lifetime. This time her cancer was a pre existing condition and the doctor had found two tumors. This would wipe out Tim's emergency savings for sure and would probably end in bankruptcy. Tears began to slide down her face.

Angry voices screamed from the TV set sitting on the kitchen counter. A large crowd had gathered to show their opposition to health care reform and some carried signs with images of hatred and fear. Everyone cheered as a man standing in front of a podium vowed to stop this bill from passing. She'd get no sympathy from any of those people.

Kate might have been with them if the lump hadn't appeared a month ago. Now she understood what was at stake and how it was going to affect her family. The people protesting feared change and Kate feared dying. She knew she had waited too long, but it couldn't be helped. The extra money for a doctor's visit just wasn't there at the time. Where would the money come from to pay for treatments. The house had been refinanced two years ago, so that wasn't a possibility. Life was going to become more complicated, unless....

Happy screams pulled her attention back to the kids. She drew a deep breath as she made her decision. Tim and the kids would be alright. This is a secret she'd keep to herself. A funeral would cost less and make life easier in the long run for Tim. At least her life insurance would pay for it.