Though they were not close in years, the brothers were as close in life as they were in death. Thick as thieves, some might even say. They were all just one big happy family
Being Morticians, their knack for seeking out wives left a big hole in their lives. They took this in stride. Their life was the one their daddy started and shared with them, they never complained and just seemed content with the scheme of things.
Having lost his wife when the three boys were still small, Malachi moved his family and Mortuary buisness into a small town just on the Virginia, Carolina border.
Matthew the oldest boy, had already started learning the business, helping and working alongside his father after school. The ghoulish job of preparing the dead for burial, never really seemed to bother him. He played at his fathers feet as a very small lad, in the very room the deceased were washed, embalmed, and made ready to be returned back to their homes for their viewing.
Matthew would often accompany and help his father. From start to finish it was a tedious, and gruesome job . He thought the whole thing barbaric, especially the viewing. It all seemed so impersonal.
No one seemed to notice, when Matthew took over and Martin was now old enough to be his only helper. Malachi was just no longer there, so be it!
As the years passed; eventually it was time for Martin to step back, and Malcom the youngest, and last of the sons to now be head of the house and waning business.
Another Funeral Parlor moving into town brought big changes. It was large enough to have the viewings right there. This was new to the town and they liked the idea of the... Less fuss, Less mess...deal. The extra expense was worth it.
Malcom's business seemed to be falling apart. They were forgotten by the town, until the neighbors started to complain about the decaying condition the house was already showing.
Mail had been collecting and spilling onto the broken down porch, when the sheriff began kocking on the door. Days of no response, finally brought a court order to enter the house.
The dusty drapes were all drawn through out the house. Three of the upstairs bedrooms held the remains of Malachi, Matthew and Martin. Each was suited up in their finest and layed in the middle of their beds, which was adorned with the same soft satin that lined the finest caskets...Malcom was found layed out in the exact fashion as the others, in the only downstairs bedroom. He patiently awaited the sleep of death that would reunite him with his family.
The four are now sharing a common plot in the towns old and neglected cemetery known as Potter's Field. No head stone marks their resting place.
Submitted by: Nada Blanchard
Background by: Nancy
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