Something of the Boy was in There

They waited over a year until they finally had Ruthridge dig them a hole for their son. Surely if he was ever coming back he would have by now. Ruthridge attended the service and contemplated the hollow coffin lowered into its spot in the hole he dug as the sun rose and the birds awakened. He did not make the hole as wide or long but it was deep. He did not need the priest to tell him. The ground he knew should fit snug around the coffin. And even though it was empty, everyone would still act like something of the boy was in there.